Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan’s new trilateral defence pact formalises an alternative Middle East security architecture, the US’ line in the sand on membership of its AI ‘Pax Silica’ supply chain initiative, Chile’s ambitions to revitalise its embattled state miner Codelco, and Malaysia’s quiet AI boom that faces sustainability questions.

Western and Japanese carmakers are increasing their Chinese partnerships to close a widening technology gap, the recently signed US-Saudi nuclear deal still faces hurdles, and India’s lofty manufacturing ambitions have so far failed to materialise but its burgeoning mobile phone exports signal there exists opportunity for growth.

India’s economic boom built on IT is struggling to provide the jobs it’s young workforce needs, European carmakers are retooling for a war economy, and more proposals to bypass the Strait of Hormuz are gathering momentum.