Geopolitics

Japan has begun a five-week experiment to extract rare earth minerals from the deep seabed off Minamitorishima Island, aiming to reduce reliance on China for critical materials. The project, aboard the research vessel Chikyu, marks the first prolonged collection effort at such depths and highlights tensions between energy security and environmental risks. Officials hope it will support Japan's carbon neutrality goals by 2050 while bolstering industrial competitiveness.

January 31, 2026 Reported by AI

Deputy Chair of the National Economic Council Mari Elka Pangestu is pushing for further implementation of President Prabowo Subianto's Prabowonomics idea amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. She emphasized an Indonesia-first approach based on Prabowo's Davos speech. The discussion took place in Jakarta on January 31, 2026.

At a University of Hong Kong seminar, former US diplomat Klein stated that China's hopes for Europe to pivot toward Beijing amid deteriorating US-EU ties are misplaced. He highlighted Brussels' core task of navigating US-China rivalry while seeking balance between the two.

January 19, 2026 Reported by AI

Gold prices in Egypt posted strong gains over the past week, tracking a parallel rise in global markets, climbing by around 1.9% amid escalating geopolitical tensions and political uncertainty, according to a report by iSagha. Local prices increased by approximately EGP 115 over the week, with 21-carat gold closing at EGP 6,155 per gram.

Thousands of Iranians are protesting against the Ayatollah-led regime, facing brutal violence from security forces that has reportedly killed between 12,000 and 20,000 people since the revolt began. The government has shut down internet access nationwide, while Iranian dissidents criticize the Western left for remaining silent on the crackdown. This uprising stems from economic hardships and long-standing grievances against the Islamist rulers.

January 14, 2026 Reported by AI

The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) opened up 39.71 points or 0.44 percent to 9,072.29 on Thursday morning, amid market concerns over threats to the independence of the US Federal Reserve due to President Donald Trump's attacks on Chairman Jerome Powell. These worries are reinforced by Producer Price Index (PPI) data showing price pressures, potentially leading the Fed to hold or raise interest rates. However, analysts view this strength as a signal of an investment shift toward a supercycle supporting Indonesia's stock market throughout 2026.