16-31 January 2026

Details

• China succeeded in consolidating its position in the global economy by increasing its foreign trade volume beyond 45 trillion yuan in 2025. With its trade volume growing for nine consecutive years, the country has not only focused on exports but also pushed imports to historic highs, maintaining its status as the world’s second-largest import market. The country aims to increase global cooperation by reducing customs duties and opening free trade ports such as Hainan. Furthermore, the country’s industrial production increased by %5,9 in 2025, proving the continuity of its current production power. Particularly, high-tech manufacturing and equipment production are progressing far above the overall growth rate. Huge increases in areas such as, 3D printing equipment, industrial robots and new energy vehichles show that the industry suggested a digital and green transformation.

• Despite regional geopolitical tensions, economic relations between Israel and China are entering in a recovery process. After the Gaza ceasefire improved trade conditions, are enabling the revival of the trade volume that had declined at the beginning of 2025. Two countries collaborations between in this field of technology, agriculture and health are becoming more predictable as risks in the region decrease. However, US policies in the region and logistics costs in the Red Sea continue to play a decisive role in the stability of this commercial partnership.

• The Trump administration's Syria policy carries a serious risk of failure because of its conflict with the realities on the field. The US is struggling to manage tensions between the Syrian government and the SDF, as well as security talks with Israel. The recent conflicts in Aleppo and the displacement of thousands of people highlight the humanitarian consequences of a lack of diplomatic planning. Trump’s dream of Abraham Accords continues a distant possibility during territorial disputes and Israel’s military actions are unsolved.

• Gulf countries are watching the internal tensions in Iran with strategic in cold blood more expectations of moral change. These countries believe that the Iranian regime is used to managing crises through pressure rather than solving them. The main risk for them is not seen as a major conflict rather than uncontrollable small moves threatening regional security. For this reason, Gulf capitals are focusing more on protecting their own countries from the possible effects of this instability than on Iran’s transformation.

• Political instability and conflicts in different parts of the world continue to undermine global security. Chaos deepens in Congo following the withdrawal of rebel groups, while states of emergency are being declared in countries like Guatemala and Uganda because of elections and gang violence. While Cuba grapples with the energy crisis, Greenland the sovereignty disputes over it are creating a new line of tension between the great powers. The fragile ceasefires in the Central African Republic and Lebanon, on the other hand, continue to strain hopes for peace in the region.

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing, London's trade relations with China it symbolizes the revival effort. However, this rapprochement also concerns about espionage and criticism of China's economic influence in parliament and public opinion. While the UK needs China for its green energy transition, it is also trying to protect its critical infrastructure from the security risks that this dependency can bring. This visit shows a critical turning point that tests how the delicate balance between commercial benefits and national security can be maintained.

• China sustains its technological leadership and supply power by possessing approximately half of the world's rare earth element reserves. Despite accusations of “monopoly” from Western countries, China claims that its superiority in mining and purification technologies has accelerated the global high-tech chain. The country, which increased its rare earth exports by %12.9 in 2025, states that it is acting according to market logic. On the other hand, it warns that the United State’s political moves in this area, lacking a technological foundation, may lead to environmental damage and waste of resources.

• Scientists have set the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight for 2026, warning humanity of a major threat. This time is recorded as the closest point in the clock's history due to nuclear risks, the climate crisis, and the lack of control over artificial intelligence. Competition between major powers and weakening international cooperation are bringing the world to the brink of an existential catastrophe. Experts emphasize that this clock is not merely a metaphor but a tool that reminds us of the planet's fragility and calls for urgent action.

• The Iranian regime started a digital isolation by almost completely shutting down the internet at the beginning of 2026 in an effort to stop the protests spreading across the country. This outage, which disconnected approximately 92 million people from the world, represents a new phase in the regime's strategy of controlling society using its own internal network. The government aims to establish a system where citizens can only access approved websites, while also criminalizing technologies that bypass censorship.