Russia’s deepening isolation in the Iran–US war, Trump’s tariff brinkmanship, runaway fires in Europe, and a nervous wait for the Fed’s rate call give this week a mood of combative, overheated, and brittle global politics and markets. AI power struggles and China’s new “ethnic unity” law sharpen the sense of control-versus-chaos that’s ripe for satire.

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1. GEOPOLITICS

1) Iran–US war and regional spillover (July 28–29)

• An Iranian government spokesperson reported that the country has lost around 230 million cubic meters of gas production capacity during the ongoing 40‑day war with the United States, and said Bushehr Airport has been disabled, with 350 government employees killed, underscoring the mounting human and economic cost.
• Iran’s foreign minister held talks with Saudi Arabia and Oman focused on security in the Strait of Hormuz, as drone attacks and cross‑border incidents raised fears of further regional escalation.
• A large‑scale drone attack hit several areas in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, while Jordan claimed it shot down a drone in its eastern desert, highlighting how the conflict’s edges are fraying across neighboring states.

2) Israel–Palestine and regional tensions (late July)

• Israeli forces continued raids, home demolitions, and arrests in the West Bank, alongside settler attacks, as “yellow line” frontiers of the war keep pushing Palestinians out of their homes.
• Reports described Gazans being forced to move repeatedly along shifting evacuation lines, capturing a war that’s not a fixed front but a constantly moving edge.

3) Trump’s tariff threats and diplomatic strain (late July)

• In Washington coverage, President Donald Trump threatened a 50% tariff on imports, fueling Canadian manufacturing uncertainty as businesses brace for shocks to cross‑border trade. …