Israel is on the brink of attacking Iran, with action expected within days.
China, the countries of South-East Asia (ASEAN) and the Arab states (GCC) just held a summit in Kuala Lumpur to forge what could become the world's largest economic bloc, covering everything from free trade agreements to de-dollarisation.
Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, the GCC, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations issued a joint declaration committing to “chart a unified and collective path towards a peaceful, prosperous and just future.
The UK is closer to finalising a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said on May 20.
A significant development has been taking shape: the emergence of an Arab economic bloc with ambitions extending far beyond traditional resource-based cooperation.
The oil market has entered choppy waters once again. Crude prices fell by a dramatic 18% in April y/y – the sharpest monthly drop since November 2021 – partly due to a global slowdown, but more due to a power struggle within OPEC+.