Analytical Brief — 24.09.2026 02:13

The Trump–Xi summit in Washington signaled an attempt by the US and China to channel rivalry into managed competition, yet yielded no breakthroughs on rare earth metals. On the Ukrainian front, escalation continues: ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, massive drone attacks on Odesa and Kharkiv, and KAB strikes on Sumy. Russia is targeting data centers in an effort to suppress air raid warning systems. Concurrently: fighting in Tigray (Ethiopia), instability in Pakistan, and a rift within NATO due to statements by Fico (Slovakia). The macroeconomic backdrop is alarming: yields on 5-year US Treasuries exceeded 5% for the first time since 2007, oil remains volatile (WTI $96.4), markets are falling, VIX is low (14.2), and the dollar is strengthening. The world is entering a phase of high uncertainty where military actions, economic pressure, and information operations are intertwined.