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Executive Summary: * President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on eight European NATO allies including Denmark, France, and Germany over their military support for Greenland, escalating to 25% by June unless the U.S. acquires the island, while simultaneously requiring nations to pay $1 billion for permanent membership on his Peace Board and seeing Hungary’s Viktor Orban accept an invitation to the Gaza-specific board, prompting the EU to halt its trade deal approval, French President Emmanuel Macron to seek activation of the anti-coercion instrument against the U.S., and UK right-wing parties to criticize the US Greenland move, potentially widening intra-EU rifts and shifting U.S. strategic focus toward Polish-led Central and Eastern Europe amid broader geopolitical tensions like U.S. calls for regime change in Iran following over 3,300 protest deaths and a U.S. strike killing an al Qaeda leader in Syria. * Energy sector developments featured Panama’s ports achieving a 3.6% rise in container traffic to 9.9 million TEUs in 2025, Brazil advancing gas supply security through projects like the $150 million ECOMP Itajuipe compressor and $190 million Gasoduto dos Goytacazes pipeline to offset declining Bolivian imports, Cuba facing a worsening energy crisis without Venezuelan oil shipments post-U.S. intervention and turning to Mexico for 12,284 barrels per day despite U.S. threats during USMCA renegotiations, global oil markets grappling with oversupply issues that dwarf concerns over Iran and Russia, and Syrian forces seizing major fields like Omar and Conoco amid regional instability. * Technological and military advancements included the U.S. Army’s $10.4 billion hypersonic missile program missing its 2025 fielding deadline, NASA rolling out the Artemis 2 rocket for a targeted February 6 crewed lunar mission carrying four astronauts on a 10-day journey, Apple partnering with Google on the Gemini AI model to enhance Siri’s personalization and privacy, SK Hynix completing a 1a DRAM upgrade at its Wuxi plant in China, discussions in the UK and France on implementing Australia-style social media bans for under-16s amid documented negative effects, Russia’s Zorky system rivaling Starlink with plans for over 300 satellites by 2027 and serial production starting in 2026, and a space company securing an $805 million contract for 18 missile warning satellites representing 185% of its annual revenue while developing a medium-lift rocket to capture niche markets ignored by SpaceX. See the full stories below—plus paid subscribers get our take, detailed analysis and predictions WHY THIS MATTERS NOW President Trump’s 10% tariffs on goods from eight NATO allies (Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, UK) effective February 1, escalating to 25% in June unless the U.S. acquires Greenland, shifts transatlantic trade flows and defense burden-sharing by raising import costs for U.S. consumers and European exporters while redirecting U.S. Arctic strategic capital toward Central-Eastern Europe over the next 6-12 months. Market Snapshot as of publication time noted above (not to be relied on for trading purposes): Detailed News Summary: Iran’s Supreme Leader Concedes Thousands Killed In Unrest https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-17/iran-media-claim-partial-internet-return-after-record-blackout Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged that several thousand people died during recent anti-government protests, accusing the U.S. and Israel of aiding the killings while vowing not to lead the country into war but to punish both domestic and international criminals. The unrest, sparked by a currency crisis, led to a nine-day internet blackout affecting 92 million people, with partial restoration reported but overall connectivity remaining at about 2% of normal levels. Human rights groups estimated 3,500 deaths and over 22,000 detentions, aligning with Khamenei’s toll, amid accusations from President Trump that Khamenei destroyed the country through unprecedented violence. Local media noted gradual easing of restrictions, though security conditions might prolong some measures. Panama Ports See 3.6% Rise In TEU Container Traffic In 2025 https://gcaptain.com/panama-ports-see-3-6-rise-in-teu-container-traffic-in-2025/ Panama’s ports experienced a 3.6% increase in container traffic to 9.9 million TEUs in 2025, as reported by the Maritime Authority, highlighting their role in supporting the Panama Canal’s global trade connectivity. Key terminals showed varied growth, with SSA Marine’s Manzanillo International Terminal handling 2.9 million TEUs up 5%, Panama Ports Company’s Balboa at 2.7 million TEUs up 2%, Cristobal up 9% to 1.2 million TEUs, and Colon Container Terminal surging 10% to 1.7 million TEUs. The only decline was at Panama International Terminal, down 2% to 1.4 million TEUs, amid an overall rise in empty container repositioning that underscores Panama’s strategic hub status. Officials emphasized this growth reaffirms the nation’s importance for regional equipment redistribution. Army Hypersonic Missile Fielding Falters on Missed Deadline https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-17/army-hypersonic-missile-fielding-falters-on-missed-deadline The U.S. Army has missed its self-imposed deadline for fielding the first hypersonic weapon, highlighting delays in one of the Pentagon’s top priorities despite the responsible unit being fully trained and ready. The missile, part of a $10.4 billion program, remains unprepared for deployment, contradicting the Army’s recent statement to achieve fielding by the end of 2025. This setback underscores ongoing challenges in advancing hypersonic capabilities amid high expectations for rapid development. Officials confirmed the missed timeline this week, signaling potential impacts on broader military modernization efforts. Trump to Impose Tariffs on Some European Nations Over Greenland https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-17/trump-to-impose-tariffs-on-some-european-nations-over-greenland President Donald Trump announced 10% tariffs on goods from eight European NATO allies including Denmark, Norway, and France starting February 1, escalating to 25% in June unless Greenland is fully purchased by the U.S., targeting nations that dispatched personnel for training in the territory. The move drew sharp rebukes from EU leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, who warned of undermined transatlantic relations and a potential downward spiral, while French President Emmanuel Macron called it unacceptable and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson rejected blackmail. EU lawmakers, led by Manfred Weber, indicated halting last year’s trade deal, which imposed 15% U.S. tariffs on EU goods and 50% on steel, amid questions over Trump’s legal authority under acts like the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed surprise, emphasizing enhanced Arctic security, as officials agreed to a working group but remained in stalemate with the U.S. NASA rolls Artemis 2 rocket to the pad ahead of historic moon launch https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-rolls-artemis-2-rocket-to-the-pad-ahead-of-historic-moon-launch NASA’s Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis 2 mission began its 4-mile rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center on January 17, 2026, heading to Launch Complex-39B for systems checks and a wet dress rehearsal targeted for February 2, with the earliest launch on February 6. The 322-foot-tall rocket, weighing 2,870 tons when fueled and generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust, will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day lunar flyby mission, testing Orion’s life support systems. This first crewed Artemis flight follows the uncrewed Artemis 1 in 2022, which faced delays from leaks and weather, and aims to pave the way for Artemis 3’s lunar landing targeted after 2027. The crew, who witnessed the rollout, will follow a free-return trajectory around the moon for safe return without entering orbit. Trump says 8 European nations face tariffs rising to 25% if Greenland isn’t sold to the U.S. https://thehill.com/policy/international/5694156-donald-trump-regime-change-iran/ President Trump called for regime change in Iran, criticizing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a sick man responsible for destroying the country through unprecedented violence and killing thousands to maintain control. He emphasized that leadership should be about respect rather than fear and death, urging new leadership amid protests where over 3,000 have died and 22,000 been detained. Khamenei accused the U.S. and Israel of backing the unrest to dominate Iran militarily, politically, and economically, claiming evidence of foreign involvement in killings and damage to infrastructure like power grids and banks. Trump, who canceled meetings with Iranian officials and suggested help for
