Billionaire Elon Musk announced Saturday the formation of a third political party, breaking ties with President Donald Trump after a public clash over a sweeping domestic policy bill signed into law Friday.
Musk, who named the new group the “America Party,” made the declaration on X, calling the current system “a one-party state” that no longer reflects democratic values. “Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom,” Musk posted.
The move follows a bitter split with Trump, who had relied on Musk as a top adviser and his largest individual donor during the 2024 campaign. Musk turned on the administration after criticizing the president’s bill for potentially ballooning the federal deficit. While tensions briefly cooled, they reignited this week as the legislation neared passage.
Trump dismissed Musk’s political pivot. “It’s ridiculous to start a third party,” he told reporters Sunday. “It just adds to confusion. Third parties have never worked.”
The president also hinted that the White House might reconsider federal contracts with Musk’s companies and questioned the future of the Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk previously led.
It remains unclear whether Musk has taken any legal steps to register his party with the Federal Election Commission. His announcement offered few details beyond promises of fiscal restraint and a vow to back select candidates in next year’s midterms.
Though the two men continue to share views on several cultural issues, Musk has accused Trump’s administration of pushing the country deeper into “debt slavery” with unchecked spending.
The U.S. political landscape has historically made third-party efforts difficult. While past attempts, such as Ross Perot’s 1992 presidential bid, have drawn significant support, they have failed to break the two-party stronghold.
Musk, however, appears undeterred. “The America Party will rise,” he wrote, signaling that his political ambitions are just beginning.
The global race for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy has become the new space race of the 21st century. Nations are investing heavily in AI technologies to bolster their economies, enhance national security, and improve the quality of life for their citizens. This high-stakes competition is not only shaping the future of technology but also the geopolitical landscape. The quest for AI dominance is driven by the belief that the country leading in AI will be the superpower of tomorrow. This article will explore the strategies different nations are employing to navigate this race, the challenges they face, and the potential implications of this intense rivalry.
The Players in the Global AI Race
Led by the United States and China, the global AI race includes key players such as the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several others. Each nation is bringing its unique strengths and approaches to the table. The US boasts a strong innovation ecosystem with world-leading tech companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon. Its venture capital, best credit repair payment processing centers, and university systems are incubators for AI talent and research. China, on the other hand, has a vast market, significant state funding, and a data-rich environment that supports AI development. The European Union is focusing on ethical AI and creating a unified legal framework to govern its use. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea are leveraging their advanced manufacturing capabilities to integrate AI into their industries.
Investments and Strategies
To stay ahead in the race, countries are investing heavily in AI research and development, education, and infrastructure. The US government is funneling billions into AI through initiatives like the American AI Initiative, which aims to maintain the country’s leadership in AI by supporting R&D, workforce training, and ethical standards. Additionally, the private sector is a significant player, with companies like Tesla, Facebook, and OpenAI pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI.
China’s approach is equally ambitious. With its Made in China 2025 initiative, the country is prioritizing AI in manufacturing and is investing heavily in its AI industry. The Chinese government has set a goal of becoming the world leader in AI by 2030, with a particular emphasis on sectors like healthcare, finance, and military technology. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is also facilitating the spread of its AI technologies to other countries, which could lead to significant economic and political influence.
The European Union, known for its strong regulatory frameworks, is focusing on ethical AI and is developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a way that respects human rights and privacy. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a prime example of this approach. By fostering public trust in AI, the EU aims to maintain its competitiveness while setting the global standard for AI ethics.
Challenges and Implications
While the race for AI supremacy is on, it is not without its challenges. Data security and privacy concerns are at the forefront, especially as AI systems rely on vast amounts of personal information. The potential for AI to be used for surveillance and control has sparked debates on how to regulate its use without stifling innovation. Additionally, the digital divide could widen as AI technologies may be more accessible to wealthier nations, leaving others behind in the race.
Another significant hurdle is the shortage of AI talent. Countries are competing for the brightest minds, and those who succeed in nurturing and attracting the best talent will likely have an advantage. This is why education systems are adapting to include more AI-related courses, and governments are offering incentives for students to pursue AI careers.
The economic implications of the AI race are vast. As automation becomes more prevalent, job markets will shift, and some industries may decline as others boom. Nations that lead in AI development stand to gain significantly from the economic growth it promises, but those who lag may face job displacement and reduced competitiveness.
The geopolitical landscape is also being reshaped by the AI race. Control over AI technology could lead to new forms of power and influence, potentially leading to a new Cold War-like scenario. Military applications of AI, such as autonomous weapons, raise concerns about an arms race and the potential for misuse.
Collaboration vs. Competition
While the AI race is predominantly framed as a competition, there is also room for collaboration. Shared challenges like climate change, health pandemics, and cyber threats can be better addressed through international cooperation. Pooling resources and knowledge can lead to faster progress and more comprehensive solutions. For instance, international collaborations in AI research could lead to breakthroughs in medicine and environmental science.
However, the current trend seems to be leaning towards competition, with nations seeking to protect their AI technologies from others. The US-China trade war has spilled over into the tech sector, with restrictions on technology transfer impacting companies and research collaborations.
The Future of the AI Race
The AI race is still in its early stages, and the eventual winner remains uncertain. What is clear is that the competition will continue to intensify, with nations vying for technological and economic supremacy. As AI becomes more integrated into every aspect of society, it will be essential for countries to balance innovation with ethical considerations, data security, and the protection of individual rights.
The global AI race is a complex and multifaceted endeavor, with each nation bringing its unique strategies and challenges. As the field evolves, we can expect to see alliances form, regulations tighten, and the competition heat up. Credit repair payment processing systems may become a critical factor for companies operating in this space, as the need for secure and efficient transactions will be critical.
Whether the race leads to a more prosperous and equitable future or to increased tensions and a digital arms race, the outcome will largely depend on how the international community navigates these waters. Cooperation on ethical guidelines and the responsible use of AI is essential to ensure that this powerful technology serves humanity rather than becoming a tool for dominance. As we move forward, it’s crucial for nations to balance their pursuit of innovation with the need to create a global framework that addresses the complex challenges AI presents.
In the dynamic world of sports betting, enhancing your experience goes beyond merely placing a wager. It’s about cultivating a deeper understanding of the games, teams, and statistics that drive outcomes. Savvy betters recognize that knowledge is their greatest asset; therefore, immersing oneself in sports analytics and player performance metrics can unveil hidden opportunities. By leveraging data-driven insights, you position yourself to make informed decisions that can significantly increase your odds of winning.
Furthermore, embracing technology plays a pivotal role in modern sports betting enhancement. Mobile apps and online platforms provide real-time updates and personalized alerts, allowing betters to react swiftly to changing circumstances. Additionally, engaging with online communities can enrich your perspective, as sharing strategies and experiences with fellow enthusiasts fosters a collaborative learning environment.
Researching Teams and Players Effectively
When delving into the world of sports betting, effective research on teams and players can be the difference between a winning streak and a losing skid. Start by tapping into niche communities like Sports Betting Reddit, where passionate bettors share insights, stats, and trends that you won’t find in mainstream analyses. Engaging in discussions can provide you with varied perspectives and even expose you to unique strategies that seasoned bettors utilize.
Additionally, don’t underestimate the value of free football picks from credible sources. These picks often come accompanied by detailed breakdowns of team performance metrics, player conditions, and even weather considerations that could influence game outcomes. By synthesizing this information, you’ll not only sharpen your decision-making skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play. Remember, in sports betting, knowledge is power — so immerse yourself in research and let your informed choices lead the way.
Utilizing Betting Strategies for Success
One of the most effective ways to elevate your sports betting experience is by implementing well-researched betting strategies. Rather than relying solely on gut feelings or team loyalties, consider employing a combination of statistical analysis and historical performance trends. For instance, utilizing the Kelly Criterion can help you determine the optimal amount to wager based on your perceived edge, ensuring that you maximize potential profits while minimizing risks. This strategic approach not only enhances your decision-making process but also instills discipline in your betting habits.
Moreover, diversifying your bets across different markets can yield significant advantages. Instead of focusing solely on popular sports or high-profile games, explore niche leagues or less popular events, where you might find better odds and less public betting action. This can create opportunities for value betting, where the odds offered by bookmakers may not accurately reflect the true probabilities of an outcome.
Additionally, always keep abreast of player injuries, weather conditions, and other situational factors that can influence game results, as these insights can give you the upper hand in making informed wagers. Embracing a multifaceted strategy will not only enhance your overall betting experience but also increase your chances of long-term success.
Taking Advantage of communities like Reddit
Engaging with communities like Reddit can be a game-changer for sports bettors looking to enhance their strategies. Communities dedicated to sports betting offer a wealth of information and diverse perspectives from fellow bettors. Here, you can find real-time discussions about upcoming games, free football picks, insider tips, and even analysis from seasoned bettors who share their experiences and strategies. By participating in these discussions, you not only gain valuable insights but also build connections with others who share your passion.
Moreover, Reddit’s upvote and downvote system helps you quickly identify the most credible advice. This community-driven approach means that the best insights rise to the top, allowing you to sift through noise and focus on high-quality content. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek clarification on complex betting strategies; the community is often eager to help newcomers navigate the intricacies of betting. By leveraging these platforms, you can stay ahead of trends, learn from others’ successes and failures.
Staying Disciplined and Avoiding Emotional Bets
Staying disciplined in sports betting is very similar to maintaining a balanced diet; both require mindful choices and a commitment to long-term goals. It’s easy to get swept away by the thrill of a last-minute play or a heated rivalry, leading to impulsive wagers driven by emotions rather than strategy. To combat this, create a detailed betting plan outlining your budget, bet sizes, and specific criteria for placing wagers. This structured approach not only mitigates the influence of fleeting emotions but also enhances your analytical skills as you become more focused on data-driven decisions.
Instead of chasing losses or betting out of loyalty to a favorite team, take a step back to assess the situation objectively. Implementing practices like journaling your bets can help you identify patterns in your decision-making process. By reflecting on both wins and losses, you develop a deeper understanding of your biases and triggers.
London, United Kingdom – Tesorro365.com is a financial platform, supporting better decision-making through timely alerts and real-time signals. The platform has introduced a system where users receive live signal alerts based on financial data patterns and ongoing updates. These alerts are intended to assist users in making informed choices, especially when dealing with the rapid changes that happen in the financial environment. As changes in the global market continue to influence outcomes for individuals and groups, receiving accurate and timely information is becoming more necessary than ever.
Live Alerts Tailored to Market Shifts
The platform’s live signals alert system works by monitoring financial trends across various sources and then transmitting direct notifications to users. These alerts are not based on assumptions or general advice but come from up-to-date financial changes being observed at the moment. For individuals who follow such data closely, timely alerts can make the difference between reacting late and responding on time. According to a recent Tesorro.com review, these signals offer a higher level of clarity to people who prefer to stay informed before taking steps in financial matters.
Keeping Information Timely and Focused
One of the key advantages of using a live signal alert platform is that the information is kept fresh. Delayed updates are often of no use in fast-moving financial settings. The value here lies in how these alerts maintain relevance with each change that occurs, helping users to stay close to current outcomes. With less need for guesswork and more reliance on what is actually happening, these alerts support choices made with higher awareness. A Tesorro.com review noted that the timing of the alerts was a major factor that gave users more confidence in planning their next steps.
Clear Financial Information
The service provided does not rely on layers of interpretation. It offers direct alerts that show what is changing and when. The focus is on clarity and usefulness, not complexity. For those who want simple alerts they can act on, the current model presents a working solution. As stated in its review, the platform aims to simplify the way people receive and respond to financial updates.
Avoiding Overload With Smart Notification Flow
The alert system selects signals that are considered relevant. This helps prevent confusion and avoids sending too much information at once. Each alert is selected for its importance and relation to current financial themes. Too many updates can often lead to missing the ones that matter most, and this system addresses that issue directly. Based on one Tesorro com review, the volume of alerts is well-balanced, thereby offering value to the users.
Reliable Notification Access Across Devices
Whether accessed through mobile devices or desktop systems, these live signal alerts are available in real time. The service ensures that people do not miss important updates, no matter the device used. This level of access plays a big part in supporting financial awareness while on the move or during regular work hours. Users are not restricted to one source or time window. According to a recent Tesorro review, flexibility in receiving signals across different formats has helped widen the usage experience for many clients.
About Tessorro.com
Tesorro365.com is a financial support platform. It provides signal alerts that help individuals and businesses remain aware of shifting financial movements. The platform offers a steady flow of information in real time, with the goal of helping users react wisely to financial changes. Its alert service was designed to reduce lag in response time and present useful signals that can be understood without professional guidance. This makes it especially useful for users who may not have access to ongoing financial advice but still want to make timely decisions. Through this, the platform plays a direct role in supporting better financial outcomes for its users.
With a wide user base relying on live updates, Tessorro places value on simplicity, timing, and precision. These alerts give users a clearer view of what is happening in the financial world, which helps in managing situations based on facts, than delayed reports. As more people look for direct and understandable insights, services like this are becoming central to daily financial awareness.
The global agricultural landscape is witnessing a series of significant shifts that are reshaping export dynamics and supply chains. America’s abundant harvests are playing a crucial role in balancing the shortfall from the Black Sea region, effectively stabilising corn prices worldwide. However, geopolitical tensions are also exerting their influence, with Russia managing to capture a substantial market share in the wheat trade despite facing sanctions. On the weather front, erratic conditions, ranging from extreme weather events to droughts in key producing regions such as the US, Brazil, and Argentina, are casting a shadow over grain crop yields. Yet, challenges persist on the production cost front, with rising fertiliser prices impacting corn cultivation.
Extreme weather, fertilizer prices and geopolitics are significantly transforming the global agricultural commodity market. Edward Nikulin, weather model expert at Mind Money, explains how each of these factors affects the price of wheat and corn.
As Q3 2025 begins, global grain markets are supported by strong harvests in the EU, India, Brazil, and the U.S., offsetting losses from drought and war. As I mentioned in my Preface, Russia remains a key wheat exporter despite sanctions. Demand looks healthy, but prices stay subdued due to cautious buying and high input costs. As always, futures remain sensitive to weather and policy risks.
Wheat: Global Supply Recovering
Global wheat production is on track for a strong year in 2025, rebounding from last season’s weather-hit output. The International Grains Council now forecasts world wheat output at 808 million tonnes, up slightly from earlier estimates and at a record high. This optimism is underpinned by bumper harvests from several key producers. In the European Union, soft wheat production is projected around 128 million tonnes for 2025/26, a 15% surge from last year’s drought-affected crop. India is also contributing to global abundance with a record wheat harvest of roughly 115–117 million tonnes, thanks to higher plantings and favourable temperature conditions. Even Russia and Ukraine benefited from a mild winter and adequate spring moisture, setting the stage for another large Black Sea wheat crop. All in all, Russia’s wheat exports remain solid, with Russian cash wheat offered around $225/tonne, underscoring its competitive edge on the global market.
Not all grain producers experienced a smooth season, though. Thus, China’s wheat belt faced severe spring drought and heat, with some crops being halved. Though the 2025 output may be the lowest in seven years, strong irrigation and reserves could limit the impact. China’s imports remain muted. In India, the heat and dryness had a minimal impact on a record crop but highlighted the ongoing weather risks.
In the United States, the winter wheat harvest has experienced significant fluctuations in weather conditions. Early in the season, the Central and Southern Plains endured severe heat and drought, only to be drenched by heavy rains and floods in late May. In Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas – heartlands of Hard Red Winter wheat – downpours turned fields muddy and even caused localised flooding, delaying the harvest in many areas. Canada experienced improved moisture in June, which stabilised its wheat prospects, and farmers there expanded wheat acreage slightly. By late June, only about 20% of Kansas’s wheat had been harvested (versus nearly half by the same time last year) as farmers waited for fields to dry. Argentina is recovering from a drought-hit cycle last year; recent dry weather improved planting conditions, and the government extended reduced export taxes to encourage wheat sowing.
Wheat trade flows are shifting, as I mentioned above, with Russian exports remaining strong, supplying North Africa and the Middle East despite sanctions. At the same time, the Black Sea conflict limits Ukraine’s exports. Ample global supply and low prices benefit traditional importers, but China’s muted buying, due to large reserves, removes a key source of demand. Overall, global wheat demand is at record highs, although growth can be characterised as steady rather than rapid.
In June 2025, wheat futures prices experienced notable volatility, fluctuating between approximately $524 and $574 per bushel. The month began with relatively stable prices near $535, but by June 7–9, prices began to rise gradually amid concerns about adverse weather conditions in the U.S. Plains and parts of Europe. This upward trend accelerated sharply in mid-June, peaking around $574 per bushel on June 20. The rally was driven by mounting speculation and reports of excessive rainfall delaying the wheat harvest in southern U.S. states along with heat stress affecting crops in parts of Central Europe. From June 23 onward, wheat futures steadily declined, hitting a local low of about $520 per bushel by June 27. In the final days of the month, prices showed signs of stabilisation and modest recovery, closing at around $532.23 per bushel on July 1.
Corn: Big Harvests and Healthy Demand Growth
The corn market faces strong global production but ongoing weather risks. Brazil’s 2024/25 crop is set to hit a record 128–150 million tonnes, with good growing conditions despite late harvest delays. Argentina is recovering from last year’s drought, and U.S. output is also expected to be high, with 91 million acres planted and favorable early-season weather. NDVI data shows strong crop health in the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina. However, parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia show weaker crop vigor, and dryness in the U.S. western Corn Belt remains a concern. July–August weather will be critical for final yields.
Strong global corn demand is keeping pace with rising production. U.S. exports have surged, led by buyers such as China and Mexico, which have tightened domestic stocks to around 1.8 billion bushels. Ethanol output is also supporting demand. Globally, corn use is growing for feed and industrial purposes. China may import more if domestic prices rise, while South Africa and India expect solid crops, which will boost local supply. The global supply-demand balance has improved, with major exporters rebuilding stocks.
In June 2025, corn futures prices trended steadily downward, reflecting strong global supply expectations and ongoing bearish sentiment in the market. The month began with prices near $449 per bushel, but after a brief spike, the market quickly began to retreat. Throughout the first half of the month, prices hovered between $435 and $445. Starting around June 20, prices began a sharper descent, driven by improving crop conditions in the U.S. Corn Belt and aggressive selling by speculative funds. By June 25, corn futures hit a monthly low near $410 per bushel. This decline was further exacerbated by fund positioning, as managed money held one of the largest net short positions in nearly a year. Toward the end of the month, the market attempted a modest recovery, briefly rising above $420, but gains were quickly capped, and the contract closed at $414.05 per bushel on July 1.
Edward Nikulin, a weather model expert at Mind Money, is a proficient quantitative researcher and data scientist with more than 8 years of experience in market modeling, systematic trading, and AI-driven analytics. He is the author of the weather model for proprietary trading strategies of Mind Money.
It’s not difficult to construct an argument to suggest that 2025 could be the year when eCommerce and gaming cease running parallel with each other and finally collide in a way that could easily be seismic in the way that it redefines both industries.
Although these are two distinct worlds, with one centered on buying, and the other on playing, it’s becoming abundantly clear that they are becoming increasingly intertwined.
If you run a platform where you need access to the best social gaming merchant account, you will probably have witnessed a certain level of fusion already. In a nutshell, as digital economies mature and gamers demand more immersive, monetizable experiences, that adjustment in mindset suggests we’re on the brink of a serious shift.
When you stop to think about it, the signs are already here. Virtual storefronts, in-game purchases, NFTs, gamified shopping, and the rise of platforms that blend commerce and entertainment, are all classic pointers to one inevitable conclusion. We’re witnessing a convergence that’s accelerating at pace.
The question is what’s driving the shift, and what will the landscape look like when eCommerce and gaming become fully intertwined?
Gamer and consumer becoming one
In essence, what we are seeing is the gamer is now the consumer, and the consumer is the gamer. Gaming isn’t just mainstream, it’s a powerful and dominant force.
Just consider the numbers for 2024. That was the landmark year where the value of the global gaming market broke through the $200 billion barrier. That’s a number that means it dwarfs film and music combined.
But there is a catch. Current day gamers are also high-value consumers. That means they’re digitally native, comfortable with microtransactions, and tend to be loyal to brands that engage them meaningfully.
This is a trend that retailers are taking note of. For that reason, in 2025, we’re likely to see more brands embedding themselves inside games, not just as ads, but as part of the experience. Think branded items that offer gameplay value, exclusive drops tied to real-world purchases, or even entire shopping experiences built into virtual spaces.
Virtual storefronts expected to go to the next level
Online stores are a familiar aspect of the retail landscape, and have been for years. But this year is ushering in a new breed of so-called virtual storefronts. These are immersive, interactive spaces inside games, and operate on metaverse-like platforms.
Roblox and Fortnite are already testing this with branded events and digital fashion. But as VR and AR mature and platforms like Unreal Engine 5 make photorealistic experiences more accessible, virtual shopping could definitely hit its stride.
Imagine a scenario where you walk into a Nike flagship store inside your favorite massive multiplayer online game (MMO), trying on a virtual sneaker skin, then having the real pair shipped to your door. That’s the reality of what’s possible, right now.
Gamification of eCommerce is set to take off in a big way
Gamification in online retail isn’t a new phenomenon, but it’s often surface-level, with things like loyalty points, spin-to-win discounts, amongst other things. However, 2025 could be a real game-changer. You can now expect a deeper, more meaningful integration of game mechanics into eCommerce.
This means unique motivations such as experience points for shopping, leaderboards tied to exclusive product drops, plus challenges and quests that unlock limited-edition items.
Retailers won’t just be selling, they’ll also be engaging customers in dynamic, replayable systems that drive return visits and social sharing.
Add the power of AI into the mix and every customer journey could feel like a personalized game.
Streamers and influencers are transformed into retail channels
2025 could prove to be the tipping point where influencers won’t just sell merch, they’ll be the storefront too.
Streaming platforms are increasingly adding “live shopping” tools, and creators are quickly learning how to monetize their audiences in real time. A good example of this potential would be a Fortnite player dropping into a sponsored branded island, with a pop-up shop tied to what they’re wearing.
The trust economy around creators will almost inevitably drive more peer-to-peer sales.
AI-Powered commerce inside games
Going back to the aforementioned influence of Artificial intelligence. It’s important to understand that this is the silent engine behind this whole shift.
AI has the ability to enable hyper-personalized in-game shopping. It will also drive conversational commerce, which is voice-activated shopping inside virtual worlds. In that scenario, if you want to buy an upgrade, you just have to say it.
Whatever you want, your AI companion can place the order.
Many industry insiders are saying that AI will optimize pricing, predict trends, and power recommendation engines in a far more nuanced way than anything we’ve seen in eCommerce to this point.
New Revenue Models and Economic Ecosystems
As games continue to evolve into platforms, they are no longer not just products. With that in mind, developers are exploring new revenue streams, and In-game commerce is set to be one of the biggest.
We’re witnessing the rise of game worlds as commercial hubs. These will be places where third-party sellers can set up shop, and where users can create and monetize assets. This creates a platform where the game acts as a social layer for commerce.
You will see that games like Star Atlas, Sandbox, and Otherside are already building these worlds. 2025 could prove to be the pivotal moment when mainstream titles start doing the same.
The big picture points to a redefinition of both industries
In 2025, eCommerce won’t just be about convenience, it will also have a clear focus on engagement, immersion, and identity. Gaming will no longer just be about entertainment, it will be much more than that. It will be a marketplace, a showroom, a social network, and a full-fledged economy with a very bright future ahead.
Everything points to these changes being way more than a trend. It’s a permanent shift in how people interact with brands, how they perceive value, and how they spend time and money in digital spaces.
2025 is likely to become a year of evolution for eCommerce and gaming. It has all the hallmarks of the beginning of a dramatic convergence. We’re not talking about product placement or digital gimmicks. We’re talking about thriving new economies, new behaviors, and entirely new expectations.
At approximately 2:10 Iran Standard Time (IRST) on June 22, 2025, U.S. B-2 Spirit bombers dropped one dozen 13,600kg GBU-57 (bunker buster) bombs on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched earlier from a submarine, striking Iran’s nuclear technology center, a decision of enormous consequential risk, not only for the Middle East and America but for the world at risk of a tenth member joining the nuclear club. Could the bombing stop Iran’s nuclear intentions or brazen its leader to move faster to the finish? The answers are under debate.
Nuclear weapons anywhere and in the control of anyone are a threat to everywhere and everyone on our planet. Existence of even a single nuclear weapon is a continuing danger for humanity as a whole.
– Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury UN Under-Secretary-General (2002-7)
Donald Trump’s logistics problem is that he sees every negotiation as a simple real estate business deal
How should one address the events of the past few days, weeks, and months of Middle East confrontations, in particular the U.S. bombing of Iran, labeled “Operation Midnight Hammer”, that supposedly aimed at ending that country’s ongoing nuclear weapon advancement? I neither support nor condone the bombing. The issue for me is that Donald Trump’s logistics problem is that he sees every negotiation as a simple real estate business deal, even floating notions of a risky Iran regime change. If his fanciful notions of regime change or instability transpire, the outcome could be better or, more likely, worse, because Iran has a tightly controlled government. Even if Trump follows his other fantasy ideas – his deal to lift some sanctions and access to Iran’s frozen assets and offer billions in investments for non-enrichment nuclear programs – it will not work without vigilant monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
For most of my articles on war, I have been treating the field abstractly, trying to avoid specific wars, unless they stand as contextual examples. I attempt to filter the political components of war from the core understanding of what makes, continues, and ends a war. The difficulty is that, in essence, all wars are political, yet possibly advanced by primordial body-brain waves of amino acid entanglements, drawn to the grip of the animalistic fight. Watch lion cubs play by fierce wrestling with their siblings. Like the human child throwing sand at another in the sandbox, lions play for their future call in the wild. War is no different than invented brutal gladiator sports, with cheerleaders for or against a side. It is the unfortunate part we play as being human.
When a columnist such as I writes about a war in progress, the difficulty is keeping up with the news. So, here I am, hearing the pings on my laptop that loudly call attention to the breaking CNN news that Iran fired missiles aimed at U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq. A few hours later, there is an announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Trump announced that Iran and Israel “fully agreed” to a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” and yet, minutes later, Israel claims that Iran broke the ceasefire by launching missiles targeting Be’er Sheva, the fourth-most-populous metropolitan area of Israel. Now, it seems that the Iran / Israel ceasefire is holding with cautious hope, though Tehran asserts it will not give up its nuclear program. Following that, there was a U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report leak contradicting Trump, confessing that the bombing had not halted Iran’s nuclear program but rather set it back only a few months. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has no reports of off-site radiation. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, says Iran’s highly enriched uranium is likely to have been packed in concealed containers and moved to an undisclosed location before the bombings.[1] On June 26, Trump denied that, writing on his Truth Social, “The cars and small trucks at the site were those of concrete workers trying to cover up the top of the shafts. Nothing was taken out of the facility. Would take too long, too dangerous, and very heavy and hard to move!” [2] One day later, Grossi claims in an interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS Face The Nation, “The capacities they have are there. They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium, or less than that. But as I said, frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared and there is nothing there.” [3]
So, it is likely that Iran’s nuclear equipment and facilities were not completely destroyed and that its stocks of highly enriched uranium are in storage somewhere not touched by the U.S. bombings. Even the DIA agrees. Next came other reports from a different U.S. intelligence agency suggesting that the impact was severe. How are we to understand any of this when, minute by minute, we encounter contradictions? And so, with pressured truths or impulsive vagaries hitting the news while avoiding evidence, I wait for more information that comes slowly in mini-paragraphs that tell almost nothing. Even the most seasoned experts on those matters have antipodal opinions. In time, we will learn the truth surrounding the effects of the U.S. bombing and whether the shaky ceasefire will hold or break as most ceasefires do. Though the extent of the damage question is debatable, the newest classified briefings acknowledge that the U.S. strikes did not eliminate all of the Iranian nuclear materials; however, it walked back Trump boasting, “spectacular military success,” and that complete and total obliteration was never part of the mission.
When reported facts change by the hour, it is almost impossible to compile accurate and reliable information and relay objective commentary
Reporters report current events factually, and so do columnists. The difference is that a columnist is a specialist with connections to higher levels of issue-focused expertise and analysis. Their journalism consists of commentaries that relay explanations, opinions, and interpretations from layers of professional specialized intelligence writings and years of anticipatory assessments. War is complicated. We have competent expert reporters who gather, translate, and compress the stories they hear and learn to provide objective observation about newsworthy events, but it is not their job to predict the consequences of any actions that could go wrong in an ongoing war. Predicting is a job for primary experts; mine is to comprehend, compound, and clarify those expert points of view. When reported facts change by the hour, it is almost impossible to compile accurate and reliable information and relay objective commentary, especially when the only direct sources are coming from government agencies that lock their assessments of events in classified information. In this case, two agencies have classified information that is contradictory.
“Suggestion, folks: it is the middle of the night in Iran. We have no battle damage assessment. We have a tweet. We will know more things soon and likely not know things for a while longer. Asking questions is fair, but answers fleeting. Hot takes exciting but not diagnostic.”[4]
Richard Nephew, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University at the Center on Global Energy Policy
Nephew’s Foreign Affairs January 2025 article “A Last Chance for Iran” reckons there are serious risks in trading negotiations for bombings. It probes what could happen if a future attack on Iran’s nuclear subterranean tunnels is not successful. That a bombing did happen, it is difficult to believe a president who claims the U.S. bombing was a “spectacular military success” and “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities after Donald Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims as president, according to The Washington Post.[5] There are substantial risks, both for a diplomatic agreement and a military strike that might cause a long war with a country that has significant military resources, including proxy combatants who will do Iran’s terrorist bidding without the loss of Iranian lives.
Americans show the usual split on the question of whether to bomb Iran; 56 percent of Americans disapprove.[6] They are asking what happens next, where will this new war go, and how long will it last. None of those questions have clear answers. For sure, we know that there will at least be a shake-up of the Middle East that could result in indefinitely long chaos, a substantial upheaval of U.S. markets (from shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, or quite possibly the Gulf of Aden to disrupt the global supply chain), and likely the balance between U.S. congregational and executive powers (given the division of American voters before the 2026 elections). What would happen if the bombings were neither spectacular nor a complete and total obliteration of Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities but simply delayed its nuclearization for at most another year? If that turns out to be the case, it will answer the question – was Donald Trump’s decision to start a war a mistake when there was still a window of diplomacy?
US B-2 Spirit bomber. Photo by USAF Public Domain
This new war could have been planned with intelligence. Or, it could have been an overnight inspiration of a few powerful figures, politicians, or hawk lobbyists who emotionally believe in a deterrent mantra, peace through strength, because they also believe their forces are ready with enough intelligence to foresee five steps ahead – yet cannot, because all wars go through surprising hoops.
Operation Midnight Hammer Public Domain
In reading expert opinions in journals and news sources from Foreign Affairs to United Nations reports, my thoughts wander through the wilderness of expert judgments on recent bombing repercussions that we cannot predict. In war, consequences surface in unexpected directions. While few paths lead to favorable outcomes, more lead us to darkness. When I came across Robin Wright’s article in The Atlantic, “Can Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Iran’s Theocracy, Survive This War?” I chose to believe that we are walking down the wrong path. [7] I hope to be wrong. She had met Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, in 1987, and found him to be, in her words, “[Lacking] charisma, worldliness, and intellectual depth. He mumbled his way through inflammatory rhetoric.” [8]
In war, consequences surface in unexpected directions. While few paths lead to favorable outcomes, more lead us to darkness.
Wright sees the issue as if Iran is locked in a culture of “military prowess”, and doubts that Khamenei and the Islamic theocracy will survive a serious military onslaught. That leaves us with the dilemma of whether we are on the right path forward with either war or diplomacy when Khamenei aims for Iranian dominance of the Middle East. Will it rebuild its nuclear weapons project? The answers are not known. We can listen to the opinions of the most seasoned experts. Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy head of the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, tells us, “Khamenei as a leader may not survive this war—either because he is taken out of the scene through an assassination or because the war ends with such a disastrous outcome for the country that he will be forced to step down, … [and] likely prefer being taken down as a martyr rather than going down in history as the Iranian leader who capitulated with a gun to his head.” Geranmayeh claims that Iran is hinting it will suspend future cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and inspections regarding its nuclear program. Iran believes that a nuclear deterrent is the best way for it to protect itself because it cannot win a war with its conventional weapons. So, last January, its government threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to avoid oversight of nuclear weapons development while it continues to produce weapons-grade highly enriched uranium.
Others say that blocking Iran’s nuclear weapon advancement cannot be achieved by military means. Only peace and diplomacy can stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. That view comes from Jennifer Kavanaugh, Senior Fellow and Director of Military Analysis at Defense Priorities, and Rosemary Kelanic, Director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, insisting that U.S. airpower alone cannot fully destroy uranium stockpiles deep under nuclear sites. Besides, there is speculation that Iran’s centrifuges are transportable and hidden. And still others say that almost certainly Iran will seek retribution and that the United States could suddenly become entangled in deeply wide escalations with unavoidable risky consequences. All it takes is one U.S. soldier killed.
The preeminent question is: What are the plans for a military counterattack after Iran’s reprisals? Since there are no guarantees of eliminating all nuclear material, Iran could eventually build and swiftly use a nuclear weapon in either revenge or control over the Middle East. According to Nephew, Iran already has the essential elements of bomb-making material that could be assembled quickly. “That is why the 2015 nuclear deal,” broken by Trump in his first term in office, “or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) focused on preventing nuclear material acquisition rather than on weaponization equipment or missiles.”[9]
Some experts, including Nephew, believe there are still options for a diplomatic solution. But Trump’s impatience and worldview are a barrier that confronts negotiations that often take years to click. Experts in fields surrounding foreign policy and affairs may offer productive advice, yet they are not time travelers returning from the future with oracular intelligence.
So, here I am, confused in head- and tail-winds of vacillating opinions, while understanding that the Middle East is not an area to risk consequences that can involve a world that depends on supply routes and avoidance of terror.
Joseph Mazuris an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Emerson College’s Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies. He is a recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim, Bogliasco, and Rockefeller Foundations, and the author of eight acclaimed popular nonfiction books. His latest book is The Clock Mirage: Our Myth of Measured Time (Yale).
At Uber, the adoption of generative AI is not just a matter of strategy or innovation—it’s a reflection of culture. For Andrea Monllau, Senior Manager of Americas Strategy for Uber, the shift to embracing Gen AI has been as much about people as it has been about platforms. Speaking from her perspective as both a strategist and a champion for transformation, Monllau in her interview with me describes a workplace where curiosity is encouraged, expertise is shared, and experimentation is the norm.
Uber’s relative youth and deep tech roots have made it fertile ground for early Gen AI adoption. “We were born in the era of data and technology,” Monllau notes. That gives Uber an edge over legacy organizations still wrestling with digital transformation. Across the company, teams are not just exploring Gen AI—they are actively embedding it into their workflows. Within the Places team, which oversees workplace strategy and corporate real estate, Gen AI isn’t just a shiny new tool. It’s a foundational component of how work is evolving.
Prompting Parties and Peer Support
The story of Gen AI at Uber isn’t one of top-down mandates or rigid programs. Instead, it’s one of grassroots learning and community-driven innovation. Team members are not only using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini—they’re coaching each other in how to use them better.
“We call them prompting parties,” says Monllau, with a smile. These informal sessions are designed for collective problem-solving. Someone might share a prompt that didn’t deliver the desired outcome, and others will jump in to tweak and improve it. This shared iteration helps people move from frustration to fluency.
As the team’s skills have grown, so has the ambition of their projects. Colleagues are building their own chatbots, then sharing them with others. “I created this chatbot, here’s what it does—if it’s useful, feel free to use it,” Monllau explains. The community has moved beyond sharing successes to co-creating solutions. It’s not about doing the work for someone else—it’s about showing them how, and empowering them to grow.
Peer mentorship is central to this ethos. Monllau describes turning to colleagues with deeper technical knowledge and deliberately inviting others into those conversations. “If I don’t know something, I don’t ask privately. I ask publicly. Because if I have the question, someone else probably does too.” This intentional vulnerability fosters psychological safety and speeds collective learning.
Making Adoption Inevitable
When it came to rolling out Gen AI more broadly, Monllau and her team leaned into two messages: the opportunity and the inevitability. The opportunity is clear—greater efficiency, faster analysis, and more time for creative, strategic thinking. But the inevitability is just as compelling. “If you were an accountant when Excel came out and you didn’t use it, you got left behind,” Monllau says. Gen AI, she believes, is that level of disruption.
To get everyone on board, Uber deployed enterprise-wide trainings that mixed technical demos with practical use cases. “We blocked time on calendars and said, this training is highly encouraged—make sure you take it.” These sessions provided the groundwork for individual teams to begin experimenting and sharing on their own.
The goal wasn’t perfection—it was participation. People were encouraged to speak openly about their experiments, no matter how small. When someone used Gen AI in a new way, they were celebrated. These stories helped normalize the technology and built momentum across the team.
Navigating Risks and Building Trust
Of course, Gen AI isn’t without its risks. Bias, hallucinations, and data security are real concerns. Uber addresses these through a combination of policy and practice. The company classifies data into different levels, with strict rules about what can be shared with AI platforms.
But the biggest safeguard, Monllau says, is human judgment. “AI is a support tool—it helps you accelerate, but it doesn’t replace you.” Teams use Gen AI to generate initial drafts or compile scenario data, but they still come together to analyze and decide. “We believe there isn’t one answer to anything. AI offers a perspective, not a conclusion.”
That collaborative mindset applies to managing bias as well. By sharing outputs, challenging assumptions, and reviewing results together, Uber’s teams keep human insight at the center of AI use. It’s a model of augmented intelligence rather than artificial replacement.
The Road Ahead for Gen AI at Uber
Looking forward, Monllau sees Gen AI accelerating the pace of work and elevating the type of work humans do. “We’ll automate repetitive tasks and use AI to get us to the first draft faster. Then we come together to do the thinking, the fun part.” For corporate real estate—a traditionally conservative sector—this shift could be transformative.
She’s particularly excited about how Gen AI is attracting new players to the space. “We’re seeing entrants from outside the traditional real estate world—people with tech backgrounds, new ideas. That’s healthy. It challenges us to move beyond the old-school way of doing things.”
Even as the tools evolve, Monllau emphasizes that the heart of Uber’s success with Gen AI lies in its culture. A culture where asking questions is safe, sharing knowledge is expected, and no one is left behind. “This is new for everyone,” she says. “We should be helping each other.”
In a world racing toward digital transformation, Uber’s approach stands out. It’s not just about deploying technology. It’s about building communities of learning around that technology—where every chatbot, every prompt, and every question is part of a shared journey forward.
President Donald Trump scored a key legislative victory today after the House approved his sweeping tax and spending overhaul, setting the stage for a high-profile signing ceremony at the White House on Independence Day.
The bill, which includes broad tax relief and significant increases in defense funding, passed after weeks of intense lobbying by Republican leaders who worked to unite their fractured ranks behind Trump’s ambitious second-term agenda.
Calling it his “big, beautiful bill,” Trump is expected to sign the legislation Thursday at 5 p.m. ET as part of Fourth of July festivities at the White House.
“This is a huge win for American workers, families and our national strength,” Trump said in a brief statement, crediting GOP lawmakers for delivering a long-promised overhaul.
The multi-trillion-dollar package includes deep reductions to federal safety net programs, marking the largest such cuts in decades. These reductions helped offset new spending on national security and expanded tax breaks for businesses and high earners.
Democrats fiercely opposed the bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries set a new modern record for the longest House floor speech, using his unlimited “magic minute” to speak for hours against the measure in an effort to delay its passage.
Despite the resistance, the Republican-led House advanced the bill late Wednesday, giving Trump the first major policy win of his second term and setting up a contentious battle over its long-term economic and social impact.
Urban development is entering a new era, driven by the rising influence of private equity infrastructure funds and the transformative power of tokenization. As cities expand and modernize, the demand for sustainable, large-scale infrastructure is growing rapidly. Traditionally, these long-term projects were funded by institutional investors with high entry barriers and low liquidity.
Tokenization is transforming the landscape by enabling fractional ownership, enhancing visibility, and enabling investors to trade digital tokens backed by real-world infrastructure assets. This innovation is making private equity infrastructure funds more accessible and flexible while aligning with the long timelines of urban development.
In this blog, we examine how tokenized infrastructure funds are transforming investment models and facilitating the development of smarter, more resilient cities.
Infrastructure Investing: The Traditional Model
Historically, private equity infrastructure funds required substantial capital commitments and had limited liquidity. They invested in transportation, energy, utilities, and communication networks, offering stable but long-term returns. While suited for pension funds and large institutions, this model restricted access to a broader pool of investors. Moreover, the rigid structure of traditional funds often made them less adaptable to changing economic conditions or investor preferences.
Tokenization now introduces a more dynamic investment structure. By digitizing ownership into tokens, these funds can maintain their long-term focus while offering more flexible investor participation. This is especially important for infrastructure, where the timeline from planning to completion can span decades. Investors benefit from increased liquidity without compromising the stability that infrastructure assets typically provide.
How Tokenization Works in Infrastructure Funds
Tokenization involves using blockchain technology to convert asset ownership into digital tokens. In private equity infrastructure funds, this means that investors can own a fractional stake in a fund or a specific asset, which is recorded securely on a distributed ledger. Each token can represent a legally recognized stake when structured with the appropriate legal wrapper, and smart contracts help automate compliance, payouts, and reporting.
This innovation enables multiple benefits. First, it lowers the investment threshold, allowing more participants to engage with infrastructure as an asset class. Second, it introduces the potential for secondary markets, improving liquidity for what has historically been an illiquid investment. Third, it increases clarity, with real-time visibility into asset performance and ownership.
For fund managers, tokenization simplifies capital raising, streamlines administrative processes, and can even support global investor participation while complying with local regulations.
Enabling Smarter Urban Development
The infrastructure needs of modern cities extend beyond roads and bridges. They include digital connectivity, renewable energy, water management, and climate-resilient construction. Private equity infrastructure funds play a crucial role in funding these critical areas, aligning long-term investment capital with urban transformation goals.
Tokenized funds enhance this alignment. By increasing accessibility and capital flow, tokenized private equity infrastructure funds enable more projects to move forward without relying excessively on public funding. Urban planners and developers benefit from diversified capital sources, while investors gain exposure to projects that have a real-world impact.
These funds also often incorporate ESG frameworks into their investment strategy, ensuring that urban growth is not only fast and efficient but also environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
Increasing Liquidity in a Traditionally Illiquid Market
One of the most significant limitations of traditional private equity infrastructure funds has been the lack of liquidity. Investors commit capital for many years, with few options to exit early. This can deter potential participants who seek more flexibility or need capital in the short to medium term.
Tokenization changes this by enabling ownership units to be digitally issued and transferred more efficiently within compliant platforms. The secondary market introduces optionality and flexibility without undermining the fund’s long-term strategy. Investors can buy and sell their stakes more freely, while fund managers still maintain control over asset performance and governance.
Increased liquidity also improves pricing transparency and enhances portfolio diversification opportunities for those looking to balance long- and short-term investment horizons.
Bridging Infrastructure and Innovation
Smart cities require smart capital. As urban systems become more connected and data-driven, infrastructure investment must also evolve. Tokenized private equity infrastructure funds bring the necessary innovation to match the digital needs of urban development.
Blockchain technology used in tokenization supports better data management, investor reporting, and regulatory compliance. It creates an ecosystem where each stakeholder, from fund managers to regulators, can access consistent, verified information. This enhances trust and operational efficiency, making infrastructure investing more clear and agile.
Moreover, tokenization opens the door to new investor classes, including family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and eventually even retail investors, further expanding the capital available for urban transformation.
Regulatory and Institutional Momentum
As tokenization gains traction, regulators are beginning to shape policies around digital asset ownership, smart contracts, and investor protections. This is a necessary step to ensure that tokenized private equity infrastructure funds operate within safe, compliant frameworks.
Institutional interest is also growing. As regulatory clarity improves, more established fund managers are experimenting with tokenized fund structures, validating the model and setting industry benchmarks. These developments will help scale adoption and bring tokenized infrastructure investing closer to mainstream capital markets.
With the support of both the private and public sectors, tokenization is on track to become a core component of how infrastructure is financed, developed, and owned.
Infrastructure Investing for a Digital Future
The future of urban development lies at the intersection of capital, technology, and sustainability. Private equity infrastructure funds have long provided the financial strength needed to build cities, and tokenization is now unlocking a new dimension of accessibility, visibility, and liquidity. This combination is making infrastructure investing more inclusive, efficient, and aligned with the modern challenges of urban development.
As tokenized fund models evolve, they will empower investors to engage with long-term projects more flexibly while cities gain access to the capital needed for resilient and inclusive growth. For those looking to unlock the power of tokenization in infrastructure investing, platforms like rootVX are helping make high-quality, real-world assets more accessible through secure, digital ownership structures.
By Terence Tse
CFOs are evolving into AI-driven transformation orchestrators, balancing finance, technology, and strategy while upskilling teams, managing risks, and driving measurable business value.
A key insight from this year’s AI for CFOs event, organized...
The World Financial Review uses cookies to improve site functionality, provide you with a better browsing experience, and to enable our partners to advertise to you. Detailed information on the use of cookies on this Site, and how you can decline them, is provided in our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. By clicking on the accept button and using this Site, you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Edward Nikulin
Joseph Mazur
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
