WS #15647

Geopolitical risk is escalating rapidly as the Pentagon prepares for potential strikes on Iran, with the White House directing military options to influence gas prices ahead of the midterm elections. This escalation is compounded by a massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake in Panama and a tsunami warning, creating a dual-threat environment for global supply chains. The G7 has initiated a diesel reserve release to counter fuel price spikes, though France and Germany note the reserves are largely composed of old pledges, limiting the intervention's effectiveness. In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has suspended Microsoft's H-1B green card program, citing a ratio of foreign to domestic workers, which introduces new regulatory headwinds for the tech sector.