Full coverage: Geopolitics

This week has seen the US set the European agenda, giving its Nato allies a choice between a real war or a trade war.

Private equity is pumping huge sums of money into the creation of autonomous killing machines which have no human intervention whatsoever. The practice is raising ethical questions but as long as the profits are there it will continue.

China's obvious choice is to side with Russia in the face of growing US demands. For Europe, an alternative has opened between supporting the American push for a Nato-backed expansion of Western influence or a more multi-polar world.

At first sight, gold may look overvalued after recent price hikes. When you consider the trajectory of interest rates and mounting geopolitical risks, however, it could just be the start.

Small states don’t count for much on the global stage. That means that there are inherent vulnerabilities Ireland must deal with if it is to prosper. But how?

This book is hands down the best explainer about the world of chips I’ve ever come across, and it really demystifies the complexity of the industry. It is truly astonishing to get such a deep insight into how a handful of people changed the trajectory of our lives forever. 

Adam Tooze’s latest book chronicles the year between January 20, 2020, and January 20, 2021, as the world realised Covid for the threat it was and moved to deal with it. The economist and historian talks about how the crisis has altered the world, the nature of geopolitics and the future.

As the global geopolitical climate heats up, China will not have the luxury of being able to solely focus on long-term domestic policies and will need to make some challenging decisions to protect its core interests.