Middle East Security: Iran-linked strikes have severely damaged the U.S. Fifth Fleet logistics hub in Bahrain, forcing evacuation of about 1,300 families and leaving the port access for the USS Abraham Lincoln in question, with the Pentagon now weighing whether to rebuild or shrink its footprint. Yemen–Saudi Tech & War Risk: Houthis launched fresh missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets as Iran denied involvement; the renewed pressure comes while Hormuz bypass and Red Sea routes face disruption. Nuclear & Mining: In Vienna, Saudi Arabia reiterated its nuclear program plans with IAEA support, while also announcing discovery of 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore in the Madinah region. Energy Markets: Saudi’s closure of its East-West pipeline after drone attacks, plus Hormuz-area strikes, pushed oil above $100 and fed inflation fears ahead of the Fed. AI Governance & Markets: Calls from major AI leaders to slow frontier model development rattled tech stocks across Asia and the U.S., even as Trump dismissed AI regulation efforts. Saudi Digital Finance: Tabby raised $233m at a $6.5b valuation, and Tradeshift incorporated “Tradeshift Arabia” to expand AI e-invoicing and B2B commerce for Saudi Vision 2030. Travel Tech: Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai put AI and “Travel 2040” front and center, with a dedicated Travel Tech track. Healthcare Tech (UAE): Sharjah’s Kanaf Centre adopted multispectral imaging to detect child injuries not visible under normal light, aiming to strengthen forensic documentation. Iraq–France Deals: Iraq and France signed defense, energy, civil aviation, youth, research and innovation agreements during Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s Paris visit.