That Was the Week That Was - 1st March 2025

Week Ending 1st March 2025

Hello there, geopolitics aficionados. Another week, another set of global power plays, unexpected twists, and a few moments that had world leaders reaching for their strongest espresso. Let’s break it all down.

1. AI: The New Global Arms Race (But With Fewer Explosions—For Now)
France hosted the AI Action Summit, bringing together world leaders, tech CEOs, and probably a few nervous regulators to discuss how to keep artificial intelligence from either enslaving humanity or simply making the rich even richer. The takeaway? Governments are sprinting to catch up with AI’s breakneck pace, and if they don’t, we might all be working for an algorithm sooner than we think.

2. Munich Security Conference: Same Problems, New Packaging
Germany played host to the annual gathering of global security bigwigs, where everyone tried very hard to sound optimistic while mostly discussing the same unresolved crises—Ukraine, the Middle East, cyber warfare, and the always-tense U.S.-Europe relationship. One thing’s for sure: Europe is increasingly nervous about how much it can rely on Washington, especially with a U.S. election on the horizon.

3. Germany Goes to the Polls (Sort Of by Accident)
Germany’s coalition government collapsed faster than a poorly made pretzel, leading to a snap federal election. With economic anxieties high and defence debates raging, the election could reshape Germany’s stance on European security and its relationship with NATO. Stay tuned—this one matters more than just for Berlin.

4. Ukraine Marks Three Years of War—and the West Holds Its Breath
Three years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is still fighting, still standing, and still relying on Western support. But that support is looking shakier, with funding debates dragging on in Washington and European unity showing some cracks. This war isn’t just about Ukraine—it’s about whether Western democracies can stay committed when conflicts don’t fit into neat, short news cycles.

5. The Universe Is Calling—NASA Picks Up
NASA launched its SPHEREx mission, designed to map the entire sky and uncover secrets of the cosmos. Why does this matter in a geopolitical newsletter? Because space is the next frontier for both scientific discovery and defence posturing. Every major power is jostling for a position up there, and with commercial players like Musk and Bezos also in the mix, it’s becoming the Wild West—just with fewer cowboy hats and more satellites.

How It All Ties Together

• Tech & Security Are Colliding: The AI Summit and Munich Security Conference show how defence strategies are increasingly linked to emerging technologies.
• Democracy vs. Autocracy: Ukraine’s war anniversary and Germany’s political shake-up highlight the ongoing battle between open societies and authoritarian pressures.
• Global Power Plays: Whether in AI, elections, or space, major powers are positioning themselves for long-term influence.

What’s Coming Next?

• China’s Moves: With Beijing keeping a watchful eye on the West’s Ukraine commitments, expect fresh manoeuvres in the Indo-Pacific.
• Election Fallout: Germany’s political shake-up could have ripple effects on EU policies and NATO’s future.
• Space Drama: As more nations invest in orbital ambitions, expect diplomatic tussles over space governance.

Fun Fact of the Week

Remember when people mocked Donald Trump for suggesting the U.S. buy Greenland? Turns out, the Pentagon is now heavily investing in Greenland’s resources and strategic positioning. Sometimes, the most bizarre ideas have a kernel of strategic genius buried inside.

That’s your weekly download. Stay curious, stay skeptical, and as always—watch this space.

End of Report.