Copper is at the nexus of two new megatrends: artificial intelligence and rising military spending https://t.co/0YTKBXNFuz ...

From @WSJopinion: This week’s parade in Beijing is an opening for the Commander in Chief to tell Americans that putting serious money toward the U.S. military is a better option than ceding the world to Xi, Putin and Kim https://t.co/FqjThnBjgl ...

Portugal will buy defense equipment from both Europe and the US as it prepares to ramp up military spending to meet NATO targets https://t.co/IM1KABOQLz ...

Defense Spending - NATO members are on track to spend more than $1.5 trillion on defense in 2025 [1] - This increase is due to geopolitical tensions and pressure from the US [1] - The spending reflects a build-up of militaries among NATO members [1]

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said military spending is expected to reach 5% of GDP by 2030, underscoring his government’s commitment to self-defense to protect the island from China https://t.co/7DDmCzlAhb ...

The Pentagon plans to spend more than $3.5 billion to replenish inventories in the wake of recurring Israel operations, underscoring the costs of maintaining a stepped-up presence in the Middle East https://t.co/o5CjKEPXRf ...

Economic Impact of War - War has acted as a significant stimulus for the Russian economy, leading to increased military spending since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine [2] - Russia's economy in 2024 outpaced most advanced nations, including the US, due to its economic focus on supplying the war effort [4] - The expansion of the military-industrial complex has absorbed labor, causing unemployment in Russia to fall to a 30-year low [5] Sanctions and Adaptation - Despite being the most sanctioned major economy, Russia has demonstrated an ability to adapt to economic pressure [3] - Russia's oil and gas sector, constituting approximately 20% of its GDP, has largely sustained high levels of spending [6] Future Outlook and Risks - Experts anticipate Russia will attempt to sustain its military economy for years, potentially eyeing conflicts beyond Ukraine [7] - Russian defense expenditure is projected to peak in 2025, contingent on a ceasefire, with spending remaining elevated compared to 2021-2022 levels [7] - Concerns are growing that potential actions could have far-reaching consequences, especially as cracks in Russia's economy begin to surface [6]

Investment Focus - Porsche and Volkswagen's owners are establishing a fund for defense-industry investments [1] - The fund aims to capitalize on the anticipated increase in European military spending [1]

Economic Impact of War & Sanctions - Despite war and sanctions, Russia's economy has shown resilience, even outpacing some advanced nations in growth in 2024 [1][5] - Initial expectations of sanctions crippling the Russian economy, such as "turning the ruble to rubble," did not fully materialize [4] - Russia reoriented its economy by shifting export markets to China and India, primarily for fuel exports, mitigating the impact of sanctions [7] - The war has acted as a stimulus, with military spending increasing from approximately $50 billion to nearly $150 billion annually since 2022 [2][3] Financial Sustainability & Future Outlook - Russia is currently spending more than it earns, depleting its reserves to supplement its budget [9] - At the current rate of expenditure, Russia's reserves are projected to be depleted around 2030 [9] - Oil and gas sector contributes about 20% of Russia's GDP, but analysts warn that current spending levels are unsustainable [8] - Potential secondary sanctions, such as 100% tariffs on those buying Russian oil, could be catastrophic if major buyers like China and India cease purchases, as oil and gas revenues account for 1/3 to 1/2 of Russia's annual budget [10] Geopolitical & Economic Risks - Increased military spending has led to a decrease in unemployment, reaching a 30-year low [8] - While wage inflation has outpaced general inflation, improving the standard of living for Russians, this is considered unsustainable [12] - Experts anticipate Russia will maintain elevated defense spending even after a potential ceasefire, driven by perceived threats [13][14]

Telefonica has identified an opportunity to grow its defense business outside Spain as countries across Europe ramp up military spending, its executive chairman says https://t.co/aVDbo0lDXj ...