Global Scans · USA · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Donald Trump's surprise win in the Presidential election mean the world and America can expect prolonged uncertainty as new domestic policies are put in place, different international relationships formed and attitudes change towards current friends and rivals.

• [New] Geopolitical risks between the US and Iran eased today and weighed on crude prices after Iran said it had reached a general agreement with the US on a nuclear deal that would lift sanctions on Iran and reduce the risk of war in the Middle East. Barchart.com
• [New] The U.S. Space Force is pursuing Project Hecate, a long-term initiative to ensure GPS survivability beyond 2040. KeepTrack
• [New] The U.S. Navy plans to deploy a medium unmanned surface vessel with the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group. KeepTrack
• [New] US submarine forces will be in high demand, so allies will need to contribute similar capacities in the Arctic rather than rely on the United States. Hudson Institute
• [New] The US is in a strategic position to coordinate joint operational planning and acquisition plans to ensure that deterrence is effective across the Arctic and that its allies could defend themselves in full-scale warfare. Hudson Institute
• [New] The US and its allies have few polar-capable capabilities and need to develop them as military-strategic threats grow in complexity. Hudson Institute
• [New] Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are gradually adopting claims processing software as insurers modernize operations, indicating long-term growth potential across developing regions. MEXC
• [New] Virtus plans to deploy approximately $750 million in debt and equity to expand production, aiming to secure a reliable supply of cobalt for U.S.-aligned industries. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Total U.S. travel spending is forecast to reach $1.2 trillion in 2026. Kavout
• [New] The US economy added +130,000 jobs in January, far exceeding the median forecast of +68,000 anticipated in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Staffing Industry Analysts
• [New] In an innovative move, the U.S. Navy plans to pair a medium unmanned surface vessel with the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group in its upcoming deployment. KeepTrack
• [New] The United States will not finalize a security agreement with Ukraine until after Ukraine and Russia reach a peace agreement and that the United States is pushing Ukraine to make concessions in order to conclude a peace agreement by Summer 2026. Critical Threats
• [New] In the US, extending a healthy lifespan by one year could generate an estimated $38 trillion in economic value by improving productivity of people. World Governments Summit
• [New] Artificial intelligence disruption continues to weigh on US equity markets, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both declining 1.4%, whilst the Dow Jones retreated 1.2%. IG
• [New] From 2027, US-commanded Virginia-class submarines will be based in Australia, while several Virginia submarines will be sold to Canberra from around 2030. Deutsche Welle
• [New] U.S. voice assistant users are projected to reach 170.3 million by 2028, representing steady compound annual growth of 3.3%. Hubspot
• Emissions We forecast U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to decrease by 1.4% in 2026 relative to 2025 and to decrease by an additional 0.5% in 2027 relative to 2026. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• The United States will average around 2,117 HDDs in the first quarter of 2026, 5% more HDDs than the 10-year average. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• CEVA forecasts a double-digit percentage increase in Non-GAAP net income and fully diluted Non-GAAP EPS for FY2025, fueled by strong licensing momentum and expected royalty growth in 5G, Wi-Fi, and cellular IoT sectors. / USA Public
• The arrival of highly skilled foreign workers into the United States generates a range of positive gains for trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation-benefits that other nations will snap up an increasing share of if the United States continues to tighten its immigration rules. Hoover Institution

Last updated: 18 February 2026