China's iron grip on the rare earths needed in today's most strategic industries is something that US President Donald Trump appears to be focused on, but the fight also involves Europe
Japan, the third-strongest global economic power for over a decade, has been surpassed by Germany. It grapples with inflation, sluggish consumerism and demographic decline.
The production and export of food are economically important for both Morocco and its customers, both in Europe and Africa. Yet not everyone is pleased, as France's president found out this week.
A new form of green fuel could quickly provide some of Europe's big energy solutions. From across the Mediterranean, producer states like Morocco are getting ready.
Both China and the Gulf have much to offer one another, especially with the Gulf's thirst for big infrastructure projects and China's thirst for carbon.
Cairo and Abu Dhabi shook hands on a huge development project on Egypt's north coast, giving it a much-needed cash injection. But is Egypt selling the family silver in desperation?
Twin fears of an inward-looking Donald Trump and a westward-looking Vladimir Putin have left officials in Europe's treasuries urgently revising their budgets to make room for more defence spending.
Despite sanctions, a brain drain, investor withdrawal, inflation, high interest rates, falling oil prices and reducing reserves, Vladimir Putin thinks Russia's economy is A-grade. Is it?
A deal in Brussels to update the bloc's 25-year-old Stability and Growth Pact on spending and borrowing rules could lead to new EU bonds and regulations. Yet it could also help the populist far-right.
The revival of a long-shelved plan highlights Egypt's ambition for a secure, low-carbon source of power also capable of driving development and growth.
The depiction of a land-grabbing colonialist power turning on its weaker neighbour feels aimed at Israel, its advocates say. Yet supporters of Palestine should be up in arms, too.
US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack used his latest visit to Beirut to deliver what was, in effect, an ultimatum to the Lebanese government, though he took care not to present it as such
The moves by France, the UK and other Western states appear to be more about appeasing domestic critics with symbolic gestures rather than a genuine attempt to change Israel's behaviour