IIR's December 22 Market Scorecard Brings You Breaking Geopolitical News

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Stay current with the latest geopolitical events, and more importantly, instantly connect to how these events may impact you and your business strategies.

Event	MarCon*	IIR Comment	Outlet	IIR News
US says talks with Russia, Ukraine in Miami 'constructive, productive'		AI Summary: US Envoy Steve Witkoff's Miami talks signal a high-stakes diplomatic pivot toward ending the four-year war. Grounded in Trump's 20-point plan, the "productive" dialogue seeks to align security and economic frameworks. Yet, territorial stalemates and Russian skepticism reveal how fragile it all is. Success depends on whether Russia's commitment reflects a genuine strategic shift or merely tactical geopolitical optics.	Aljazeera	U.S. Manufacturers Boost Capex Expectations, but Tariffs Remain a Business Challenge
Israel approves 19 new settlements in occupied West Bank		AI Summary: Israel's approval of 19 West Bank settlements represents a calculated maneuver to physically obstruct the viability of a Palestinian state. This illegal expansion fuels regional volatility and risks derailing the US 20-point peace plan. Despite international condemnation and warnings of eroding American support, the decision underscores a prioritized pursuit of territorial permanence over diplomatic resolution.	BBC	EU Backs Down on Ban for Petrol and Diesel Cars
Oil prices rise on risk of disruptions to Venezuela, Russia supply		Oil prices rose on Monday after the U.S. Coast Guard began pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela a day earlier, and Ukraine damaged two vessels and piers in Russia, raising the risk of oil supply disruptions. Venezuelan crude accounts for 1% of global supply.	Reuters	Dallas Fed: Doubt, Uncertainty Continue to Slow Oil & Gas Activity
Asia-Pacific markets trade higher as investors assess China's key lending rate decision Gold and silver prices soar to new highs as the yellow metal reemerges as a hedge		AI Summary: Asia-Pacific markets surged Monday as investors found stability in China's decision to maintain benchmark loan prime rates. Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's Kospi led the regional ascent, navigating recent Bank of Japan rate hikes with renewed optimism. Buoyed by tech-driven momentum from Wall Street, the region signals a resilient confidence in technological growth. AI Summary: Gold and silver reached historic highs on December 22, 2025, with gold touching $4,445.8 and silver hitting $68.96 per ounce. Driven by outsized fiscal deficits and shifting Federal Reserve leadership, gold has reemerged as a vital monetary hedge. Meanwhile, silver's 128% annual surge reflects a structural deficit fueled by record demand in solar panels and electric vehicles.	CNBC	Phillips 66 Boosts 2026 Capex to $2.4 Billion, Focusing on NGLs, Refining Second Gas Turbine Delivered to Support Georgia Power's New Generation Capacity
Natural Gas Price Outlook -- Natural Gas Rallies to Kick Off Shortened Week		AI Summary: Despite Monday's early gap higher, natural gas remains tethered to the 50-day EMA near $4.25. However, seasonal heating demand and upcoming January contract rollovers suggest a bullish trajectory toward $5.00. While thin holiday liquidity and weather volatility persist, $3.75 offers a strategic floor for investors seeking to leverage this annual cyclical recovery.	FX Empire	Lake Charles LNG Suspended
Southeast Asia Can't Hedge on the US-China Rivalry Forever		AI Summary: Southeast Asia's historical "hedging" between Chinese prosperity and American security is fracturing as strategic rivalry intensifies. Hardening US-China competition and aggressive 2025 tariff regimes--reaching 40% for some--now force agonizing choices, disrupting export-led growth models. From the Philippines' US alignment to Cambodia's Chinese dependence, the region's once-flexible ambiguity is becoming a perilous liability.	National Interest	Rescue Plan for Australia's Largest Aluminum Smelter
Nova Scotia Clears First Hurdle for Massive Jet Fuel Project		AI Summary: Nova Sustainable Fuels' $4--6B Nova Scotia plant received environmental approval, signaling a shift toward low-carbon aviation. Powered by renewables, it targets sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, reducing emissions by 80%. The project could make the province a SAF hub, but faces further environmental reviews. Despite growing airline interest, SAF remains a tiny share of global jet fuel.	OilPrice	Brazil's Transportation Sector Energy Demand Could Reach 836 Million Barrels in 2035
Week 12/15/25 - 12/22/25		As the year draws to a close during these Holidaze, eyes will be on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine negotiations to see if there will indeed be a "Christmas Miracle" breakthrough; also, Israel could be further stressing the "Gaza Peace Plan" before "Phase II" is enacted. The economic markets are parsing all the Central Bank News of late as they try to sort out fundamental supply and demand logistics within the global supply chain. These exercises are to determine the health of the world economic system as a whole heading into the New Year. And, though the Commodity Markets have been "bah humbug" of late, there have been geopolitical actions from South America to the Middle East to APAC...which could be bringing more geopolitical premiums into the market.
*MarCon (Market Condition 1-5, with 5 being the highest impact) indicates directional bias or price effect for the relevant commodity (Oil, Natural Gas, Chemicals, etc.) and is graded by our team of experts here at IIR.

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