IIR's February 23 Market Scorecard Brings You Breaking Geopolitical News

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Researched by IIR News Intelligence (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
Four years into its full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia is feeling the effects		AI Summary: Four years into the Ukraine invasion, the Russian town of Yelets reflects the grim domestic toll of war. Amidst military recruitment billboards and murals honoring fallen soldiers, residents navigate drone attack sirens and concrete street shelters. Despite lingering patriotic support, surging inflation, tax hikes, and economic stagnation leave many impoverished, powerless, and quietly disillusioned today.	BBC	Supreme Court Rejects Trump Tariffs under IEEPA
Board of Peace meets as storm clouds gather for another possible Middle East war		AI Summary: President Trump's Middle East policy currently hinges on two intertwined challenges: implementing his Gaza ceasefire plan and confronting Iran's nuclear program. At the recent Board of Peace summit, international leaders pledged funds for Gaza's reconstruction, though disarming Hamas remains unresolved. Concurrently, amid a massive military buildup, Trump weighs diplomacy against imminent military strikes on Iran.	Middle East Institute	EPA Finalizes Repeal of Biden-era Amendments to MATS Rule
Oil at six-month high with nuclear talks and US tariffs in focus		Oil prices reached a six-month high on Monday as the U.S. and Iran prepared for a third round of nuclear talks while increased economic uncertainty was also in focus after the latest U.S. tariff upheaval. Growing concern over potential military conflict between the U.S. and Iran pushed Brent prices up more than 5% last week to their highest since July 2025 at $72.34.	Reuters	Canada's Cenovus Upbeat on Production
European stocks start the week lower as markets react to new Trump tariffs South Korea's Kospi hits fresh high as Asian markets brush off Trump's latest tariff moves		AI Summary: European markets opened lower after President Trump suddenly announced a new 15% global tariff, reversing the optimism from last week's Supreme Court ruling against his previous levies. While U.S. futures slipped, corporate highlights included JD Sports surging on a buyback plan and Johnson Matthey plunging over a discounted unit sale. AI Summary: Asia and Pacific markets traded mixed on Monday after President Trump replaced his invalidated trade agenda with a new fifteen percent global tariff. While South Korea and Hong Kong stock indices rallied, the Australian market fell. Concurrently, Bitcoin dropped below $65,000 and oil prices slipped amid renewed global economic uncertainty.	CNBC	Investment Plummets for Europe's Chemical Industry How Will Tight Copper Market Affect Data Center Growth?
Natural Gas News: Market Awaits Weather Report, 50-Day MA at $3.249 in Focus		AI Summary: Natural gas futures are consolidating ahead of the spring shoulder season. While a brief Northeast cold snap through February 25 may temporarily spike demand and squeeze weak shorts, any rally will likely face heavy selling from professional hedgers. Despite tight current storage, record production levels and high active rig counts will soon bridge supply gaps.	FX Empire	PJM Greenlights Nearly $12 Billion in T&D Capacity Expansions
China urges US to cancel unilateral tariffs after Supreme Court ruling		AI Summary: Following the U.S. Supreme Court's invalidation of President Trump's tariffs, China's Ministry of Commerce has urged Washington to completely abandon its unilateral trade measures. Warning that protectionist trade wars yield no winners and violate international laws, Beijing emphasized that mutual cooperation benefits both nations, while pledging to safeguard its interests against alternative U.S. trade investigations.	Anadolu Agency	Major California Ports See Shift Away From China Exports
America's Nuclear Comeback Is Gaining Momentum		AI Summary: Driven by President Trump's ambitious clean energy directives, the United States is financing a historic nuclear renaissance. Supported by tech giants and billions in public and private funding, deployment of Westinghouse AP1000 units and TerraPower small modular reactors is accelerating. However, overcoming chronic workforce shortages and revitalizing stagnant supply chains remain formidable long term challenges.	OilPrice	U.S. Threatens to Leave International Energy Agency over Climate-Focused Forecasts
Week 02/16/26 - 02/23/26		Many are wondering about the potential global economic fallout after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down U.S. Tariffs under IEEPA; in response, the U.S. administration announced a 15% global tariff under Section 122. The EU and China have already cautioned restraint as their markets react -- with European stocks lower, while Asian markets trade higher. Expect more volatility and uncertainty ahead for these markets. This is as the world remains poised for war to break out in the Middle East, with geopolitical premiums in energy markets pushing oil to six-month highs. This last week in February is certain of one thing -- nobody truly knows what's next on the global stage.
*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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IIR News is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resource's Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).

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