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The government of Kuwait on Thursday has made clear it retains all rights to take measures to preserve its security, following a overnight Iranian missile strike. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry further condemned the fresh missile ?and drone ?attacks on its territory as ?a serious escalation and "blatant violation of sovereignty and ?security."

The Iranian launch, which Tehran says targeted a US base in Kuwait, came in response to US bombardment of an Iranian drone base near the southern city of Bandar Abbas which occurred just prior.

In a new statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirms that "At 10:17 p.m. ET on May 27, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait that was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces."

"This egregious ceasefire violation by the Iranian regime occurred hours after Iranian forces launched five one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat in and near the Strait of Hormuz," the US military statement continued.

"All drones were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces which also prevented a sixth drone launch from an Iranian ground control site in Bandar Abbas," it added. "U.S. Central Command and regional partners remain vigilant and measured as we continue to defend our forces and interests from unjustified Iranian aggression."

Additionally, the Gulf stated strongly condemned the fresh Iranian attack, with the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, denouncing it as follows: "The secretary-general pointed out that the continuation of these treacherous attacks is a flagrant violation of the principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the principles of good neighborliness."

"His excellency affirmed the GCC countries’ full support for the state of Kuwait in all measures it takes to preserve its security and stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents," the GCC statement added.

A separate Gulf statement further condemned the act of 'terrorism' - per Al Aljazeera:

The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have condemned a missile attack on a US airbase in Kuwait with only the UAE expressly naming Iran as responsible for the “terrorist attacks”.

In statements shared on social media, the foreign ministries of the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia said they consider the attack “a flagrant violation” of Kuwait’s sovereignty, and expressed their countries’ “full solidarity” with Kuwait and “support for all measures” it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability.

This marks the second live-fire attack flare-up this week, after earlier Wednesday Iran fired drones on American and other foreign commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

"American F/A-18, F-16 and F-35 jet fighters shot down the drones, then the F/A-18s hit the ground-control unit before it could launch a fifth drone, one of the officials said," The Wall Street Journal summarizes of that first incident.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard released footage showing the launch of missiles toward the U.S. base in Kuwait, describing it as retaliation for the American attack near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

The video also featured symbolic anti-U.S. imagery. pic.twitter.com/s1qlIQEQRy

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 28, 2026

It seems that Iran is asserting some red lines through single, sporadic attacks, when it perceives a US military violation of its sovereignty. WSJ cites the following:

The spokesman for the National Security Commission in Iran’s parliament said Trump’s unwillingness to acknowledge that the U.S. and Tehran were still at war was a sign of his weak negotiating position. "Diplomats should not let go of the enemy’s weak point and should impose maximum demands on them," the spokesman said.

Currently, negotiations are still primarily stuck on the nuclear issue. President Trump has vowed not to let off sanctions pressure until Tehran agrees to dismantle its nuclear program by handing over highly enriched uranium to be transferred off its territory. Iranian officials say this simply will not happen, and that it would be tantamount to handing over the country's sovereignty. 

President Trump's war economy is accelerating, with a new report indicating that the Department of War is set to unleash funding deals across a handful of drone companies. The effort comes as the DoW's procurement program now favors startups, and there has been an emphasis within the department on ramping up America's drone manufacturing base, as hyper-innovation from the war in Ukraine has brought forward 2030s-era war technology.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the DoW has been in talks with a group of drone startups and suppliers, including Performance Drone Works, Unusual Machines, and Neros Technologies, about potential funding packages that could include debt, conditional loans, and possible equity stakes.

The financing would not be used to purchase batches of suicide drones directly. Instead, the plan is to expand domestic manufacturing capacity, lower unit costs, and help these war-unicorn startups ramp up production ahead of a major stockpiling effort by the DoW.

The DoW's $1.1 billion Drone Dominance initiative aims to stockpile 300,000 low-cost attack drones by the end of 2027 at a unit price of less than $5,000.

The WSJ's report sent drone-related firms soaring in premarket trading, with Unusual Machines soaring 33%, Red Cat up 13%, AeroVironment up 8%, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions up 8.4%, and Airo Group up 2.9%.

None of this should be surprising to readers, as we've detailed the Trump team's playbook with the DoW to reset procurement programs, funneling funding into defense startups while building out production lines for low-cost war machines, such as drones and robots.

We identified Axon, which plans to import Ukrainian war tech into the US to build up US stockpiles faster.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is becoming a drone manufacturing hub for allied forces that stretch across Eurasia.

Let's remind readers of our forward-looking theme published in January. 31: 

• "Explosion In AI Data Center Buildouts Will Demand Next-Gen Counter-Drone Security"

Then, after a couple of data centers in the Gulf area were hit by Iranian attack drones, we note:

• "Micro AI Sentry Guns May Be Next Layer Of Defense For Data Centers Against Kamikaze Drones"

Beyond one-way attack drones and interceptor drones, we suspect counter-drone threat systems, such as passive acoustic detection, will become popular in the US because there is a missing layer of air defense around critical infrastructure, from power grids to data centers.

Solar stocks are showing a clear technical shift, breaking above a well-defined downtrend after more than five years of sustained pressure.

UBS analyst Catherine Gordon is attributing the surge in solar stocks to falling yields and renewed policy momentum. A potential Section 232 tariff announcement in mid-to-late June is adding fuel to the rally, with First Solar leading the charge.

The UBS Solar basket (UBXXSOL) is now up 40% year-to-date.

Gordon provided more context on what's powering UBXXSOL higher:

Clean tech names are outperforming again on Tuesday, with solar leading higher alongside more speculative growth baskets as yields move lower. The backdrop has been broadly supportive, with the UBS Solar basket (UBXXSOL) now up 33% MTD.

First Solar is the standout mover, with the stock trading around $268 and continuing to rally in anticipation of a potential Section 232 tariff announcement in the near term. Earlier today, Windham hosted Toyo Solar on a call, where the company indicated that mid- to late-June could be the timing for Section 232, with measures potentially including a minimum import price alongside tariffs. There is also scope for domestic manufacturing investments to be used as an offset to tariff liability.

The prevailing dynamic has been "buy the rumor and buy the news," with momentum building into the expected policy update. Beyond S232, the next key catalyst for First Solar (FSLR) is likely to be order commentary on 2Q earnings calls.

Elsewhere, sentiment remains constructive across parts of the solar complex, with Nextracker (NXT) still viewed as a core holding. On the residential side, there have been questions around the sharp moves in SolarEdge (SEDG) and Enphase Energy (ENPH). Enphase's recent announcement around a solid-state transformer appears to have driven a short squeeze. However, this is not viewed as a differentiated development, with multiple electrical equipment players — including Schneider Electric and ABB — already pursuing similar technologies. Against that backdrop, the residential rally looks vulnerable to fading.

Last month, Goldman analyst Brian Lee told clients that "Utility-scale demand remains resilient amid pricing volatility, while residential stays challenged but with cleaner channel conditions." Professional subscribers can read the full GS note here at our new Marketdesk.ai portal.

Via The Cradle

The US is moving forward with a "fundamental restructuring" of its commitments to European security, transitioning from the traditional "burden sharing" strategy to that of "burden shifting," according to a Der Spiegel report published on May 26.

Under the new vision dubbed "NATO 3.0," Washington expects European allies to assume responsibility for the continent’s entire conventional defense.

In this new framework, the US will primarily provide a nuclear deterrent rather than the broad military support it has historically guaranteed.

This transition, which the report notes has blindsided European officials, involves drastic reductions in US military assets previously committed to the "NATO Force Model."

Alexander Velez-Green, an envoy to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, recently informed allies that Washington intends to cut its contribution of fighter jets by one-third and significantly reduce the number of strategic bombers, navy destroyers, and aerial refueling aircraft. 

The report notes that the US plans to stop providing submarines to the NATO pool entirely and expects Europeans to supply their own reconnaissance and armed drones.

The primary driver for this withdrawal is the US military’s pivot toward the Asia-Pacific, though officials also cited the need for flexibility to commit assets to military campaigns in West Asia and the Western Hemisphere. 

Washington reportedly seeks to prepare for a potential "two-front conflict," noting that US intelligence identifies 2027 as the "key date" when China may be capable of launching an offensive against Taiwan.

Given the possibility, the US no longer wishes to have its key assets “tied up” by fixed NATO commitments.

The report highlights an intensely fast-paced transition, with the US demanding that European allies present specific offers to fill these newly created military gaps by early June, aiming to formalize the new model at the July summit in Ankara.

While NATO leadership officially portrays the move as a way to reduce “over-dependence” on the US, European diplomats find the requirements far more severe than anticipated, with European leaders reportedly stunned by the scale and speed of the requirements. In secret meetings, some representatives even interpreted the US insistence on rapid compliance as an "indirect threat" toward those who fail to act quickly.

In line with the new “burden shifting,” US President Donald Trump announced on May 22 that he would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland – a move reportedly driven by his personal relationship with and endorsement of Polish President Karol Nawrocki. 

??Reuters reports NATO is forming 3 divisions with 60,000 troops and strengthening rapid deployment systems on its eastern flank. The plan focuses on reinforcing the Baltic region, including Estonia and Latvia, while raising readiness for rapid response to potential threats from…

— NOELREPORTS ???? ???? (@NOELreports) May 26, 2026

This decision has "stirred confusion" within the Pentagon, as it contradicts earlier orders to reduce the US military presence in Europe, such as the planned withdrawal of over 5,000 soldiers from Germany.

While Polish leadership welcomed the surge, US defense officials and diplomats have criticized the shift as impulsive, noting that it creates a sense of strategic inconsistency just as the US prepares to brief NATO allies on its future military footprint. 

For years, workplace culture has revolved around one thing: drinks after work. But Gen Z in the UK is starting to push back — and companies are beginning to notice, according to a new study from Diamond Interiors.

The study says that a growing number of younger employees say they would rather skip alcohol-focused work socials altogether. In a recent survey of Gen Z office workers, half said they preferred social events that don’t centre around drinking. It’s a small detail on the surface, but it reflects a much wider shift in how the next generation views work and workplace culture.

Don't tell the banking industry in London, that's for sure...

For previous generations, bonding with colleagues often meant pub trips, networking over cocktails, or team nights out that stretched late into the evening. Gen Z workers, however, are drinking less overall and are more likely to prioritise wellness, mental health, fitness, and financial stability. For many, alcohol simply isn’t as central to social life as it once was.

There’s also a stronger focus on inclusivity. Younger workers are more aware that not everyone wants — or can afford — to participate in drinking culture. A work social built around alcohol can feel limiting rather than welcoming.

That doesn’t mean Gen Z is rejecting workplace friendships. In fact, many still value strong team relationships. They just prefer different environments: coffee catchups, team lunches, fitness classes, volunteering events, or activities that don’t come with pressure to drink.

The change fits into a broader pattern across the workforce. Gen Z employees are questioning long-standing workplace norms, from strict office hours to rigid management styles. Many are less interested in “office culture” for the sake of appearances and more focused on balance, comfort, and genuine connection.

For employers, the message is clear. The old model of workplace bonding won’t disappear overnight, but it no longer works for everyone. Companies that rethink social culture — and offer more flexible, inclusive ways for employees to connect — may find it easier to attract and keep younger talent.

In other words, Gen Z isn’t ending workplace socializing in the UK. They’re just redefining what it looks like.

Submitted by Thomas Kolbe

Germany’s leading airline Lufthansa is closing its regional subsidiary CityLine, while low-cost carrier Ryanair is scaling back its Germany operations. Airport locations are under increasing pressure, with tens of thousands of jobs at stake. And how does politics respond to this veritable crisis? Naturally, with further levies.

In this case, it was the EU Commission that came forward with the proposal to extend the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to international flights departing from Europe. Another new charge, wonderful. And this in the midst of the most severe recession since the post-war period.

The regulation could take effect from 1 January 2027, should the relevant institutions and national legislators adopt it. The motivation to push this process forward efficiently and with minimal bureaucracy is clearly present, as at least €11 billion, and possibly up to €13 billion, in tax revenue is at stake. What is rarely discussed: a small portion of this additional revenue is expected to remain in Brussels – another covert step by the EU Commission under Ursula von der Leyen toward fiscal autonomy.

From the perspective of Brussels and Berlin policymakers, there is a positive side effect: alongside the fiscal dimension, they would also move closer to their ideological goal of gradually immobilising European citizens – a key component of the economic “death agenda” of the Green Deal.

As a European taxpayer, one has become accustomed to absorbing such measures. Few now expect anything other than new taxes and increasingly granular regulation from the labyrinthine EU apparatus. Brussels no longer makes any secret of its shift toward implementing degrowth ideology through an unprecedented tax drive. This occurs at a time when hundreds of thousands in Germany alone lose their jobs every year – while politicians beyond the so-called firewall are thriving on taxation policy.

So far, media camouflage has worked: politics floods the public sphere with a pseudo-debate about relief for citizens, only to simultaneously increase the tax burden elsewhere. The best example is the so-called fuel discount – a temporary reduction of a levy financed by permanent increases elsewhere, as it is often phrased. It is perverse: politics now treats taxpayers’ money as self-evident, as mere disposable mass for the political class. This smells of feudalism and has little to do with the idea of the sovereign citizen.

Consequently, travel itself is increasingly seen in these circles as objectionable, as an act of presumptuous freedom. The citizen’s scope for action must be restricted, their existence in an eco-dystopia effectively managed. It is therefore logical that travel is to become significantly more expensive. An extension of the CO2 regime to international flight tickets would increase prices by up to 15 percent in the first year. Combined with annual price increases due to the shrinking supply of CO2 certificates, foreign travel would soon become a luxury.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is one of the few well-known executives openly resisting European degrowth policy. His company has reduced its presence in Germany by around 40–50 percent in recent years and cut numerous routes – affecting airports such as Frankfurt-Hahn, Weeze, Berlin, and Hamburg. Too expensive, too heavily regulated, and increasingly hostile to business – O’Leary is saying what virtually every company leader, CEO, and SME operator not dependent on green subsidies would say daily.

German policy in particular extracts a significant share of domestic air travel costs, up to around 60 percent of ticket prices. Whether VAT, CO2 charges, or airport fees – operations are becoming increasingly unprofitable, and passengers are being pushed toward rail as an alternative. This policy has consequences: since the lockdown shock six years ago, domestic air traffic has not recovered and remains about 50 percent below 2019 levels. Numerous airport locations have come under pressure and thousands of jobs have been cut.

It is difficult to estimate precisely, but direct and indirect job losses in Germany’s aviation sector since 2019 likely amount to up to 50,000 positions. Lufthansa alone has cut more than 10,000, Airbus over 5,000 jobs in Germany.

The campaign by German policymakers against successful airlines like Ryanair, which are being systematically pushed abroad, fits into the broader pattern of the current governing coalition. A hostile, ideologically charged regulatory and tax policy is a continuation of the strategy of the “traffic light” coalition, intensified by the economic hammer of CO2 taxation, increasingly used to eliminate undesirable industrial sectors.

We should not fool ourselves: the relentless struggle of eco-socialists against the free economy – and thus above all against industry, which must be understood as the indispensable productive foundation of our society – is now becoming visible, as EU climate policy becomes increasingly isolated globally.

Ironically, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) itself has dismantled the apocalyptic narrative of a burning planet that was persistently constructed over decades. This renders Brussels’ and Berlin’s nihilistic climate policy absurd – a fact largely drowned out in the overheated media noise. In the “Gaulish village” of German world-savers, an intellectual and ideological ice age still prevails.

* * *

About the author:  Thomas Kolbe, a German graduate economist, has worked for over 25 years as a journalist and media producer for clients from various industries and business associations. As a publicist, he focuses on economic processes and observes geopolitical events from the perspective of the capital markets. His publications follow a philosophy that focuses on the individual and their right to self-determination.