Ron Bousso

The rise of cheap drones is forcing governments into a costly rethink of national defence

LONDON - Cheap, ⁠mass-produced drones have transformed modern warfare, exposing ​critical energy infrastructure as an Achilles' heel for modern economies.

Global benchmark Brent crude futures have risen over 10% to above $80 a barrel since the latest round of tit-for-tat attacks erupted last Tuesday

IRAN and the United States have both announced rival blockades of the Strait of Hormuz once again, crippling an already fragile ceasefire deal.

Lessons from the battlefields of Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East have shown how unmanned aircraft can evade traditional air defenses, turning oil refineries, power stations, export terminals and pipelines into prime targets.

China caught the oil industry by surprise during the Iran war, pulling powerful levers to shield itself from the biggest energy shock in decades. In the process, it established itself as a new force in global energy markets – an independent, opaque, massive power.

China shielded itself from the Iran war's energy shock by cutting crude imports and restricting fuel exports. This move demonstrated its capacity to manage global energy flows independently. The nation's substantial oil stockpiles remain largely untapped, offering future strategic options. China's actions transformed it from a price taker to a price maker in oil markets. This shift indicates a new era of energy interdependence and potential global power dynamics.

CHEAP, mass-produced drones have transformed modern warfare, exposing critical energy infrastructure as an Achilles' heel for modern economies.