Week of May 4, 2026

“Elite Club” or Emergency Call: The UAE Asks for Dollars, and Trump Gets His Marshall Plan

«Элитный клуб» или скорая помощь: ОАЭ просят доллар, а Трамп получает свой план Маршалла

There’s a certain elegance to the phrasing. “Joining an elite club.” “A matter of status, not financial aid.” That’s how UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri (correction: the article refers to the Minister of Economy? Actually, the original says "Minister of Trade" – Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi) described talks with Washington over a dollar swap line.

Middle East: A War on Every Market at Once

Ближний Восток: война на всех рынках сразу, vigiljournal.com

Two news items from a single day — and the whole geopolitical picture is laid bare. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lifted restrictions on the use of their bases by U.S. military forces. Secretary of State Rubio approved arms sales to five Gulf states worth $25.8 billion — three times the original sum.

Victory Day: a date that cannot be erased.

День Победы

This year marks the 81st anniversary of Victory Day,  the date on which the Soviet Union achieved the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. This date is of the utmost importance in Russia and the former Soviet republics, so parades are held in memory of the sacrifice of the Red Army.