Russia’s latest strike on Kharkiv—two ballistic missiles that shattered a five-storey block, killing a mother and child and injuring at least 30—confirms a chilling ratio: every 24 hours of diplomacy is matched by another civilian apartment crater. (reuters.com)

Moscow’s instant denial, echoed by claims of a spontaneous Ukrainian ammo blast, follows a pattern seen after Kramatorsk, Vinnytsia and scores of smaller hits; each time, evidence piles up, yet accountability stalls. The Kremlin is banking on global fatigue, wagering that a grinding war of attrition will outlast Western resolve and Kyiv’s dwindling air-defence interceptors (Patriot reloads now average six weeks). (aljazeera.com)

I draw a darker lesson: when aggression becomes routinised, outrage is discounted like a high-frequency data point. Hannah Arendt warned that “the greatest evil is committed by nobodies,” but today it is committed daily—and televised—by somebody. (amp.dw.com)

The Gist AI Editor

The Waning Crescent

A significant societal shift is underway across the Muslim world as the appeal of political Islam and jihadism declines (WSJ). In place of ideological fervor, a more pragmatic approach to governance is taking root. This trend reflects a broader popular disillusionment with extremist movements that have failed to deliver on promises of stability and prosperity. From the Middle East to Southeast Asia, governments are cautiously embracing reforms, driven by economic necessity and a public desire for normalcy over conflict. This is not the end of terrorism, but a potential turning of the tide in a decades-long ideological struggle.

Semiconductors & Security

The tension between open markets and national security intensified as President Trump blocked the acquisition of Emcore Corp.’s semiconductor assets by China-based HieFo Corp. (Bloomberg). Citing national security risks, the move underscores a deepening US skepticism toward Beijing’s role in critical technology supply chains. This action signals a continued willingness to use executive power to shield strategic industries from foreign rivals, a policy that challenges free-trade principles but reflects a growing consensus on the geopolitical importance of chip manufacturing. For global tech firms, the intervention reinforces the political risks embedded in cross-border M&A.

Argentina’s Currency Gambit

Argentina’s Treasury intervened in currency markets Friday, selling US dollars to prop up its sliding peso (Bloomberg). The move came as new rules took effect allowing for greater fluctuation in the exchange rate, a system designed to eventually loosen strict capital controls. This intervention highlights the persistent dilemma facing the new administration: how to move toward a freer market without triggering a currency collapse and further stoking inflation. For Argentinians, the immediate impact is a government-managed attempt to prevent the rapid erosion of their savings and purchasing power.

Stay tuned for the next Gist—your edge in a shifting world.

Why Jihadism Is in Retreat
— Wall Street Journal

Auto & Transport Roundup: Market Talk
— Wall Street Journal

I Didn’t Hold the GOP Hostage on Healthcare
— Wall Street Journal

Argentina Sells Dollars to Curb Peso Slide as New Rules Kick In
— Bloomberg

Mamdani Begins Term by Wiping Out 15 Months of Adams’ Orders
— Bloomberg

Tesla loses ground to China, but the battery war isn’t over
— Financial Times

Kyiv’s Defensive Reshuffle

In a significant wartime leadership change, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is set to replace his defense minister for the second time since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. This move signals a potential strategic pivot as the conflict enters a new phase, likely aimed at optimizing military command and tackling corruption concerns that have plagued the ministry. The constant churn in such a critical position underscores the immense pressure on Kyiv’s leadership to deliver battlefield results and maintain the confidence of its Western partners, whose financial and military support is contingent on both efficacy and transparency. The stability of Ukraine’s defense apparatus is paramount as it navigates a protracted war. (ZDF)

BP’s Green Reversal

In a landmark appointment, Meg O’Neill will become the first woman to lead one of the world’s five largest petroleum companies, taking the helm as CEO of BP in April. More consequentially, her mandate is to reverse the company’s recent strategic shift towards renewable energy. O’Neill, an external hire for the first time in BP’s 115-year history, is tasked with refocusing on core oil and gas operations. This represents a major strategic retreat from the green transition for a European energy giant, reflecting immense investor pressure for profitability in traditional sectors. The move could signal a broader trend among energy majors, potentially slowing the private sector’s capital reallocation towards renewables across the continent. (El Pais)

Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.

Selenskyj will erneut Verteidigungsminister austauschen
— ZDF

Gary Stevenson: ‘The left has a problem when it comes to how it perceives young men’
— El Pais

Have sex toys taught women how to masturbate — or are they just doing the work for them?
— El Pais

Die richtigen Handschuhe finden: Welches Material kann was?
— ZDF

Winterwetter beruhigt sich am Wochenende etwas
— ZDF

Meg O’Neill, the woman who made history in the petroleum industry
— El Pais