Israel Threatens Hamas Over Gaza Kite Launches | Horizons Middle East & Africa 8/25/2026

Israel threatens tougher action over Gaza kite and balloon launches, adopting a “zero tolerance” policy as Hamas denies planning a new offensive, putting the ceasefire under renewed pressure. The US escalates economic pressure on Iran, threatening sanctions against its trade partners. Washington is targeting Iran’s digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping sectors, while Bessent says a wave of sanctions is coming and a major financial institution could be targeted by the end of the week. Trump is also urging world leaders to cut ties with Iran, raising the risk of a confrontation with China. The US is reportedly considering a 7.5% tariff on China ahead of a Trump-Xi meeting in Washington on September 24. Canada prepares new counter-tariffs as Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks a new trade deal, while UK Prime Minister hopeful Andy Burnham plans to lobby Trump on Ukraine. Trump’s new H-1B visa scheme could require companies to pay around $103,000 per sponsored candidate, potentially discouraging foreign students from studying in the US. US stocks fall as technology shares lead declines. Investors await Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech, while Bessent backs away from further bond measures and says he has not bought a single bond. Citadel calls Treasury buybacks “financial repression,” and traders assess whether the so-called Nvidia-Warsh trade will drive another market rotation. In technology and finance, Oura reportedly seeks up to $3 billion in a US IPO, while the SEC is said to be considering subpoenas for Wall Street banks over Situational Awareness. Saudi Arabia announces a $7 billion Paris theme-park deal with Macron, while Saudi capital markets undergo a leadership shakeup that could pave the way for deregulation and changes to foreign ownership limits. Turkey’s central bank shifts funding back toward its 37% policy rate as inflation remains a concern. Excess liquidity means banks may not immediately borrow at that rate, while markets increasingly expect rates to fall toward 36% or 35% later this year. Turkey cuts its year-end inflation forecast to 28% as the central bank bets the impact of the Iran war has passed. In Africa, machete attacks disrupt the Ebola response in Congo. More than 5,500 people have been infected and 2,642 have died since the outbreak was declared, with 12 volunteers injured in attacks over the past three months. Security concerns are also making safe burials increasingly difficult. MTN shares briefly surge after its buyback plan, while Saudi Arabia’s capital-markets regulator undergoes a leadership change that could bring renewed efforts to open the market to foreign investors. Guests includes Julia Roknifard, Taylor’s University Malaysia Senior Lecturer, Rashmi Garg, Al Dhabi Capital Senior Portfolio Manager and Selva Demiralp, KOC University Economics Professor.

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