What We’re Watching - 18 may 2026

This week on Geopolity’s What We’re Watching, our analysts break down three geopolitical stories that could shape the months ahead. 🇨🇳 Trump’s China Visit Donald Trump’s first trip to Beijing in years was rich in ceremony but short on substance. Despite a powerful delegation of American CEOs, Washington returned with few concrete wins. Trade tensions remain unresolved, rare earth access is still uncertain, AI coordination remains unclear, and the wider geopolitical question remains: is the US negotiating from strength—or weakness? 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Floats an Iran Non-Aggression Pact In a remarkable diplomatic shift, Saudi Arabia is reportedly exploring a regional non-aggression framework with Iran once the current conflict ends. Inspired by Europe’s Cold War-era Helsinki model, this may signal a profound change in Gulf security thinking—one where regional powers increasingly prepare for a future with less American protection. 🇨🇺 Cuba Nears Collapse With blackouts stretching beyond 20 hours, collapsing energy supplies, and rising fears of humanitarian breakdown, Cuba may be approaching a historic breaking point. But if regime collapse is the objective, what comes next? Iraq and Afghanistan offer sobering lessons about what happens when governments fall faster than replacement systems can be built. Chapters 0:00 – Intro 0:10 – Trump Leaves China with Very Little in his Bag 1:27 – Saudi Floats Iran Non-Aggression pact 2:36 – Cuba Nears Collapse #Geopolitics #China #Trump #SaudiArabia #Iran #Cuba #USChina #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #Geopolity If you like this podcast and want to learn more about the issues raised, please check out website http://www.thegeopolity.com