With military conflicts escalating in the Middle East, United Microelectronics (UMC) honorary vice chairman John Hsuan warned that global supply chains will be disrupted by war. He noted that exclusive suppliers face a severe impact, while alternatives exist if supplies are not unique

On June 6, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders—"Unleashing American Drone Dominance" and "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty"—mandating that the US drone industry exclude technology, parts, and materials from controlled countries (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea). The orders encourage adopting allied technologies to build an autonomous, resilient domestic ecosystem supporting the low-altitude economy and critical defense needs

In late February 2026, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran, deepening an already entrenched Middle East stalemate. During Operation Epic Fury, the US military confirmed it had deployed low-cost suicide drones for the first time—repurposing and upgrading technology rooted in Iran's own designs

Rising tensions between the US and Iran have rattled global energy markets, exposing new vulnerabilities in Middle East supply chains. After drone attacks forced QatarEnergy to suspend liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, Taiwan's energy authorities moved swiftly to safeguard domestic supply, activating contingency plans to cushion against potential disruptions

As the US–Iran war threatens to drive up global energy prices, concerns have been growing regarding Taiwan's energy supply, which is highly reliant on imported liquified natural gas (LNG) for generating electricity. Taking into account shipping times from the Middle East, industry experts expect that real impacts on Taiwan's oil and gas imports from the current conflict will begin after March 15. Oil and gas inventories are secure for now, as fuel already loaded and en route will ensure stable short-term supply

Recent joint airstrikes by the US and Israel against Iran, followed by Iran's retaliatory attacks on nearby US military bases in Bahrain and Qatar, disrupted local flight schedules and communications, bringing "communication resilience" back into international focus and elevating the 2026 UK Space‑Comm Expo as a barometer for satellite backup technologies

After the US and Israel launched joint air strikes on Iran, Middle East tensions escalated sharply. South Korea activated an emergency response system, with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok chairing daily reviews of energy, financial, and supply chain conditions. The Ministry of Economy and Finance formed three cross-ministerial task forces to monitor risks around the Strait of Hormuz and track global oil price and exchange rate volatility amid rising crude prices

US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran triggered retaliatory missile attacks on US bases in Bahrain and Qatar, with spillover disruptions hitting cloud infrastructure, logistics hubs, and commercial operations across the Middle East

OpenAI has underscored the increasing complexity and unpredictability of the AI rivalry between the US and China, highlighting China's rapid progress through open-source, low-cost AI models and its export of "sovereign AI" systems to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. These shifts indicate new geopolitical dimensions in the global AI landscape

Global smartphone shipments increased by 2% year-over-year in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of growth, according to Counterpoint Research. The growth was driven by strong adoption of AI smartphones and rising demand for high-end and 5G devices in emerging markets

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are set to join a US-led initiative to secure artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains, expanding a framework Washington views as a cornerstone of its economic security strategy