Geopolitics
Ongoing coverage on Geopolitics.
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Call of Duty Modern Warfare Cited to South Korean President
The campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, which depicts a fictional invasion of South Korea by North Korea, has become a point of political discussion in South Korea. Politician Han Dong-hoon recommended President Lee Jae Myung play the game to understand the consequences of inadequate military preparedness and to highlight national security concerns.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various essays and critical pieces, touching on interactive fiction tools like Twine, the complexities of identity and geopolitics, film analysis of "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East," the nature of horror in media, transgender rights, and the societal and environmental impacts of generative AI.
FIFA Postpones FIFAe Finals Over Security Concerns
FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals, originally scheduled for October 2026, due to recent regional security concerns. The exact new dates and venue have not yet been announced. This postponement is seen as a responsible choice for safety but a major disruption for the prepared teams.
Ukraine says Starlink is limiting its internet service and disrupting military operations
Ukraine's military is experiencing disruptions to its internet service due to speed limitations imposed by SpaceX's Starlink, according to Ukrainian leadership. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's adviser stated that these restrictions, implemented without warning, are impacting military operations amidst ongoing attacks from Russia. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk commented that Zelenskyy had "gone too far."
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 gets campaign trailer
Activision and Infinity Ward have released a campaign trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, detailing a story focused on John Price's shadow operations and conflicts with former allies and foes. The narrative includes an invasion of South Korea and a global threat from a weapon in the hands of the villainous Archer. The game is set to release on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 23, 2026.
Why does this prominent Washington state politician think video games can be 'soft power?'
Washington state Secretary of State Steve Hobbs believes video games can serve as a tool for geopolitical 'soft power,' promoting culture and commerce rather than conflict. He contrasts this with 'hard power' and argues that creative industries are vital to a nation's global standing, citing examples like CD Projekt Red's The Witcher series. The discussion also touches on criticisms of cultural imperialism and the prioritization of hard power by some administrations.
Korea 2032 - Free Online Browser Game
Korea 2032 is a free online browser game where players assume the role of North Korea in a hypothetical 2032 conflict against South Korea. The game simulates a drone-powered invasion, requiring players to manage ballistic missiles, drones, and special forces to overcome South Korea's superior military and air defenses.
Metro 2039 Developers on How Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Changed Their Plans
Ukrainian developer 4A Games discussed how Russia's 2022 invasion of their country has impacted the development of their upcoming first-person shooter, Metro 2039. The team has faced significant real-life challenges alongside their work on the post-apocalyptic franchise.
Bitcoin Refuses to Budge Below $65,000 as Middle East Conflict Widens
Bitcoin remained stable around $64,700 despite deteriorating macro conditions and escalating Middle East conflict. While oil prices climbed due to attacks on Saudi Arabia, bitcoin showed little movement, unlike gold which saw a 1.5% increase. The article suggests focusing on Treasury yields and oil prices as key indicators for future bitcoin movement, rather than the bitcoin chart itself.
'I Thought This Would Be Drama Free, How Wrong I Was' — Games Workshop Secured a £7.8 Million Refund on Donald Trump's Tariffs, but Iran War Threatens Supply Chain
Games Workshop, the maker of Warhammer, has successfully obtained a £7.8 million refund on tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. However, the company's supply chain is facing new threats due to geopolitical events, including the Iran War.
AI Yi-Yi!
The article discusses the escalating AI race between China and the US, mentioning OpenAI's models and a user's reluctance to trust AI with sensitive information like passwords. It also touches on broader security concerns, including car alarms.
Morning Safety Dance
A government-funded study warns that the Dutch semiconductor sector faces a high risk of Chinese interference. This warning comes alongside a CISA vulnerability summary for the week of July 13, 2026, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity concerns.
OpenAI says it busted a shadowy Chinese operation that used ChatGPT to whip up data centre hate (and that achieved…
OpenAI has reported that China-based actors used its ChatGPT tools to generate social media content for covert influence operations targeting US debates on AI, data centers, and tariffs. The operations, which aimed to sow distrust in US institutions and technology, were assessed by OpenAI as having minimal impact and did not achieve a breakout on any platform. Despite the low impact, OpenAI believes these operations highlight the potential for foreign influence in legitimate public discussions.
Gaming Hardware Prices Are Likely Going to Go Even Higher, Say Analysts
Industry analysts predict that gaming hardware prices will continue to rise due to factors like RAM costs, geopolitical situations, and currency fluctuations. While some regions like Asia and MENA are showing resilience, Western markets are particularly affected by these price hikes. Experts suggest that a higher pricing floor for gaming hardware is likely, potentially shifting the industry towards subscription and cloud-based models.
Evening Metaverse
Reports indicate Russian submarines are surveying subsea cables near Britain, prompting the UK to deploy the Royal Navy. Separately, a technical issue with Windows 11 has been identified as secretly throttling Wi-Fi performance, with a fix available.
"We make an entertainment product" - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 leads on their sure to be controversial North vs South Korea campaign
Infinity Ward discussed the narrative approach for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's campaign, which is set in South Korea and features a North Korean missile launch scenario. Developers emphasized their commitment to storytelling, authenticity, and respectful cultural representation, aiming to create a grounded and gritty experience. The game is set to release on October 23rd, 2026, for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
I solved the Strait of Hormuz crisis with videogames, simply by creating an even bigger Strait of Hormuz crisis
The author attempts to resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis by simulating it within the grand strategy game Europa Universalis 5. Initial attempts using historical approximations of Iran and the USA proved difficult due to game mechanics and geographical distance. The author resorts to in-game manipulation and naval conflicts to try and find a solution, highlighting the complexities of both real-world geopolitics and game simulation.
Nintendo president: Switch 2 price increases due to war on Iran and AI-driven memory crisis
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that the price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 is due to sustained rises in component costs, driven by AI data centers and oil prices linked to the war on Iran. These factors necessitate maintaining a healthy earnings structure for the company's hardware business. Furukawa also highlighted the importance of strong software releases, like Pokémon Pokopia, in driving hardware sales and encouraging player transitions.
Here's how the Iran war is hitting key supplies for components, according to supply chain experts
The conflict in Iran is significantly impacting global supply chains, particularly for materials essential to semiconductor and component manufacturing. Key substances like helium, sulphuric acid, PPE resin, aluminium, and solvents for photoresists are facing shortages due to disrupted trade routes and damaged production facilities. Experts warn of sustained price increases and potential multi-year disruptions, with AI infrastructure likely prioritized over consumer electronics.
'In China we have now dropped to zero': CEO Jensen Huang bemoans Nvidia's market share and calls for US…
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed concern over the company's zero market share in China's AI hardware sector, calling it a strategic mistake. He advocates for dynamic policies that allow for continued sales to China, arguing that the current approach may have backfired and that the US should prioritize exporting technology to maintain its lead in the AI revolution.
