This week we look at two major issues – firstly, the impact upon Russia as a result of the Iran conflict, including the value of the ruble, the fiscal impact on the Russian economy due to increased prices for oil, and supply chain stresses. Secondly, a lot has been happening with Russia and the global NPP sector, with agreements signed this week with Brazil, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, and Rosatom opening its doors to friendly countries wishing to participate in next-generation nuclear technologies. The Europeans are excluded from this. We discuss the reasons, the implications, and Europe’s current NPP power generation capabilities in our Rosatom piece. Elsewhere, the opening of a SPIMEX office in Beijing has substantial commodities trade development implications, while the Russian agriculture sector makes further inroads into China, India, the Philippines, South Korea, and Uzbekistan. Soft power capabilities continue to be developed in emerging markets in Cuba and Africa. ​