Economist Bilal Shaib has described the current global economic climate as one increasingly defined by uncertainty, suggesting that 2026 could be widely regarded as the ‘Year of Gold.’ He attributes the surge in gold prices to persistent geopolitical and military tensions that have escalated since the early 20th century, with recent conflicts amplifying investor anxiety. n nAppearing on ‘Extra News,’ Shaib highlighted how unfulfilled political and economic promises by former U.S. President Donald Trump failed to resolve major global flashpoints, including the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle Eastern conflicts. Instead, new crises emerged, such as those in Venezuela and escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China—two nations responsible for nearly half of global industrial output. n nHe noted that Russia and Ukraine together account for 36% of global grain trade, disruptions in which have contributed to rising inflation and weakened investor confidence. As a result, many market participants are shifting away from volatile paper assets like bonds and equities, turning instead to gold as a stable store of value. n nShaib emphasized that this trend reflects a broader reluctance to invest in productive sectors such as infrastructure and industrial expansion. He also suggested that the U.S. Federal Reserve may hold interest rates steady unless inflation indicators show further increases. n— news from \”الوطن\”