While many in the West see the outcome of the war as determined by military action and shifts in battlefield positions, in Ukraine, long term integration with the West is the most important goal.
Economic instability has increased the price of gold as Brazilian President Lula da Silva attempts to crack down on illegal mining threating the Amazon.
"The longer the conflict goes on, the more likely neighbors start choosing sides, raising the risk of sustained fighting in the long term," Elizabeth Shackelford writes.