The Russian freight figures are especially instructive. Both Black Sea and Baltic routes to India have experienced substantial increases, indicating that global tanker scarcity is affecting routes beyond the immediate area of combat.

Reuters reported that U.S. and Myanmar representatives held a second round of discreet talks, this time in Tokyo, after a September meeting in Naypyitaw. Immediate subjects were reported to include release of an American businessman and closure of scam centers targeting Americans. Broader engagement could eventually include Myanmar’s rare-earth deposits.

Albania has a national asset worth investigating. Its value will be established by the quality of that investigation—and by whether the country can turn verified resources into a business that pays workers, investors and the public.