{
  "id": 2272903,
  "title": "Why the ability to keep going has become the new measure of power",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/why-the-ability-to-keep-going-has-become-the-new-measure-of-power",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-21T01:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/why-the-ability-to-keep-going-has-become-the-new-measure-of-power-1.500645826"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In today's world, economic strength is measured not just by growth, wealth or productivity. The \"Continuity Economy\" framework reveals that the true advantage lies in countries' ability to maintain functioning economies under pressure. This shift has emerged through a series of crises, exposing vulnerabilities even in advanced economies. Supply chain disruptions, technology exports as geopolitical tools, and cyberattacks have demonstrated the far-reaching consequences of digital disruptions. Governments are now focusing on economic resilience rather than just growth. The \"Continuity Economy\" emphasizes the importance of economic strength being measured by an economy's ability to continue functioning under pressure, recover quickly from disruptions, and maintain strategic flexibility when external conditions change. This framework changes the way governments and businesses prioritize policies. Economic strength is no longer just about the size of an economy, but its ability to maintain operations during pressure, recover quickly, and remain adaptable to changing external conditions. For the UAE, this transformation is evident in various initiatives. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is a long-term investment in energy security and power generation diversification. Expanding ports and logistics infrastructure ensures trade continuity during regional or global disruptions. Investments in AI, digital infrastructure, and data centers show that future competitiveness depends on decision-making capacity as much as technological capability. The UAE's economic transformation shows that diversification reduces dependence on a single growth source, making the economy more resilient to shocks. Continuity is an ongoing process, requiring continuous assessment and adaptation to new challenges. Human capital development is crucial, as global competition is no longer limited to attracting investment, but reshapes around attracting and retaining exceptional talent. Supply chain resilience is another key priority, as disruptions affect more than just trade. Strengthening supply chains through diversified sourcing, strategic partnerships, and developed domestic capabilities in critical industries is essential for economic security. The global race for critical minerals is reshaping world politics, and food security is now considered a strategic component of national resilience. In conclusion, the traditional definition of power is changing. Wealth alone is no longer sufficient to measure a nation's power. The real advantage lies in the ability to maintain economic continuity under pressure, recover quickly from disruptions, and remain strategically flexible in response to changing external conditions.",
  "summary": "Economic strength is no longer defined solely by growth, wealth or productivity. In an era shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and technological competition, the real advantage belongs to countries that can keep their economies functioning under pressure. This is what I describe as the ‘Continuity Economy’, a framework for understanding how the foundations of national…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}