Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Best’s Commentary: Latest Middle East Turmoil Generates Additional, Familiar Exposures for Insurers; Regional Economy May Feel the Broader Brunt

While the most recent period of military action in the Middle East presents a range of potential geopolitical risk exposure for the insurance industry, the direct impacts will largely be limited by war exclusions and narrowly defined policy triggers, according to a new AM Best report.

The Best’s Commentary, titled “Latest Middle East Turmoil Generates Additional, Familiar Exposures for Insurers; Regional Economy May Feel the Broader Brunt,” notes that thus far, there has been no ratings impact for AM Best-rated insurers operating in the region. If tensions escalate, there is a potential impact for insurers who underwrite political risk, trade credit and war risk coverages in the Middle East region.

“Disputes over exclusions may arise from ambiguous policy language, particularly in relation to business interruption claims, where coverage and causality may be contested,” said Mahesh Mistry, senior director, AM Best. “For example, port closures, logistical delays, and production halts could potentially trigger business interruption claims.”

AM Best also notes in the report that a significant impact is evident in the aviation and marine insurance specialty markets. Premiums for ships operating in the Persian Gulf region, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, have risen sharply to reflect the elevated risk. Aviation insurers have similarly raised rates for carriers flying near the conflict zones.

Many countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region are heavily reliant upon the hydrocarbon sector to drive economic growth, according to the report. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. AM Best maintained its stable outlook on the GCC in April, but notes that this region could be adversely impacted by second-order effects. “If events were to escalate and impact energy prices, it is likely to affect opportunities for insurers in the region,” said Ann Modica, director, AM Best. “Any wider escalation into the GCC region could affect energy prices, and may have repercussions for inflation globally.”

To access the full copy of the Best’s Commentary on the Middle East, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=355185.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.