European factories expand, Asia faces slowdown
Factory activity in the Eurozone expanded for the first time since mid-2022 due to domestic demand offseting the impact of U.S. tariffs. However, mixed signals…
European Rift Deepens over Israel Sanctions Push
The two foreign ministers presented their argument in the letter directed at EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. They contended that the EU should impose…
Washington’s Oil Chessboard: Why Venezuela Matters in U.S. Geopolitics
American warships edging closer to Venezuelan waters earlier this year barely made global headlines, overshadowed by louder crises in Ukraine and the South China Sea.…
The Role of SEZs in CPEC Phase-II
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been a long-term strategic collaboration between China and Pakistan. It will now be in a second phase that marks a strong…
Close Race in September’s Nordic Elections Could Reshape Europe’s Energy Future
Background Norway heads to the polls on September 7-8, 2025, in a closely fought general election that could reshape both domestic economic policy, as well…
With Gulf Trade Deal Stalled, China Turns to Saudi Arabia for Closer Ties
BEIJING, Aug 27 – China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao, has urged closer ties in new energy and capital markets in talks with Saudi Arabia’s visiting…
Weaponization of Rare Earths: A New Theatre in US-China Competition
Resource competition has intensified between the two great powers, the US and China, due to trade and tariff wars. Recently, both the countries have made…
Iran, European powers meet in Geneva as threat of sanctions looms
Background / ContextThe 2015 Iran nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers curbed Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The agreement has…
The Future Is Asian- Book Review
“Asia dominated the Old World, while the West led the New World—and now we are coming to a truly global world.”– Parag Khanna, “The Future…
Indonesia’s Telco Crossroad: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global South
Indonesia’s telecommunications sector is at a historic crossroads. After a decade of consolidation, three groups — TelkomGroup (with Telkomsel), Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) and XL Axiata/Smartfren (XL Smart) —…
Oil Diplomacy as a Possible Geostrategic Tool in China’s U.S. Policy
The international oil market is grappling with a persistent oversupply, driving sustained downward pressure on prices. By 2025, global energy systems are operating with significant…
Japan-Africa: Indivisible Knot for Accelerating Trade and Development
Japan has one combined distinctive goal on the African agenda—investment, trade, and development. This was indicated explicitly in most all speeches and presentations at the…
Prabowo’s Welfare Push Raises Questions for Indonesia’s Infrastructure Sector
Tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration on Southeast Asian nations—effective August 7, 2025—are likely to have a significant impact on the economies of the region.…
The Chinese Dream or Strategic Deception? Navigating the Harmony–Hegemony Dilemma
In 2012, when President Xi Jinping first coined the term “Chinese Dream”, it was seen as a patriotic call for national revival, a promise was…
Chainsaw economics, organ sales and governing by dog: Argentina under Milei | TV Shows
Mehdi Hasan debates ex-FM Diana Mondino on Milei’s fitness to lead and his radical ‘chainsaw’ economics.In 2024, Argentina’s far-right President Javier Milei launched an economic…
Russia and South Africa: Strategic Friendship or Geopolitical Gamble?
The Valdai Discussion Club, in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), will hold the 3rd Russian-African conference titled “Realpolitik in a…
From Cooperation to Confrontation: BRICS and the Global South’s Bid for a New World Order
States no longer employ war as a tool to achieve their goals. Preferring to utilize more peaceful methods, states employ it to pursue highly consequential…
Two Futures for Global Trade: Open Arms vs. Closed Doors
This summer, the global economic stage is hosting two wildly contrasting blockbusters in trade policy, each promising a different future for international commerce. On one…
Crisis as Opportunity: China and Iran’s High-Stakes Gamble
If we are going to make an overview of what is going on now through the lens of the so-called dangerous opportunity, we can list…
Verida AFI Reviews: Restoring Justice Is Possible
The world of online investing is full of opportunities—but also hidden pitfalls. Many newcomers seeking quick gains end up falling victim to unscrupulous brokers. Losing…