Via Russia Briefing, a look at growing economic connections between Russia and Venezuela: Russia’s trade and development strategy with Venezuela has been taking significant steps as the two countries coordinate and enhance their joint investment plans, with significant implications for the global energy market and other markets. We explain these developments as follows: Energy Venezuela […]
Read more »Via Project Syndicate, interesting commentary on potential economic similarities between Korea and China: China is perhaps the most notable recent case of simultaneous economic growth and increasing authoritarianism. But South Korea’s recent history shows how a vibrant economy can lead to the emergence of a large middle class – and, with it, demands for democratization. SEOUL […]
Read more »Via Quartz, a report on how the first US-Africa Leaders Summit in eight years could and should redefine how the US views Africa: The US has a shot at rekindling its relationship with Africa next week. From Dec. 13-15, president Joe Biden will host around 50 heads of states and senior leaders from across the African continent in […]
Read more »Via ODI, a report on China, the G7 and the new infrastructure geopolitics: Nearly a decade on, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has come to define China’s global development engagement. But as US and European relations with China deteriorate, the BRI – and infrastructure finance – have become focal points for geopolitical competition, spurring in […]
Read more »Via Oil & Gas Daily, an article on Iran’s growing influence over Iraq: Sanctions-hit Iran is consolidating its hold over neighbouring Iraq, an economic lifeline where pro-Tehran parties dominate politics, all to the chagrin of the United States, experts say. For years, Iraq has been caught in a delicate balancing act between its two main […]
Read more »Via Foreign Affairs, commentary suggesting that donors must work with the Taliban on economic recovery: One year ago, in the aftermath of the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul, Western policy was pushing Afghanistan to the brink of collapse. Humanitarian groups warned that U.S. sanctions and other restrictions were choking the Afghan economy and could […]
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