By Global Risk Insights – On April 26 at the Dalian Shipyard in China’s northern province of Liaoning, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier. Adhering to Naval tradition, the hull of the new ‘Type 001A’ was transferred...
In early May, Puerto Rico filed for bankruptcy in federal court to stave off lawsuits, under a law Congress passed last year, to help the island cut its debt and escape financial disaster. The saga now heads to federal court, where the struggle...
On May 7, France will vote to elect its president in a runoff between far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and the centrist Emmanuel Macron. Macron is predicted to win but will face political challenges to govern after the elections.
Increased international interest in the Indian Ocean comes at a convenient time for Sri Lanka, as the country continues to recoup after the end of its decades-long civil war which ended in 2009. The island nation is being courted (and courting in turn) by...
The MENA region saw over 2 GW of new solar capacity tendered in 2016, and 2017 looks to easily surpass this level as hundreds of billions of dollars begin to flow into green energy in the Arab world.
Donald Trump ran for president promising to return American manufacturing and jobs to Rust Belt states workers. He promised that jobs would come roaring back and that it was the fault of China, bad politicians, and crooked owners...
The new administration’s South China Sea policy is taking shape — and could send ripples through international markets. The sea is dotted with reefs and shoals claimed by neighboring states but occupied by China. Beijing uses these...
Locked in a punishing sanctions regime, North Korea is throwing caution to the wind and has mounted a series of cyber attacks by taking advantage of outdated financial technology, mainly through the SWIFT network. Such cyber-attacks are...
With four front-runners facing difficult sets of issues, the electoral campaign is likely to be tumultuous with continued weakening French institutions. On Sunday, January 29th the French Socialist Party (PS)
The People’s Bank of China has historically exercised great control over domestic Renminbi valuation, but the traditional tools used for currency management are beginning to come under stress. This monetary strain will be exacerbated...
Obama’s “permanent” bans on offshore oil and gas drilling in Alaska are actually “indefinite” and could end as soon as January 20. The incoming Trump administration has the authority to revoke environmental protections of Alaska’s...
When Donald Trump is inaugurated as President on January 20th, 2017, he faces a myriad of problems. Among the financial and economic dilemmas is the national debt. The nation’s debt has grown at a pace that economists...
The past year has seen the return of Russia to a prime position on the global stage. Gone are the days when Putin was content with maintaining Russia’s dominion over its' near abroad in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Baltics.
The European Union (EU) has eyed the South Caucasus for the past two decades, and after the successful union expansion to parts of Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus could be next. The European Union’s relationship with...
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has imposed production limits that will bring many states economic gains — but are they likely to last? As the core international group of oil exporters, OPEC announced...
After shock results in Britain and America, attention is turning to Italy’s constitutional referendum, where Renzi has said he will resign if he loses the vote. Many fear that the prevailing anti-establishment mood will defeat the government.
Since the first official summit held in 2009, the BRICS have articulated a shared a common vision for a more democratic and multipolar world order. The group has challenged international institutions to become more representative and reflect the growing voices of developing...
Obama’s pivot should have represented a shift in US foreign policy. However, with the end of his presidency fast approaching and the mitigated results of the policy, the future of the pivot has been thrown into question.
Although Bali has traditionally dominated tourism in Indonesia, the government’s ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ campaign has shown the country in a new light. But it also reveals the plethora of still-untapped economic opportunity...
Since the beginning of 2015, the socio-political situation in France has become strained following a string of terrorist attacks as well as a wave of anti-government protests. Political violence and unrest coupled with stagnating macroeconomic...
