Global Risk Insights's Contributions

The 46th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland took place last week and brought a gaggle of high-powered figures together to discuss current global challenges. Among its 2,500 guests were VIPs from diverse fields...

From pollution tracking apps, ‘escape the smog’ travel deals, and even premium bottled air, discover the companies behind China’s anti-pollution business boom. Much has been written about China’s pollution crisis. This state of affairs has led to myriad problems for China, as the government seeks...

North Korea’s latest nuclear test not only riles the West, but has severly damaged ties with Beijing: China’s response will be telling for future ties. North Korea’s latest announcement concerning the alleged detonation of a hydrogen bomb as thrown another wrench into the Six Party Talk...

Zimbabwe’s adoption of the yuan as legal tender demonstrates its close ties with China, and Beijing’s efforts to globalize its currency. Long a pariah state under the rule of aging despot Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has witnessed an economic uptick in recent years. This reversal of fortunes has been...

After an eventful 2015, where we witnessed the first U.S rate hike in 9 years, crude oil dropping to 6 year lows, a dramatic selloff in Chinese equity markets and an unexpected abandonment of the Swiss Franc-Euro currency cap, we head into 2016 with global markets on tenterhooks.

Torn between conflicts and insurgency, the Middle East has witnessed a rise of non-state-actors at the expense of states weakened by a struggling global economy and social changes that exceed their capacity to handle them. After reviewing last year’s events, it would be worth asking two main...

In 2015, the EU was faced with a set of unprecedented crises that shook it to its core. This situation offers an opportunity for public and private actors to implement much-needed reforms. 2015 could be remembered as the European Union (EU)’s annus horribilis. A string of crises and tragedies...

Switzerland wants to be world’s data bank. To this end, the Swiss are repurposing their nuclear proof mountain forts into ultra-secure data centers. Switzerland has long prospered from its unique geo-political situation. Touting its neutrality, stability, and fundamental respect for privacy, Switzerland...

For several months now, global markets and policymakers have waited for the FOMC’s periodic meetings nervously. The central bank of the world’s largest economy is preparing to raise interest rates from historical lows. What will be the effects of higher interest rates on emerging economies?

November 25th 2015 marks a landmark day for space exploration and commerce, as President Obama gives American citizens the right to mine asteroids for rare earth metals and minerals. There are few events in history that can be credited with the idea of giving birth to a new era.

Following the recent move by Goldman Sachs in closing its BRICS fund, the future of this economic A-team seems uncertain. What does the future hold for the BRICS? And can we still expect a credible alternative to the Western-created IMF and World Bank to emerge?

The Schengen agreement is one of four cornerstones of the European Union’s ‘Single Market’ system, but with the unprecedented migrant crisis flooding the region and fractures amongst member nations already spreading, will the pressure fragment one of the world’s most valuable markets?

Rather than focusing on impending economic issues, the Paris attacks overshadowed the G20 Summit this week as leaders discussed ways to counter the threat of domestic terrorism inspired by the Islamic State.

What is the current level of China’s GDP growth? 7% (official), 5.5% (Capital Economics), or 4% (Citi)? In fact, nobody knows. Official data is not trusted, but credible alternatives appear hard to build. Nevertheless, GDP forecasts for the Chinese economy constantly...

The gradual abandonment of the one-child policy allows China to tackle demographic, corruption, security, and economic challenges in one deft swoop; defusing discontent and saving face for Beijing.

By reevaluating the current bond purchase program and refusing to rule out a rate cut, the European Central Bank opened a new set of opportunities for investors. The action also recognizes a slowing Eurozone economic recovery...

The status of Russian oil and gas is a factor near the core of many of the world’s most wide-reaching risks and opportunities. Here are three trends set to shape the complicated Russian relationship with...

While Obama has seemingly stood by his risk-averse approach to Middle East policy, the supply of TOW missiles to certain rebel factions has continued in response to Russia’s recent actions.

The world’s finance ministers and central bankers met in Lima, Peru in October for the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group. Here are the takeaways. This year’s annual gathering of the International...

Russian airstrikes in Syria and military aid efforts in Iraq have placed Kurdish groups in both countries in an awkward position. As Russia and the U.S. pursue alternate strategies in Syria and Iraq, Kurdish groups are caught in...