Economics
Democracy and the Next Generation: An Interview with Eric Schultz, Senior Advisor to President Obama
GRI’s Basim Al-Ahmadi sat down with Eric Schultz, President Obama’s current Senior Advisor, to discuss his previous role in the White House, advice for aspiring public servants, Obama’s post-presidential vision and other important topics.
A Life in Politics and Advice for Aspiring Leaders: An Interview with Sir Vince Cable
GRI’s Basim Al-Ahmadi sat down with the Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable to reflect on a distinguished career in public service, the state of British politics and advice he could provide the next generation of leaders.
South Africa: Political Unrest in a Vulnerable Economy
In July of 2021 political unrest peaked in several South African provinces in response to prolonged economic instability and the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. The protests were amongst the worst political violence South Africa has witnessed since the end of the Apartheid. The nation’s economy was particularly vulnerable to civil unrest, and served to deepen the impact of the riots.
Supply Chain Volatility in the Automobile Industry
Vehicle production is taking a toll due to the ongoing computer chip shortage. According to a report by Goldman Sachs and forecasts by advisory experts, they predict the shortfall to persist throughout the rest of 2021, into 2022, and 2023, since demand will remain strong and supply will remain restricted.
Stable but stagnant: Transforming Jordan’s economy
After attempts by Prince Hamzah bin al-Hussein and other government officials to destabilize the country, King Abdullah of Jordan is eager to bolster his already strong ties with the US. While foreign policy may be high on the agenda, Jordanian policymakers should pay more attention to the pressing economic issues weighing on the country.
The Gatekeeper for PM David Cameron: An Interview with Kate Fall
GRI’s co-founder Basim Al-Ahmadi sat down via Zoom with Kate Fall to discuss her pivotal role as Deputy Chief of Staff under Prime Minister David Cameron.
Japan’s cryptocurrency market: Set to bloom or wither?
The popularisation of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology continues to grow worldwide. In Japan, engagement with cryptocurrency has blossomed among investors and major firms. Though that trend is likely to continue over the longer term, it may be tempered by regulation and an aging population.
Mercosur’s Birthday Celebration Reveals a Path towards Irrelevancy
The risk of Mercosur becoming another failed attempt of regional integration in Latin America has been rising steadily in the last two decades and is likely to increase even more in the current scenario. The tension between leaders on Mercosur’s last summit demonstrates a lack of internal cohesion that will lead the bloc towards failure and irrelevancy.
China’s Plan for the Post-Pandemic World Order: The Dual Circulation Strategy
On the 5th of February, 2021, China’s National People’s Congress passed the fourteenth five-year economic plan (14FYP) from 2021 to 2025. A core component of the 14FYP is the Dual Circulation Strategy (DCS). First set forth by President Xi Jinping during the Politburo Standing Committee Meeting of May 14th, 2020, the DCS is set to determine legislative, diplomatic and economic developments in China for the coming decade. Yet, the DCS is not well-defined. By looking into its origins, context, and objectives, this article will forecast the systemic changes to the Chinese economy introduced by the DCS. This article will argue that the DCS is nothing but a plan to advance China’s economic and political interests by strengthening its domestic market, achieving technological self-sufficiency, and promoting the adoption of its standards.
Walking the Tightrope: The UAE Makes Strides Towards Regional Power in the Gulf
The United Arab Emirates has taken increasingly bold foreign policy measures since the start of the pandemic. In a carefully crafted mix of economic and security measures, the UAE is not only on its way to repairing the economic impact of the pandemic but also to becoming a regional hegemon. The formal establishment of relations with Israel has significantly improved the UAE’s position in the short-term. However, the long term advantage of this agreement for the UAE will depend on Iran’s security status, and whether the UAE can compete with Saudi Arabia to become the region’s economic heart.
