Politics
Merkel faces cracks in coalition over refugee policy
The spate of violence on New Year’s Eve in Germany has caused a national scandal and created rifts within Angela Merkel’s governing coalition. The wave of violence which occurred in
Can Ramadi be rebuilt?
The success of the elite Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service in driving ISIS out of Ramadi offers a lesson for success to those who want to rebuild this demolished city. Iraq
Book review: The China challenge: Shaping the Choices of a Rising Power
GRI’s Robert Shines reviews Thomas J. Christensen’s lastest book, “The China Challenge”. Shines argues that holes exist in the author’s main thesis. In “The China Challenge: Shaping The Choices of
Trump vs. Clinton: Policy Implications for Economics and Markets
With the Iowa caucuses less than 30 days away, presidential campaigns are in full swing. Judging by the poll numbers, Donald Trump, a Republican, and Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, are
Iran in 2016: Top 5 Risks and Landmarks
2015 saw dramatic changes in the formal relationship between Iran and the major world powers, yet the significance of signing the Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA) does not lie in the signing
Belarus Walks a Tightrope
Five years after the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on Belarus for violently suppressing political opposition in the 2010 presidential elections, the sanctions have been lifted after
Weekly Risk Outlook
Venezuela’s Congress is inaugurated after surprise landslide victory. Puerto Rico defaults on minor debts. Tech innovators gather in Las Vegas. US releases latest unemployment figures. All in the Weekly Risk Outlook. Venezuela’s new
Singapore at the center of the Pacific chessboard
The current Russo-Turkish standoff has echoes in the Crimean War and is also a harbinger of Singapore’s role in the Asia-Pacific. Recently, tensions have increased between Russia and Turkey due
Can Iraq’s Prime Minister Al-Abadi hold on?
Division within Iraq’s ruling Dawa Party threatens to jeopardize the position of the Prime Minister. The United States’ key ally in Iraq is struggling to find a balance that ensures
What to expect in Europe in 2016
In addition to the continuation of current crises, Europe will face new matters of contention in 2016. Nationalism and fragmentation within the EU will keep growing, including on the Brexit