Tag "economic crisis"

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Middle East/North Africa Security

Rising tension due to Gulf maritime security: Possible threat to the global economy?

There was recently an attack on the Mercer Street vessel belonging to an Israeli billionaire, with Iran being blamed for the incident. These kinds of attacks have been happening since the beginning of the year, and it appears highly likely that they will continue. There is a possibility of maritime security breaches in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Such developments could lead to a rise in political, economic and security issues, especially if they were to coincide with an Israel-Iran confrontation.

Africa Covid-19

Could Zambia’s Debt Default Signal a Domino Effect on the African Continent?

In November 2020, news outlets reported that Zambia had become the first African country to default on debt against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, after opting out of a $42.5 million eurobond repayment. Zambia’s external debt payments have increased significantly since 2014, from 4% of government revenue to an estimated 33% in early 2021. As neighbouring countries in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to suffer the economic squeeze of the pandemic, there are fears that others will follow Zambia in defaulting sooner than experts anticipated. 

Finance North America

The US’s schizophrenic recovery: Banks’ earnings on the rise as the government bails out families

Talks of a “K-shaped” recovery after the pandemic crisis started in 2020, predicting that some sectors of the economy will benefit disproportionately by the pandemic, while everyone else bears the costs for it. Big banks and the world of finance are surely to be on the benefiting end. However, policy-makers, shareholders and executives seem to be missing a key lesson of the Great Recession -the risk of an enriching bank system that loses touch of reality may aggravate the schizophrenia of the post-pandemic economies.

North America Politics

Book Review: “Janesville” holds lessons for both parties going into midterms

“Janesville: An American Story” is a captivating account of the impact of the economic crisis and local auto plant closure on a whole community. Despite Trump’s promises, these are problems the current administration is nowhere near addressing – but do the Democrats know what needs to be done either?

Latin America Politics

Can new elections save Venezuela?

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in the last few weeks, demanding early elections and the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro.

Latin America Security

An olympic challenge in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil’s economic problems could overshadow its Rio Summer Olympics, thereby increasing its political risk.

Latin America Power Brokers

Mauricio Macri: A reformer in the making

With his economic reforms, Argentinian President Mauricio Macri will reposition Argentina more competitively in the global economy.

Economics South and Central Asia

Mongolia hit hard by China’s economic slowdown

Mongolia has been greatly affected by China’s economic slowdown. How have falling commodity prices and a devaluation of Mongolia’s currency affected the country? Surpassing the US as the world’s largest

Europe Natural resources and energy

Clean Energy Damages Europe’s Competitiveness

For years Europe has been at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution, promoting and establishing global rules in this sector. There are signs however that this trend might change.

Economics Europe

Confidence in EU Increases Amid Economic Crisis

Recent months have seen a significant boost in European business and consumer confidence, according to the latest official statistics published by Eurostat in late July. The data show that the