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Europe Politics

Euroscepticism in the Czech Republic: A Central European disaster waiting to happen, or hot air?

The rise of Euroscepticism in Central Europe has been well documented, particularly in the Czech Republic. Among the nations of the Visegrad Four, anti-EU sentiments have long provided easy fuel for political actors willing to appeal to populist instincts to secure political power. But will this result in a ‘Czexit’?

Europe Natural resources and energy

The Energy Briefing: Will US gas exports to Europe surge?

As US LNG exports have increased, policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic have viewed them as a way to decrease Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas. However, their ultimate success will be determined by market dynamics. At the moment, these dynamics generally favor Gazprom’s continued dominance.

Central America Economics Environment

The outlook for Costa Rica’s electric vehicle revolution

Costa Rica has introduced tax incentives for the electrical vehicle industry, which is likely to experience exponential growth in the next two decades. Risks to investors nonetheless remain.

Europe Politics

FYROM referendum: The risks of a ‘no’ vote

The FYROM referendum will take place on the 30th September 2018. If the electorate votes ‘no’, the question becomes – will the government will comply?

Economics Latin America

How market-friendly are Brazil’s presidential candidates? Part II

The 2018 presidential election is set to be the “election of hope” for the people of the country, but so far the race is wide open. GRI’s Lorena Valente revisits the candidates and how their views on the economy have evolved in recent months – or not.

Europe Middle East/North Africa Security

The Security Briefing: Libya, Lebanon, and Italy’s new defense minister

The latest Security Briefing from GRI Senior Analyst Nicolò Donà dalle Rose focuses on the appointment of Italy’s new Minister of Defense and its impact on Italian involvement in Libya and Lebanon, as well as Italy’s broader foreign policy stance.

Economics Europe

Italian government bond sell-off limits room for populist spending

The recent bond market sell-off reinforced concerns that investors have over the government’s spending plans. The Italian government is now likely to delay its plan to increase spending, in order to calm market jitters caused by the exposure of domestic banks to sovereign debt.

Middle East/North Africa Natural resources and energy Security Special Reports

The Energy Briefing: The never-ending battle for Libya’s Oil Crescent

The competition for the control of state revenues remains tense as Haftar’s Libyan National Army intensified its attempts to seize key institutions ahead of December 2018 elections. Although oil production increased in 2017, continuing insecurity due to armed groups still largely constrain Libya’s oil potential.

Asia Pacific Natural resources and energy

Sanctions, oil, and the emerging China-Russia-Iran axis

Although China has backpedalled on proposed tariffs on U.S. crude imports, the move is indicative of its need to diversify sources and steps may now be taken to enable China to play the oil card in the future – including imports from Iran despite sanctions, and drawing closer to Russia. 

Europe Natural resources and energy Technology and infrastructure

Challenges of Arctic shipping in Russia: The case of Novatek

In early August Novatek, Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer, launched the second train of Yamal LNG even earlier than planned. Although gas production is ahead of schedule, Novatek’s shipping capacities are lagging behind.