Europe
OZY+GRI: Will the powerful German economy break up the EU?
Germany’s trade surplus is viewed with resentment across the EU due to the implied — and in some cases, tangible — economic imbalance that benefits Deutschland über alles and could lead to the dissolution of Europe’s grand experiment.
Exclusive Interview: Alfa Bank’s Chief Economist on the outlook for Russia
Natalia Orlova, Chief Economist and Head of Macro Insights at Alfa Bank, offers her expert view on Russia’s economic outlook – and warns that the market may be incorrectly pricing sovereign risks.
Poland faces isolation over Holocaust bill
Poland, along with its neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe, has recently received severe criticism from Brussels on its democratic backsliding and efforts to curb an independent judiciary, free press and other constitutional safeguards such as the rule of law.
Signs that Russia’s leadership may be ready for tax reform
The Kremlin is considering a major budgetary move following the presidential election in March 2018, but the plan may require some very unpopular measures. Is Russia’s leadership ready to take risks?
Interview: Europe’s crime-terror nexus
Evidence suggests that criminal and jihadist milieus are more and more intertwined, challenging established beliefs about the incompatibility of criminal behavior and religious Islamic fundamentalism.
The Islamist terrorism threat in Ireland
Following a series of incidents, Irish readiness to respond to radical Islamist terrorism is in question.
Argentina and Brazil push for a Mercosur agreement with the EU
2017 promised to be a decisive year for the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union given Brazil and Argentina’s strong efforts to finalize the deal. However, due to
The Czech Republic’s fractious politics hold a lesson for Europe
The latest news from the Czech Republic confirms a worrying trend for European politics, as populist and anti-immigration forces unite against perceived injustices and interference from the establishment in Brussels.
The U.S. blacklist of Russian oligarchs: what is the real impact?
The blacklist’s signaling effect will be significant – creating perceived risks for US or EU companies in working with listed persons and their companies.
The evolving terrorist threat to China’s Central Asia projects
With its infrastructure projects and business investments, China’s Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) initiative has the potential to transform Central Asia. But Chinese plans will face rising terrorism and extremism risks in the region.
