Politics
Autocracy in Azerbaijan threatens long-term investment
Despite enjoying rich energy resources with which to tempt FDI, Azerbaijan’s autocratic political climate remains a long-term liability to said investment. In Azerbaijan, foreign investment opportunities and geopolitical considerations take
Why US business cannot afford to ignore unbalanced politics
The US government shutdown revealed that big business may have responsibilities to a functioning political system. After a three-week debacle, the greatest loser is neither a political party nor the
Venezuela’s President Maduro seeks greater autonomy
After six months as president, Hugo Chávez’s handpicked successor, Nicolás Maduro, has made an official request to parliament to rule by decree. The President has spoken out against the corruption
Taking the debt ceiling to the brink
With the House of Representatives having passed a bill Wednesday night putting an end to the government shutdown, let’s take a look at the factors that contributed to the political
Are rights abuses behind Gambia’s Commonwealth exit?
Gambia’s exit from the Commonwealth has – Gambia’s accusation of neo-colonialism aside – raised question as to whether rights abuses drove Gambia to exit. Last week, the Gambia withdrew from
Is Sudan the next Arab Spring hot spot?
With its neighbors roiled in the messy aftermath of the Arab Spring, some have expressed hope that Sudan will be the next chip to fall to popular revolution. The most
Why the US Shutdown May Actually Mean Bigger Government
It sounds like the kind of lofty thought experiment that academics would ponder: What happens if the U.S. government shuts down? The event is full of paradoxes. On the one
Is Muslim Brotherhood Ban a Return to Oppression?
As Egypt’s interim government moves to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, questions are emerging as to whether calls for freedom in Tahrir Square are backsliding? On the 23rd of September, after the socialist
Spain and Britain Renew Dispute over Gibraltar
The UK has called in EU officials to Gibraltar to look into Spain’s heightened border controls in the area; in possible violation of EU free movement rules. The centuries-long dispute
Grand Coalition or Odd Couple? Merkel’s Dilemma
Despite the resounding victory, Chancellor Merkel faces a politically risky decision that will have far-reaching consequences for the stability of her government and for the German and European economies. On
