Latest Insights
Fighting ISIS may not be the core of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition
The Saudi Arabia-led coalition of 34 countries announced on Tuesday seems to represent a real change in the country’s foreign policy; however several factors lead to think it is another
Haiti’s gold problem
Haiti’s hidden gold may hold the key to alleviating its socio-economic issues; however this will be dependent on political stability and the absence of crony capitalism. Haiti is the poorest
Weekly Risk Outlook
Obama delivers last SOTU. Paris hosts monetary policy conference. Economic development explored in Latin America. EU commission begins investigation. Former comedian becomes president. All in the Weekly Risk Outlook. President Barack Obama Delivers
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
Crude oil prices could detract from short-term security in Nigeria
An economic slowdown due to a decrease in oil revenues in 2016 could contribute to a deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, causing investor apprehension to rise. This article examines the
The Cost of Terror in Brussels
Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, is experiencing some immediate economic effects resulting from recent terror threats in 2015. This city’s experience may prove to be a
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
Is Alibaba buying influence with South China Morning Post purchase?
GRI looks at Alibaba’s move to buy the 112-year old Hong Kong English-language daily, and what it means for Hong Kong’s media and Alibaba’s future. Christmas came early for China’s
The Pentagon’s New Nuclear Gravity Bomb
Despite its advertisement as a low-yield, lower-risk alternative to existing missile models, the recently tested B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb presents several risks that may in fact elevate the threat of
