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Politics South and Central Asia

Temper your expectations in U.S.-India relations

President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to India has unleashed much talk and speculation regarding U.S.-India relations. Expectations of a stronger strategic partnership may need to be tempered. President Obama is

Asia Pacific Economics

Trade unaffected despite competing claims in South China Sea

Despite China’s increasing assertiveness regarding its territorial claims in the South China Sea, trade in the region is still unaffected. China’s various government agencies, tasked with enforcing Beijing’s claims in the

Politics South and Central Asia

What to expect from Obama’s trip to India

President Barack Obama heads Sunday to India in the United States’ latest attempt to move closer with India. Though the relationship between the two powers has not been without its

Politics Sub-Saharan Africa

Terrorism and oil price plague Nigeria ahead of election

Attacks from Boko Haram and dwindling revenue from oil are creating problems for Nigeria, and poor leadership is only making matters worse. However, Nigeria may have the chance for a

International Security

IS hack underscores need for Cybersecurity Framework

The hack on the US Military’s Central Command Twitter accounts by IS this week illustrates the increasing ability of non-state cyber criminals to disrupt official government and corporate accounts. The

Economics Europe

Russia’s recession could hurt European trading partners

The beginning of 2015 in Russia was marked by further depreciation of the ruble, burgeoning inflation, and withdrawal of some more MNCs from its market. Experts no longer doubt that

Asia Pacific Politics

Relisting will push North Korea towards Russian alliance

In early November 2014, North Korea exhibited a hint of good-will by releasing two American prisoners, Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller. This was an enigmatic gesture, but it lit a

Economics Middle East/North Africa

Will ‘Economic Cities’ bring diversity to Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi government hopes new special economic zones can spur foreign investment and lessen the Kingdom’s reliance on oil. Regulatory reforms are needed, however, to convince foreign firms that Saudi

Europe Politics

EU reconsiders its policy towards Russia

Since early 2014, EU-Russia relations have been severely strained as a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Politicians, scholars and authors talk of a “new Cold War” that has economics

International Natural resources and energy

Oil outlook for 2015

“Best two days in 3 years,” read a headline closing the final week before Christmas, an early gift for US equity traders – tonic enough for most to wash down the