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North America Politics

Midterm Series: How the elections will affect US trade policies

A Republican Senate could drag out negotiations between the United States and EU, and between the United States and Pacific Rim countries, for at least the next 2 years. This

Europe Politics

Ukraine parliamentary election will test divided country

The snap parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26 are an important test for Ukraine’s stability. Announced by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in August at arguably the high point of the

Latin America Politics

Brazil elections: Rousseff and Neves vie for Brazil’s top position

The upcoming election for the Brazilian presidency is tight, pitting center-right Aecio Neves against incumbent Workers’ Party President Dilma Rousseff.  The results could have major consequences for Brazil’s internal market,

Latin America Politics

Brazil elections: Why the left has already won

Whoever wins the Brazilian presidential elections will have to accommodate a powerful legislature dominated by left of center parties, opposed to macroeconomic adjustment and proposals to attract foreign investment. Although the

North America Security

Mexico’s security situation worsens

Despite significant efforts by the Nieto government, Mexico has been unable to curb the influence of organised crime and establish security across the country. The disappearance of 43 students is

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Turkey has much to lose in Kobani

With the Islamic State’s insurgency in Kobani still raging economic fallout in Turkey has already begun. The Turkish state is making significant unforced errors, with damaging long-term consequences for its

South and Central Asia Technology and infrastructure

Is Tajikistan’s Facebook crackdown a sign of things to come?

Earlier this month, Tajikistan blocked access to several sites, including Facebook, that had published articles critical of the Rakhmon government. The crackdown is a sign of things to come, and

North America Politics

Midterm Series: Will independents determine US midterm elections?

The US 2014 will hold midterm congressional elections on November 4. Although the House of Representatives is essentially conceded to the Republican Party, the Senate is fiercely contested, and will likely end with

Middle East/North Africa Security

Islamic State takes advantage of cash economies in Iraq and Syria

Backed by hundreds of millions of dollars in locally generated funding, the Islamic State has reaped the benefits of cash-driven economies in Iraq and Syria. The US-led military campaign must

International Natural resources and energy

Three perspectives on falling oil prices

Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the US will feel the effects of oil prices in radically different ways. It would be logical to think that the emergence of ISIL would have