Latest Insights
Caspian Summit may revive Iran’s oil industry
Three previous Caspian Sea summits have failed to produce a consensus on the legal status of the regions natural resources. However, the discovery of energy resources near the Iranian Caspian
New terror threat from the Khorasan Group?
While international attention has focused on the atrocities of the Islamic State (IS) and the response of the US-led alliance against IS, the Pentagon recently introduced a new group called “Khorasan.” Here is a
Modi’s policies are more continuity than change
Despite Modi’s promises of change and reform, there is a remarkable continuity in India’s public policies. Since the late nineties, political consensus on economic reform pathways and foreign policy orientations has
Inversion rules transform US tax reform debate
The new US rules to discourage tax inversions are surprisingly tough, and set the table for tax reform debates in 2015. The ongoing tax inversion debate in the US can
Can TTIP survive politics in Germany and UK?
Both Germany and the United Kingdom have a crucial role to play in the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership deal. When José Manuel Barroso and Herman van
Protests jeopardise Hong Kong’s leverage with Beijing
Hong Kong protestors demand that Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying step down and for Beijing to allow free elections in 2017. Yet, volatile financial markets undermine some of the city’s leverage with Beijing.
US credit rating reform comes up short
US legislators have proposed several reforms of the US credit rating system. Yet, incentives for credit agencies remain misaligned, while a new subprime market begins to grow. Financial regulation in
Russian investments at risk from Ukraine sanctions
Ukraine has passed a new law “On sanctions,” which poses a wide range of risks for Russian investors and companies. While investors from Europe and the US are highly unlikely to
Argentina pushes for global debt restructuring mechanism
Argentina’s recent default has renewed interest in sovereign debt restructuring. And while developed countries still oppose the idea, placing it under the IMF may ease negotiations. Sovereign debt – the
Why do low risk premia persist despite global turmoil?
Low risk premia for emerging market assets are persistent. Yet, the world is awash with turmoil and uncertainty. How do we explain this seeming contradiction? The Bank of International Settlements (BIS)
