Latest Insights
Why Iraq is not a new Vietnam
It was fashionable in 2007 to label the Iraq War as the next Vietnam. It was easy to draw parallels – weak local allies, a post-invasion quagmire, insurgency, inability to
Compliance risks challenge business in the Middle East
Some markets have avoided rigid laws and regulations as a comparative advantage. But that has changed lately. Compliance has gained in importance worldwide as laws approved in one corner of the
Disputes from Maracanã to Marikana put pressure on mining
From Brazil to South Africa and beyond, disputes threaten to disrupt the extractive industry. More than ever, mining firms need to address their social and environmental costs in a sustainable way
Ukraine crisis forces US to keep military in Europe
The United States must work with a politically divided Europe to face down Russia. The Ukrainian crisis will force the US to keep a strong presence despite the wish to
Sino-Russian gas deal: Alliance or partnership?
Does the recent gas deal between Russia and China signal a broader geopolitical alliance between the two countries, or is it simply an economic partnership? The recent announcement of a
4 challenges facing Egypt’s new president Sisi
Egypt’s newly elected President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, inherits a nation embattled by years of turmoil and instability. A bleak economic situation and continued crackdown on opposition and militant attacks are
3 reasons Bolivia’s Evo Morales is here to stay
With the backing of the military and the opposition divided and conquered, Evo Morales will likely stay on as Bolivia’s president. Such political stability will present Bolivia with an opportunity to
US corporate tax backlash keeps OECD at arm’s length
OECD efforts to develop international rules for corporate tax avoidance are necessary, if not overdue. The US, however, is playing politics, in spite of its own pressure on foreign governments
Modi and Rajan face uphill battle with India’s growth and inflation
Given the potential conflict between Narendra Modi’s focus on growth and the Reserve Bank of India President Raghuram Rajan’s goal to curb inflation, both will need to work together to
EU-India trade agreement stalled by EU politics
The EU and India have negotiated an ambitious free trade agreement since 2007. Yet, an early conclusion of the agreement is highly unlikely as Brussels is in crisis mode. India and
