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Costas Iordanidis
Costas Iordanidis POLITICS / ECONOMY
Jonathan Paris
Jonathan Paris DEFENSE / POLITICS
Dr. Amatzia Baram
Dr. Amatzia Baram DEFENSE / POLITICS
Dr. Hildegard of Liechtenstein
Dr. Hildegard of Liechtenstein ECONOMY / ENERGY
Prince Michael of Liechtenstein
Prince Michael of Liechtenstein ECONOMY / POLITICS
Dr. Pawel Kowal
Dr. Pawel Kowal POLITICS / DEFENSE
Dr. Jorge Balan
Dr. Jorge Balan POLITICS / ECONOMY
Yuge Ma
Yuge Ma ENERGY / ECONOMY
GIS Feature
GIS Feature POLITICS / DEFENSE
Carlos Eduardo Lins da Silva
Carlos Eduardo Lins da Silva POLITICS / ENERGY
Kati Kang
Kati Kang POLITICS / DEFENSE
Dr. Anthony Maingot
Dr. Anthony Maingot POLITICS / ECONOMY
Dorothee Deuring
Dorothee Deuring ECONOMY / POLITICS
Dr. Samir Nassif
Dr. Samir Nassif DEFENSE / POLITICS
Yang Razali Kassim
Yang Razali Kassim POLITICS / ECONOMY
Dr. Lucja Cannon
Dr. Lucja Cannon ECONOMY / POLITICS

NEW Opinion: Control of trade routes is decisive

European Union
Map of China’s maritime and overland trade routes with Europe European Union
Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

ECONOMY / POLITICS

China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) is at once a trading and a political strategy. By securing trade routes and enlisting allies, the Chinese are laying the groundwork for their long-term resurgence as Eurasia’s leading economic and political power. If it continues to stand aside from this process, Europe would be making a historic mistake.

21.07.2017

Zimbabwe’s pivotal moment

Eastern & Southern Africa
A map of Zimbabwe showing Mashonaland, Harare and the Marange diamond fields Eastern & Southern Africa

Zimbabwe’s deepening economic crisis have led to protests of unprecedented intensity against the regime of President Robert Mugabe. However, the opposition is divided, and Mr. Mugabe still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. If the coalition of opposition parties can remain unified, it has a chance of unseating the president in next year’s elections. But no matter the outcome, unrest is likely to continue.

20.07.2017

GIS Dossier: China’s global ambition

Asia-Pacific
President Xi Jinping reviews Chinese troops in Hong Kong Asia-Pacific

The People’s Republic of China is now attaining military might commensurate with its global economic position. This emerging colossus faces a dramatic demographic challenge at home, however, and stiff international resistance to some of its key strategic goals.

19.07.2017
Expert view

FREE

North Korea crisis reveals true nature of Russia-China relationship

Many people seem to believe that China and Russia have a close relationship and can work together to solve issues the United States struggles with. But Moscow’s failure to inform Beijing of a U.S. strike in Syria and Russia’s energy exports to North Korea tell a different story.
Kati Kang

Kati Kang

POLITICS / DEFENSE
21.07.2017

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Comment
from H.S.H. Prince Michael
of Liechtenstein

Opinion: Control of trade routes is decisive

China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) is at once a trading and a political strategy. By securing trade routes and enlisting allies, the Chinese are laying the groundwork for their long-term resurgence as Eurasia’s leading economic and political power. If it continues to stand aside from this process, Europe would be making a historic mistake.
21.07.2017
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The Saudi-Iranian rivalry: will there be a major conflict?

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Opinion: Control of trade routes is decisive
Prince Michael of Liechtenstein
21.07.2017
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Dr. Svyatoslav Kaspe
18.07.2017
Opinion: European Union must define its spheres of influence
Bernard Siman
14.07.2017
The fog of cybersecurity
Dr. Frank Umbach
10.07.2017
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Energy

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A map of the United Arab Emirates Maghreb & the Middle East

The UAE balances oil riches with green energy drive

The United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s leading oil producers, and gets 100 percent of its electricity from burning natural gas. However, this fossil fuel-dependent country has big ambitions to become a champion of green energy. Though the goals look achievable, market realities mean oil is likely to play the dominant role in its economy.

Dr. Carole Nakhle

11.07.2017
A map of the world showing countries that are buying, or consider acquiring nuclear power facilities from China China & Northeast Asia

China’s nuclear energy ambitions

China is pushing to become the leading exporter of civilian nuclear technology. Its first domestically designed reactor is a hard sell abroad due to regulatory barriers and safety concerns, and the market for nuclear power is stagnant at best. Beijing, however, can afford to offer incentives to buyers and is not discouraged easily.

Joseph Dobbs

04.07.2017
Map of Caspian oil and gas deposits Russia & Central Asia

Caspian oil and gas in a world of plenty

Back in the 1990s, there was a gold-rush atmosphere about the Caspian Sea, which was proclaimed as the next Alaska or North Sea in terms of its oil and gas potential. But exploitation of these riches was hobbled by territorial disputes between the littoral states Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. Now the end of this stalemate could be in sight, but the oil and gas market has moved on.

Dr. Carole Nakhle

12.06.2017
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller with parts of the future Nord Stream 2 pipeline Europe

The risks of German unilateralism on Nord Stream 2

Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the most controversial energy project in Europe, is putting strain on Germany’s relationship with other European Union members. Berlin’s support of the project at the expense of other partners could deepen rifts in the EU and lead to a renationalization of energy policies, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.

Dr. Frank Umbach

11.05.2017
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Defense & Security

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President Xi Jinping reviews Chinese troops in Hong Kong Asia-Pacific

GIS Dossier: China’s global ambition

The People’s Republic of China is now attaining military might commensurate with its global economic position. This emerging colossus faces a dramatic demographic challenge at home, however, and stiff international resistance to some of its key strategic goals.

GIS Feature

19.07.2017
A map showing the Durand Line, the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and areas where the Pashtun population in the region live South & Southeast Asia

Trump’s options in the Afghan-Pakistan divide

The complicated task of stabilizing Afghanistan is made even more complex by the support Pakistan and other countries give the Taliban. The United States will have to navigate this web of interests and alliances carefully. An increase in American troop levels could deter some of the players in the region from destabilizing the country. For now, that scenario seems likely.

Bernard Siman

13.07.2017
Laptop computer with message about cyberattack on the UK National Health Service North America

The fog of cybersecurity

A worldwide surge of sophisticated cyberattacks has alarmed business, governments and experts alike. As long as it remains difficult to identify the attackers, while offensive cyber tools become more commonplace and easily available, one can expect such assaults to increase. Disruptive attacks on critical infrastructures have already crossed the “red lines” of past forecasts. Even so, we may still be underestimating the threat.

Dr. Frank Umbach

10.07.2017
An Iranian police guard stands outside the parliament building in Tehran Maghreb & the Middle East

Opinion: ISIS attacks in Tehran – why now?

After years of fighting and murdering lesser foes, the Sunni Arab ISIS (Daesh) terror group has turned against Shia Iran, which it considers its religious and political archenemy in the Middle East. As Iran blames Saudi Arabia for the recent bloody ISIS attack in Tehran, a direct confrontation between these two regional powers has become a possibility, however not too likely, with immense potential consequences.

Dr. Amatzia Baram

16.06.2017
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Politics

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Map of China’s maritime and overland trade routes with Europe European Union

Opinion: Control of trade routes is decisive

China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) is at once a trading and a political strategy. By securing trade routes and enlisting allies, the Chinese are laying the groundwork for their long-term resurgence as Eurasia’s leading economic and political power. If it continues to stand aside from this process, Europe would be making a historic mistake.

Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

21.07.2017
A map of Zimbabwe showing Mashonaland, Harare and the Marange diamond fields Eastern & Southern Africa

Zimbabwe’s pivotal moment

Zimbabwe’s deepening economic crisis have led to protests of unprecedented intensity against the regime of President Robert Mugabe. However, the opposition is divided, and Mr. Mugabe still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. If the coalition of opposition parties can remain unified, it has a chance of unseating the president in next year’s elections. But no matter the outcome, unrest is likely to continue.

Anonymous GIS Expert

20.07.2017
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny speaks after being splashed with green antiseptic Russia & Central Asia

Navalny: The black hole of Russian politics

In just four years, Alexey Navalny has taken Russia's political scene by storm. From a complete unknown, he has risen to the first opposition figure who can be legitimately regarded as a possible alternative to Vladimir Putin. But beyond his flashy anti-corruption campaign, even close political observers have little idea what Mr. Navalny stands for. Many cannot shake the feeling that he enjoys a special tolerance from the authorities.

Dr. Svyatoslav Kaspe

18.07.2017
UK Prime Minister Theresa May European Union

The UK is leaving the EU, not Europe

Brexit will offer the European Union and the United Kingdom the chance to put themselves back on track. The UK will no longer be seen as just one of 28 member states, while the EU can reestablish itself as a tool for collective action. However, this outcome will require flexibility from both sides. For now, a “hard Brexit” scenario is unlikely.

Dr. Uwe Nerlich

17.07.2017
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Economy

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U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and ECB President Mario Draghi G20

Opinion: Confusing statements on money and trade

Janet Yellen is not worried about another global financial crisis. Mario Draghi and even Warren Buffet bemoan “inequality.” But no one seems to be taking seriously the problems artificially cheap money is causing to the global economy. With such a fragile global financial situation, free trade could be a big help – but protectionism is on the rise. Could the upcoming G20 meeting bring substantive progress on that count?

Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

07.07.2017
President Donald Trump meets with small-business leaders in January 2017 North America

The danger of Trump’s tax plans

U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tax breaks for the middle class are either negligible or unsustainable, and probably both. Americans should expect a continuing public deficit and a rise in public debt. This will not be an immediate problem for the economy, but it will create growing structural imbalances. Putting the budget in order should be President Trump’s priority. The question is whether he has the vision and leadership qualities to do it.

Professor Enrico Colombatto

26.06.2017
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GIS Dossier: From Mao to Xi, China’s quest for growth

China’s explosive growth has made it the emerging hegemon of Asia and one of the most powerful engines of the global economy. But if the giant country fails to meet the challenges that lay ahead, it may also cause a lot of turmoil in the 21st century.

GIS Feature

07.06.2017
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The Federal Reserve’s exit from quantitative easing

The question is not whether but when the U.S. Federal Reserve will start to shrink its bloated balance sheet. Just as quantitative easing was a departure from conventional monetary policy, its withdrawal will be a massive economic experiment. Unintended consequences are to be expected.

Dr. Emmanuel Martin

18.05.2017
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