Reports

Brexit has raised expectations of renewed attempts at joint Franco-German leadership of the EU. Without Britain’s leveling role, however, the EU’s prospects under the Berlin-Paris tandem could depend on compromises between German ordoliberalism and French economic interventionism. Smaller member states are concerned that their interests would be shunted aside.

With a reported deal to allow the Chinese military access to a key naval base, Cambodia has gained the attention of those following the Sino-U.S. rivalry. For Phnom Penh, however, its partnership with Beijing is about carefully balancing Vietnam and Thailand, two strong regional powers with which it still has ...

After experiencing a meteoric rise following the end of the civil war in 2002, the Angolan oil industry came tumbling down with the 2008 oil price crash and never recovered. Several recent developments indicate that a partial return to health could be on the horizon – although pre-2008 production will ...

For years, the only role “the people” have played in Russian politics is one in which they legitimize the regime in power. Though admittedly important, that role did not involve shaping the political agenda. Now, that seems to be changing – all because of a mismanaged election for Moscow’s city ...

The rise of China and the changes in U.S. policy brought by President Donald Trump have presented huge challenges for both Europe and India. Their interests align on some major issues, including international trade and combatting climate change. In the face of Brexit, India has also sought to bolster ties ...

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was supposed to cement Russian dominance over Europe’s gas markets while bypassing Ukraine. But as it nears completion, Gazprom’s bargaining power versus the EU appears diminished. The Kremlin’s strong-arm tactics have simply proved no match for market forces.

Germany is struggling to achieve its current environmental goals. A new policy package under consideration now is unlikely to provide a clear path forward. The taxes and subsidies it foresees contradict each other and could ultimately impede technological advancement. The proposal has proven disappointing to climate activists and economic critics ...

Once, the “European idea” helped unite a war-weary continent. Now, overbearing central authorities, suffocating bureaucracies and reams of red tape are limiting the freedom that idea once promised. Europeans are losing trust in their institutions, and worry for their own security. At the heart of the problem is weak leadership.

When Sabine Lautenschlaeger became the fourth representative of Germany on the ECB governing bodies to resign on former President Mario Draghi’s watch, the issues of his legacy and the collegiality in the EU’s central bank have come to the fore. Growing doubts over the bank’s stimulus policies combined with ignoring ...

It is now clear that social media is a historic technology that is changing politics forever. It has destroyed the monopoly over the dissemination of ideas, connects like-minded people across borders and empowers political fringe groups. All this is making democracy increasingly unruly and difficult to maintain, but it also ...

The rise of the middle class and the boom in information technology have made corruption less acceptable than it once was in Latin America. Nevertheless, graft remains a problem across the continent. Constitutional reforms could improve the situation, but Latin American countries are more likely to rely on new legislation ...

Sweden’s defense budget is to grow by about one third in the next three years, as the country reverses its decades-long policies and aims to rebuild its once impressive territorial defense capabilities. The plan hardly surprises in today’s neo-Cold War context, but given the scope and nature of the challenges ...

While the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are still staunch allies, the former has strayed from the latter to pursue its own interests, especially its fruitful cooperation with Beijing. In the multisided Yemen conflict, Abu Dhabi has begun backing separatist movements in the hope of taking over ports that ...

German trade statistics are sagging. Most commentators attribute this phenomenon to the global business cycle. More likely, today’s figures are the outcome of earlier decisions made by German companies to move resources outside of Europe, and they are now developing their products elsewhere. If true, German foreign trade flows will ...

Botched decolonization in the 20th century has saddled sub-Saharan Africa with the nation-state concept and social designs that are alien to its indigenous societies. The result is the twin scourge of perennial conflict and economic weakness. The outside world should rethink its stand on the decentralization of African states and ...

In August, Guatemalans elected a new president, Alejandro Giammattei, who promises to follow through on his predecessor’s promises to expel an international anti-corruption commission from the country. He also wants to renegotiate a deal with Washington that could see thousands of migrants seeking asylum in Guatemala. Both issues could prove ...

While some countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made tremendous progress in improving their health systems, the region still lacks adequate healthcare on the whole. The situation is especially dire in countries with large populations in remote areas. Moreover, a declining flow of developmental assistance could make it increasingly difficult for ...

Some monarchs who are committed to modernization, good governance and improving the economy. Others simply uphold the rule of law and provide a sense of nationhood. In such cases, they render invaluable services to their nations. 

The Trump administration had demonstrated a willingness to return to the negotiating table with North Korea. Pyongyang, however, continues to test the American commitment to a deal that would require complete denuclearization. In October, a technical negotiation between the two sides ended without progress. The North Korean strategy may be ...

After the European elections this year, Matteo Salvini and his Lega party were riding high. Many expected he would capitalize on the wave of support and call for new elections. When he finally did, parties on the left moved against him. With a savvy political move from former Prime Minister ...

The United States appears to have adopted the strategy of the British Empire when dealing with the Middle East, creating dissent and lending assistance to whichever side opposes its enemies. However, history shows this approach is likely to backfire.

European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that she intends to create a level playing field for EU airlines. However, the legislative package currently being discussed contains measures that would have the opposite effect. Taxes on kerosene could hobble EU aviation companies by putting them at ...

A spate of violence against foreigners in South Africa last month highlighted Africa’s struggle to overcome ethnic divisions. In many countries, tribal and religious loyalties supersede national ones, making it difficult to create a united national polity. States that have been forced to unite in conflict have done better in ...

For seven decades after World War II, Japan was comfortably ensconced in a geopolitical framework that seemed both stable and predictable. With the rise of China and, more recently, new responses from the United States to economic and geopolitical challenges, this framework is evolving. More than ever in the postwar ...