Foreign Policy Blogs

Global Risks

Pandemic, Rights, and Commons: America’s Odd Challenge

Pandemic, Rights, and Commons: America’s Odd Challenge

An odd policy problem arises out of the Covid pandemic, in the interface (pun noted) between private rights, i.e. not to wear a facemask, and public mandates to wear them.  The collision of particular rights with needs of the commons arises in many global issues.  Henry Kissinger points toward it in the international relations context, noting […]

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Foreign Policy and the Green New Deal

Foreign Policy and the Green New Deal

In their support of the Green New Deal, did some Democrats call for a return to American global leadership – or even endorse American Exceptionalism? First-term Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.-NY) and forty-year veteran Senator Ed Markey (D.- Mass.) put forth a dramatic re-imagining of the approach the U.S. government should take toward climate change and […]

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Angola’s Story of Politically Exposed Persons and Debt Traps

Angola’s Story of Politically Exposed Persons and Debt Traps

In its financing attempts that brought the resource-rich country to become indefinitely indebted for a long time, the Government of Angola sought a US$15 billion loan from China (one of many) last May. Just as this latest round of financing commenced, Standard and Poors downgraded Angola’s sovereign credit rating to B- due to concerns about […]

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On the Halifax International Security Forum

On the Halifax International Security Forum

A recent article in the Atlantic penned by Eliot Cohen, a former State Department luminary and currently Director of the Strategic Studies Program at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington DC, lamented the collapse of the global elite and its inability to offer anything of substance to a world in turmoil. He cited the […]

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Argentina’s U-Turn Faces Challenges Ahead

Argentina’s U-Turn Faces Challenges Ahead

Argentina’s economic policy change has been in line with market expectations so far. However, the country will not be able to avoid the adjustment process resulting from Macri’s aggressive reform agenda.

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Weekly Risk Outlook

Weekly Risk Outlook

Iowa Caucuses open. Argentina to introduce settlement offer. U.S. economy slows. Nations of TPP sign pact. Peace efforts in Syria continue. All in this Week’s Risk Outlook.

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Going Backwards: The Crisis in Venezuela

Going Backwards: The Crisis in Venezuela

Chavez’s 21st century socialism has failed, pushing Venezuela to the brink of a major humanitarian crisis.

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Weekly Risk Outlook

Weekly Risk Outlook

ECB speech after signals of new stimulus. Iranian President travels to Europe. Bank of England officials testify. Conferences highlight oil price collapse. Bank of Japan surprise with policy shift. All in the week’s risk outlook.

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The Recession In Latin America Will Transform Its Geopolitics

The Recession In Latin America Will Transform Its Geopolitics

Latin America will suffer a recession this year. This will not only have economic consequences for the next three years, but also transform Latin American politics, ending a decade-long division.

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How Will The Saudi-Iranian Conflict Affect Oil Markets?

How Will The Saudi-Iranian Conflict Affect Oil Markets?

The recent Saudi-Iranian clash is unlikely to affect oil markets for now, but the redistribution of political power between Saudi Arabia and Iran, along with the US disengagement from the Middle East might have long-term consequences for the region’s stability and global oil supply trends.

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Weekly Risk Outlook

Weekly Risk Outlook

Obama delivers last SOTU. Paris hosts monetary policy conference. Economic development explored in Latin America. EU commission begins investigation. Former comedian becomes president.

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