Foreign Policy Blogs

Trade & Economics

Soccer Inflation and the Transfer Market

Soccer Inflation and the Transfer Market

Astronomical amounts of money are being spent on soccer (football) transfers. These days, no one is shocked at news of multi-million dollar signings.

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Free Trade Taking a Beating in U.S. Election

Free Trade Taking a Beating in U.S. Election

In a sharply divided electorate, opposition to free trade is creating an unlikely point of unity between angry voters across the aisle.

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The Myth of Islamic Banking

The Myth of Islamic Banking

Islamists not only look at religion as a panacea to political issues, but also as a provider of social justice and an engine of economic prosperity.

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Syriza’s Haphazard Reforms Leave Greeks Suffering

Syriza’s Haphazard Reforms Leave Greeks Suffering

In 2016, Grexit—the issue that was once billed as “existential” for the EU—was barely mentioned across European media. Sometimes, no news is not good news.

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Iran’s Delicate Balancing Act

Iran’s Delicate Balancing Act

Simultaneously courting the West and expanding its influence beyond its borders could work in the short-term. But in the short-term only.

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Why the EU Should Rebuff China’s MES Ambitions

Why the EU Should Rebuff China’s MES Ambitions

Granting the world’s largest trading nation Market Economy Status (MES) is one of the thorniest issues in Europe right now, splitting the continent and dividing public opinion. Critics of awarding China this rather obscure World Trade Organization status argue it would severely impact governments’ ability to slap anti-dumping duties on cheap Chinese imports.

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Panama Papers Leak and the Growing use of Tax Havens

Panama Papers Leak and the Growing use of Tax Havens

Over 11 million leaked financial documents related to offshore tax havens has shed light on a large network of corruption and embezzlement that involves 12 current or former world leaders and some 130 politicians from around the globe.

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Why We Should Not Abandon Saudi Arabia

Why We Should Not Abandon Saudi Arabia

Beset by challenges ranging from the collapse in oil prices, to the spreading instability in the region, to criticism from its longtime allies in the United States, Saudi Arabia is facing its most difficult test in decades. But the kingdom has the means to overcome these difficulties, and also has the will to seize a unique opportunity to carry out important reforms.

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U.S. Presidential Candidates are Wrong on the TPP

U.S. Presidential Candidates are Wrong on the TPP

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, put together at the end of last year and signed at the beginning of last month, has not come into effect yet. Nonetheless, presidential candidates have spared no effort decrying it, turning the issue into a political piñata used to score points.

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The Five Oil Exporters Most Affected by Currency Devaluation

The Five Oil Exporters Most Affected by Currency Devaluation

Devaluation is the word of the day in oil exporting countries. Whether it is the Nigerian naira, the Venezuelan bolívar, or the Russian rouble, low oil prices are wreaking havoc in oil exporting economies and on their national currencies.

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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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Greece’s Forgotten Recovery

Greece’s Forgotten Recovery

After negotiations between the Greek government and the Troika finally came to an end last August, the gaze of the world drifted away from Athens.

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Finding the Silver Bullet to Jump Start the EU’s Economy

Finding the Silver Bullet to Jump Start the EU’s Economy

While the U.S. is inching closer to pre-crisis unemployment and GDP growth figures, the picture across the pond is much, much darker.

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Industry Must Be Part Of The Solution At COP21

Industry Must Be Part Of The Solution At COP21

In the U.S., any discussion involving climate change tends to deteriorate into an argument between two factions—those who feel that climate change is a very real threat to the planet, and those who say it is nothing but a scare tactic.

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Is the China Model Doomed?

Is the China Model Doomed?

Is the Chinese economic model doomed or is the Western business press making much ado about nothing?

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