Due Diligence

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard given the green light for terrorism

It is now clear that operations of the terrorist group Hamas are being funded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Furthermore, there are reports of plans by the IRGC to carry out terrorist attacks on non-military Western targets, in an attempt to deter countries from …

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The deterioration of India–China relations: the battle for influence in South Asia

India and China have long viewed each other’s global aspirations with suspicion. While their proximity makes them economically intertwined, their histories and geopolitical agendas have made their relationship fraught with distrust. India hopes for a multipolar international order in which New Delhi has a strong voice. Beijing wants to be a counterbalance to the US …

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Dutch decisions: mapping the business implications of the Netherlands’ elections

The Dutch elections are fertile ground for new coalition-building – there will be no outright majority. Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) continues to hold the lead, having demonstrated a degree of permanence in government. However, Rutte resigned in July after he failed to keep the current government coalition …

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Malaysia’s audacious push for a new trading bloc

The new trade corridor agreement championed by Malaysia marks a pivotal moment in regional trade history, with its impact expected to reverberate far beyond the member countries involved. Operating together, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) represent economic abundance and vitality. ASEAN, with its broad manufacturing digital marketplace, …

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Unearthing hidden media agendas and fake news

Who is funding the news sources you rely on? Do they have a hidden agenda? Who holds their purse strings? How much of their content is AI-generated? How much is fake news? Throughout history, news consumers have had to grapple with the task of discerning and evaluating the content they receive. The six centuries since …

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‘The Arabian Phoenix’ Part 2 – Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

This year marks the half-way point in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030. To what extent is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on track to achieve its goals of diversification economically, socially and culturally that it outlined in 2016? Last year, KSA achieved the astonishing growth rate of 8.7% – making it the fastest growing …

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‘The Arabian Phoenix’ – Saudi Arabia’s resurgence in global trade

A new era is dawning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Historically, KSA’s riches have derived from abundant oil reserves, making it one of the globe’s leading exporters in this energy sector. The revenue generated from this exceptional wealth has shaped the country’s economy and infrastructure. However, dependence on and exposure to a single …

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‘Silent Partners’ Part 2 – organised crime’s black market activities

A troubling and complex issue has emerged in response to the US-led sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Organised crime groups (OCGs), driven by their relentless pursuit of profit, have found fertile ground in evading these sanctions, resulting in a cascade of effects felt across the globe. This is Part 2 of an …

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‘Silent Partners’ – organised crime’s profitable collaboration with sanctioned regimes

Three decades after the conclusion of Cold War 1.0, the global stage is witnessing an unsettling revival of Cold War dynamics and tensions. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 was supposed to mark the start of a new era. However, relations between the United States of America, Russia, China, Ukraine, Iran, North Korea, …

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US attempts to weaken BRICS

With talk that Venezuela and Mexico are formally applying for membership of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), it is a good time to assess just what the Biden administration is trying to do to weaken and break up the trading bloc. The US succeeded in regaining control over the Philippines as part …

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