Economy

Central Asia: from sanctions to strategy

Kazakhstan is moving the fastest. Construction is under way on the new Darbaza-Maktaaral rail link to Uzbekistan (US$523 million) and a second track on the Dostyk-Moiynty section to lift China-Europe capacity five-fold by 2027. At the Caspian end, Aktau will add a 200,000 TEU container hub by 2025 for just US$42 million, while Kuryk gains [...]

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Corridors or Chokepoints – the infrastructure bet driving Ethiopia’s future

Although the Pretoria accord halted open warfare, Ethiopia’s political temperature has begun to rise again. Rival factions inside the Tigray People’s Liberation Front now contest the authority of the federally backed Interim Administration; analysts warn that internal splits could ignite a fresh insurgency and draw Eritrea back in. In parallel, the Fano militia in Amhara

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South Africa: the state power crisis and civil unrest risk

South Africa’s economy in 2025 continues to struggle, with weak growth and mounting structural pressures. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has downgraded growth forecasts to approximately 1.2% for the year. Reuters confirm the government’s official forecast has also been lowered, as electricity supply constraints and tariff hikes weigh on businesses and consumers

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The Future of Work has arrived: is your job future proof?

The foundation of modern employment, study hard, secure a job, build a stable life, is eroding fast. Technological progress, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, is breaking down the old economic model that tied individual effort to secure long term work. From logistics to legal services, tasks considered immune to disruption are now being

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Savings and Sanctions: Indonesia lured by Russian oil

With its recent entry into BRICS offering Indonesia closer ties with Russia, the potential import of discounted Russian oil presents a double-edged sword with both an opportunity and a conundrum. The appeal is clear: Energy Minister, Bahlil Lahadalia, and National Economic Council Chair, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, have calculated savings of up to US$22 per barrel,

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India among superpowers: what is its geopolitical role?

India is recognised as a growing power in global politics. Its rise is not simply due to economic growth but also its deft ability to handle present-day international diplomacy. The country’s key strength is its capability to both maintain and leverage relationships with world leaders and regional actors. This includes improving ties with the US

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China and her Asian enemies: the battle for the Indo-Pacific territories

The Indo-Pacific region’s strategic sea lanes, rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves have made it a hot point for geopolitical rivalry and confrontation. The future of the region – which stretches from Eastern Africa to the Western Americas – depends on China’s resolve to realise its ambitions – and the degree to which her

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The new power play in Africa: Russia, China and the shifting sands of influence

Africa’s geopolitical landscape is changing, driven by the active involvement of Russia and China. Russia has had a hand in Africa for some time, but China’s recent involvement is further impacting historic colonial structures and patterns. Vestiges of Africa’s colonial past are still evident in its regimented zones of influence and in the political and

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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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‘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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