HomeEconomy & Business
Economy & Business
Corruption
Lithuanian prosecutor investigating possible misuse of EU funds for Belarus
In Lithuania there is a case of growing concern to European offices there and in Brussels. On May 4, 10 Lithuanian Members of the...
Interviews
Uzbekistan emerges as a key partner for Europe and the West in critical minerals
During the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), held in Uzbekistan's capital from June 16-18, NE Global conducted an exclusive interview with Rahimov Ulugbek...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Jared Kushner had better drop out of his Albania project — for his own good
Jared Kushner had better drop out of his Albania project -- for his own good! That was the thought that crossed my mind when...
NATO
NATO’s 2026 Ankara Summit: Progress on many fronts
While U.S. President Donald Trump garnered the bulk of media attention with his Iran pronouncements during the July 7-8 NATO Summit in Ankara, a...
EU Institutions
Ireland’s Presidency pledges to strengthen EU’s competitiveness, security and resilience
On July 1, Ireland formally assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time as the bloc faces significant...
Global Economy
Economic storm clouds gather as Trump declares Iran ceasefire is over
U.S. President Donald Trump would have dominated the July 7-8 NATO Ankara Summit in almost all circumstances but renewed high intensity U.S. military activity...
Electric power and transmission networks
EU countries reach deal on Grids Package to boost resilience and decarbonization
Before passing the baton to Ireland, the EU's Cypriot Presidency has reached an agreement among EU member states, taking key steps to deliver lower...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
In the UK’s defense…
With all the current political upheaval in the UK, it is almost easy to forget that what prompted the current turmoil was a row...
Transport
EU landmark deal improves air passenger rights protection
The European Parliament and the Council have reached a landmark political agreement on the revision of EU air passenger rights, marking the first overhaul...
Global Economy
U.S. breaks out of its deepening isolation at Évian G7 Summit
The 2026 G7 Summit was held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from 15–17 June. Compared with the more fractious 2025 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, G7 leaders...
Global Energy Supplies
Oil prices fall after U.S. and Iran sign interim agreement, boosting supply outlook
Oil prices dropped more than $1 per barrel on June 18 after the United States and Iran signed an interim agreement to end the...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Brussels’ Google file is only half-written
Type something into Google. A question about a lump, a debt, a divorce, a political party you would rather not be seen supporting. Under...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Climate innovation will require more than batteries: Why biological deep-tech deserves attention
The global climate transition is accelerating faster than ever. Governments, industries, investors, and researchers across the world are searching for technologies capable of reducing...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Baltic Ambition: How Lithuania and Latvia Are Building Europe’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
There is a Latvian saying that the slower you go, the further you will get. This is a reminder to take your time and...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
What comes after a World Cup? Qatar’s answer is taking shape
For Qatar, the 2022 FIFA World Cup did not end with the final whistle at Lusail Stadium; it marked the beginning of a more...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Brussels wants more tax power – again
European institutions are aligning behind a major expansion of EU-level fiscal powers in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). Alongside a larger budget, Brussels...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The Serbia and Albania Projects: How an American billionaire was lured into controversial business opportunities
In December 2025, Affinity Partners, the investment vehicle run by Jared Kushner (U.S. President Trump’s son-in-law and sometimes Special Envoy), announced it was pulling...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The Quiet Keystone: How Kyrgyzstan Forms the Core of Europe-Asia Connectivity
It is very rare that one hears about the importance of Kyrgyzstan to the vast world outside the Central Asian region. This country, much...
Energy
Global energy leaders address supply security and connectivity in Azerbaijan
Decision makers from governments, global energy companies and financial institutions as well as leading industry experts gathered in Baku on June 1-3 to discuss...
Asia & Pacific
Australia, India, Japan, and U.S. tackle Indo-Pacific challenges
In the midst of conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and increased pressure on global supply chains, the Foreign Minister of Australia, the External Affairs Minister of...
Connectivity
Rubio Yerevan visit advances coordination on TRIPP Corridor and Critical Minerals
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s May 26 Yerevan stopover, en route from his recent India visit, was one of the highest-level senior level...
Interviews
Interview: Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Suleymenova on biodiversity, climate and Caspian Sea shrinkage
Zulfiya Suleymenova, Ambassador-at-Large of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, sat down with NE Global in Astana, Kazakhstan, to discuss the outcomes of the Regional Ecological...
Iran
Iran framework deal emerging but more time required
In the middle of America's long Memorial Day weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump himself announced on May 23 that a peace deal is "largely...
Cuba
U.S. continues choking off the support lifeline for Cuba
Under unrelenting U.S. economic pressure, the Cuban economy in the first five months of 2026 has deteriorated into what many observers describe as the...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
IMEC’s Corridor of Letters
In February 2026, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones presented investors with a map titled “APSEZ rejuvenates India’s historic trade routes.” The phrase is...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Summer madness
As the days get longer and the chill of early spring starts to melt into much needed warmth around the world, so our mood...
China
China hosts Trump: High scores on ceremony but modest deliverables
No one should be surprised that U.S. President Donald Trump’s China visit on May 13-15 had a heavy focus on ceremony and symbolic messaging,...
Africa
France, African leaders vow to boost investment, face global challenges together
At a time of global geopolitical competition, France co-hosted the two-day Africa Forward summit on May 11-12 in Nairobi, Kenya, where French President Emmanuel...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Technology and the Future of Work
The role of technology in the Future of Work is not simply a matter of automation replacing human labor; it is a deeper transformation...
Europe & Eurasia
European Political Community summit advances connectivity, energy security
At a time of profound geopolitical transformation, the eighth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) on May 4 brought together leaders from across...
Sanctions and related policies
U.S. powers up Iran sanctions programs
The U.S. Treasury Department, under its new program called “Economic Fury,” announced in rapid succession five sets of fresh Iran sanctions beginning on April...
Climate Diplomacy
Kazakhstan spearheads ecological collaboration across Central Asia and beyond
Addressing climate and environmental challenges across Central Asia, the Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026 in Astana on April 22-24 hosted by the Government of...
Oil & Gas
Unhappy with OPEC strategy, UAE withdraws from oil cartel
After nearly 60 years of membership, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on April 28 its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the...
Global Economy
IMF warns of global downturn risk from continuing Iran conflict
It should surprise no one that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - World Bank Spring meetings in Washington D.C. on April 13–18 were overshadowed...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
MINE.IO – A Holistic Digital Mine 4.0 Ecosystem
Turning mining into a high-tech, data-driven industry, where decisions are smarter, faster and safer, MINE.IO is a European research project creating a “Digital Mine...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Maintaining the Port of Aqaba with IMEC Transit Fees
In early 2026, an Israeli official discussing the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) described Jordan’s concern that IMEC could divert cargo from the Port...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Europe’s regulatory reset: Why simplification must go further
The late motorsport innovator and founder of Lotus Cars Colin Chapman lived and worked by the maxim “simplify and add lightness.” The same tenet...
Global Energy Supplies
Hormuz shutdown deepens energy crisis in Asia
The Iran War and the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz is disrupting global oil and gas supplies, creating a major energy shock...
Democracy & Human Rights
After Orban’s defeat, Hungary set to rechart a European trajectory
The world is becoming an increasingly tough place for incumbent leaders everywhere when coming up for re-election. Even so, the April 12 parliamentary elections...
Global Energy Supplies
OPEC+ countries agree to increase production, raise concern over energy infrastructure attacks
Eight countries from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+, agreed on April 5 to a supply...
Freedom of Navigation
Intensive diplomacy focused on reopening Strait of Hormuz
Over the past week (March 30 - April 6) intensive diplomacy centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed in retaliation for...
Global Energy Supplies
EU calls for coordinated action to mitigate the impact of high energy prices
As the Iran war enters its second month, EU energy ministers discussed on March 31 a coordinated response to protect EU citizens and industries...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Turkmenistan is finally in the right place at the right time
Turkmenistan has for decades talked about making much greater use of its vast gas reserves to both expand export volumes and to diversify its...
Global Energy Supplies
IEA issues global energy shock warning
The war in the Middle East, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy facilities is creating an oil shock...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
How should Europe weather a perfect storm?
The world is in chaos, with the situation changing by the minute. As I write, President Trump has announced a deal with the Ayatollah,...
Oil & Gas
Industry warns EU Methane Regulation risks disruption to Europe’s oil and gas supply
Oil and gas companies have urged the European Union to pause its Methane Regulation, warning that it could put EU gas and crude oil...
United Kingdom
UK Government outlines measures to protect consumers and make Britain energy secure
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband unveiled on March 15 an accelerated package of energy interventions to protect consumers and boost the UK’s energy security,...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
An odd couple and the diminished EU Membership as an opportunity for the Western Balkans?
Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest political move brings to mind a blunt Old Testament warning: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so...
Sanctions and related policies
U.S. waiver for Russia oil sanctions brings dismay, not price stability
On March 12, the United States temporarily waived existing sanctions on Russian oil that is already at sea, allowing it to be delivered to...
Oil & Gas
IEA to carry out stock release as Middle East war disrupts markets
As the war in the Middle East disrupts global oil and gas supplies leading to skyrocketing prices, the 32 Member countries of the International...
Must read