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Economy & Business
Asia & Pacific
Australia, India, Japan, and U.S. address 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...
Transport
U.S. launches maritime reinsurance plan to reopen Persian Gulf shipping
The Trump administration’s March 6 plan to reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will require some time before it can be activated and...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The overlooked barrier to global economic progress
As world leaders in government, business and civil society gathered for the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (#WEF56) in Davos last...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Qatar drives dialogue and innovation in driverless e-Mobility
Set to host the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum in Doha this September, Qatar continues to get ready for showcasing the latest in and around sustainable...
Energy
With Middle East war underway, Southern Gas Corridor reinforces EU energy security
The European Union and Azerbaijan reconfirmed their strategic energy partnership this week in Baku as the EU continues to reduce its dependencies on Russian...
The Middle East
Economic shockwaves multiply as Iran war spreads
The United States' and Israel's ongoing major combat operations against Iran/Lebanon and the Islamic Republic’s indiscriminate strikes across the Middle East are escalating tensions...
The Middle East
Powerful opening salvo marks determined U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran
On February 28, a carefully coordinated American and Israeli attack on Iran -- which has for decades been calling for the destruction of both...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
Uzbekistan, U.S. to jointly develop critical minerals, infrastructure, energy
Aiming to strengthen critical supply chains and drive economic growth, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced a historic collaboration with the...
Trade
Liberation Day tariffs overturned as flagship U.S. trade policy damaged
It was not unexpected. Warnings had been coming for months that U.S. President Donald Trump’s flagship “Liberation Day” tariffs announced last April were simply...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
The global economic tectonic plates are moving. So, what could this mean?
Love him or hate him, U.S. President Donald Trump will go down in history as the great disruptor, having completely shaken up the established...
Oil & Gas
Hit by oil price fall, BP suspends share buybacks
British oil giant BP on February 10 posted a drop in annual profits and suspended share buybacks, seeking to cut costs as the UK...
Minerals, Mining and Rare Earths
U.S. moves to counter Chinese dominance in critical minerals
The United States hosted the first-ever Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department in Washington on February 4, bringing together ministers and senior officials...
Sanctions and related policies
New U.S. Iran sanctions for recent violent repression and corruption
After the reimposition of United Nations “snapback” sanctions on Iran on September 27, 2025, in connection with unfulfilled Iranian nuclear program control and inspection...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
Why the EU–India trade deal marks a strategic turning point
The Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore once said that you cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. The importance...
Energy
UK and Europe sign historic pact to boost North Sea wind energy
In an era of changing geopolitical landscape, high energy costs and severe impact of climate change, the United Kingdom and European allies signed on...
Global Economy
Davos 2026 — threats, climbdowns and false constructs
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (#WEF26) convened nearly 3,000 leaders from government, business, civil society and academia under the theme...
Environment
Kazakhstan announces constitutional reform, addresses water security challenges
At a moment of global uncertainty, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced a comprehensive package of political, constitutional and economic reforms, including abolishing the...
Global Energy Supplies
Venezuelan, Iranian oil disruptions unlikely to redefine oil market trajectory
The recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and the volatile situation in Iran as the government cracks down on demonstrations currently appear to have limited...
The Negroni Diaries
Another Trump Iran pronouncement – tariff details to follow
In typical Trump style, U.S. President Donald Trump’s January 12 announcement of stiff new tariffs on Iran’s trading partners was devoid of almost all...
Op-Eds & Guest Contributors
EU-Mercosur: a positive step away from the folly of isolationism
It is often said that pursuing protectionism is just like locking one's self in a dark room: wind and rain might be kept out,...
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