Latest Articles about Economics

Ukraine Seeks to Reshape Economy Through Reform Agenda
Executive Summary: Russia has sought to destroy the Ukrainian economy during its war, leading Kyiv to seek significant funding to repair the economy. Ukraine is actively seeking financial aid from international sources and has a long list of reforms to implement to ensure this much-needed... MORE

Open-Source Technology and PRC National Strategy: Part II
Executive Summary: OpenHarmony, an open-source version of Huawei’s HarmonyOS, is widely used in critical infrastructure (such as the energy grid and ports), public security, and the military in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Some of these are projects that support the PRC’s military-civil fusion... MORE

Multipolar Mirage: The PRC’s Pivot to Europe
Executive Summary: The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) is looking to promote an “equal and orderly multipolar world.” Part of this entails encouraging strategic autonomy for European nations and the creation of a “non-American West” which is more amenable to PRC interests. High-level diplomatic engagements... MORE

Georgia Stands at Crossroads Between Autocratic Russia and Democratic West
Executive Summary: Georgia, by changing its geopolitical vector in favor of Russia, risks losing not only the West's political and economic support but also Western investment. The Georgian Dream government is considering Chinese investment and the “dirty money” of Russian oligarchs as alternatives to Western... MORE

New Russian Defense Minister’s Tasks Extend Beyond Ukraine
Executive Summary: Russian propagandists believe that new Minister of Defense Andrei Belousov’s ultimate loyalty to Putin and absence of corruption scandals puts him in a prime position to accomplish the tasks set before him. Putin’s move to reorganize his cabinet demonstrates a shift in the... MORE

Grain Becoming Russia’s Tacit Weapon in Confrontation With the West
Executive Summary: Moscow is pushing for BRICS to collaborate more actively in the grain trade to undermine the West’s ability to influence critical decisions, such as suppliers of grain. The strategy continues to target Ukraine, one of the world’s leading grain exporters, and seeks to... MORE

Increased Reliance on Russia and Commitments to China Driving Uzbekistan’s Gas Imports
Executive Summary: Uzbekistan has been dealing with severe energy shortages over the past few years due to issues in gas production and a transition to using more imported gas for energy needs. Tashkent has signed major agreements with Ashgabat and Moscow for gas imports, in... MORE

Putin’s Turn to East Boosts Demand for Chinese Language Expertise and Fears of China
Executive Summary: Booming demand for Russians who know Chinese, a product of Putin’s turn to the East, is exacerbating long-standing fears that Moscow will lose control over lands east of the Urals. The flight of Russians from the vast and underpopulated region, combined with the... MORE

Serbia Bolsters Connections With Russia and China
Executive Summary: Serbia’s new government is bolstering its connections with Russia through the appointment of Kremlin-linked ministers. Belgrade is also expanding its economic and media links with China following the visit of Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping. The Aleksandar Vučić administration continues to... MORE

Graphene Among New Materials Intended to Unlock New Productive Forces
Executive Summary: Graphene is one of the most promising candidates to boost the new materials sector, which has been the focus of high-level strategic planning in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for some time. The material’s unique properties make it suitable for applications in... MORE