Economics and trade

Long-running border disputes between Ethiopia and Sudan are intersecting with other internal conflicts, bringing greater militarization and economic instability.

Explaining the UN cybercrime treaty, its potential benefits and risks, key issues in the negotiations, and likely paths forward.

What are China’s objectives in Africa, how valid is the concept of ‘debt trap’ diplomacy, and what are China’s military ambitions in the region?

How should societies rethink their cities to meet future challenges and make urban life better for all?

Examining what is on the agenda for COP27, a critical test of whether the international process can respond to the increasing climate crisis.

Gareth Price examines the key factors contributing to the food crisis in Southeast Asia.

James Nixey, director of the Russia and Eurasia programme at Chatham House, explores whether sanctions have been effective in deterring Russia.

Short animation explaining a new investor framework specifically for understanding the risks and returns of nature-based investments.

Explaining the history, purpose, and political background to the Eurasian Economic Union.

Exploring the definition of kleptocracy, the motivations behind it, why it flourishes in certain societies, and its global impact.

Ahmed Soliman examines the challenges the new president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faces in his first 100 days as president.

Aanu Adeoye outlines how the invasion of Ukraine is affecting perceptions of Russia across the Africa region.

Explaining the likely reasons behind India’s abstention from various procedural votes relating to the Ukraine conflict.

Examining the short-term and medium-term economic impact of the Ukraine invasion on the Middle East region, especially in oil production.

Marianne Schneider-Petsinger explains how Russia may try to use cryptocurrencies and its ‘digital rouble’ to evade international sanctions.

The Common Futures Conversations community share strategies for accelerating the adoption of renewable energy around the world.

Richard King and Dr Helen Harwatt explain how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the UK’s interactions with the global food system.

Short animation showing the impact of normalizing trade relations between the Syrian regime and Arab countries both on the regime and Syrian households.

A short animation explaining the crucial role that the private sector can play in protecting and defending civic space.

Short animation examining how, within the next decade, climate change will increasingly disrupt lives with climate hazards such as droughts, flooding and wildfires striking harder and more often.

This short video explainer outlines how, within the current decade, climate hazards are expected to have increasingly serious disruptive impacts.

What is meant by deglobalization, what does it mean for efforts to address global challenges, and are there any benefits to having a less globalized world?

Explaining China’s motives for the BRI, perception of the initiative internationally, and how the Belt and Road may evolve in the future.

What is meant by circular economy, how does it differ from the current linear model, and why is it an important part of climate action?

James Nixey and Annette Bohr explain why the belief that the Western countries should normalize their relations with Russia in order to counter the rise of China is wrong.

Sand from fragile rivers, beaches, and the sea floor is mined to meet vast demand for construction material, resulting in major environment and social impact.

Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will set or renew the UK’s trade terms with 11 trading partners in just one negotiation, but its significance goes beyond strict trade interests.

Digital cryptocurrencies are rising up the financial policy agenda as tech innovators seek to capitalize on their technological expertise and data from billions of users.

Outlining key issues raised by the UK government’s plan to reduce its commitment to spend 0.7 percent of gross national income on overseas assistance each year.

Marianne Schneider-Petsinger explains the three key functions of the WTO and the current challenges facing each of these functions.

Backing down in the face of Russian threats is the worst option. The UK should join France in using strategic ambiguity.

During his trip to Europe Xi could find it hard to address the damage wrought by COVID-19 and Beijing’s stance on Ukraine. But he may exploit existing tensions with Washington.

The $300 billion of immobilized assets can only partly address the cost of Ukraine’s survival and reconstruction. There should be no qualms about confiscating it.

The G7 must weigh the benefits of confiscation against potentially large but uncertain costs.

Tanzania’s rising economic influence and its ambitions for major cross-border infrastructure projects demand a more proactive approach to foreign policy. The policy review currently under way is a chance for the country to reach its potential as a regional leader and reliable global partner.

The government will need to be clearer on how the spending increase will be funded and where the UK will direct its focus.

Conventional, publicly capitalized financial instruments are the only way to mobilize private finance on a very large scale.

For Western governments, India’s status as the world’s largest democracy is one of the key pillars for engagement with New Delhi, even though India rarely uses democracy promotion as an overt tool of its foreign policy. There is potential, too, for an erosion of India’s democratic credentials to limit the scope for cooperation in particularly sensitive areas, and to raise questions about India’s claim to offer a worldview that is non-Western but not explicitly anti-Western.

While the global economy is showing signs of strong growth, public debt levels in emerging markets are rising at an alarming rate.

Long-running border disputes between Ethiopia and Sudan are intersecting with other internal conflicts, bringing greater militarization and economic instability.

Amid civil war and territorial rivalry on both sides of the Ethiopia–Sudan border, sesame has become central to a conflict economy that perpetuates violence and political instability.

As climate change and the trade of water-intensive goods exacerbate global water scarcity, how can importers of commodity products improve the sustainable use of water at sites of production?

As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, the UK must overcome its capability gaps to boost the alliance’s deterrence power and account for threats like China.

China’s long-term strategy around bases in Africa is unclear, but countries hosting them must also make political calculations.

The UK’s new strategy highlights how clarity of purpose, careful calibration and flexibility can help ensure sanctions regimes are effective.

Co-hosted with Japan House, the event brought together Japanese, UK and Global South stakeholders to discuss how the G7 can find ways to improve understanding with developing countries.

Having a foreign secretary with status that is largely free of domestic political concerns matters, but a lack of strategy matters more.

The Directive’s reduced scope will blunt its impact. But there will be much to learn from its implementation.

France’s proposed bill to slow down fast fashion and set higher standards for environmental supply chain transparency is an important first step in addressing the hidden water crisis in global trade.

An April deadline for a decision to ‘snap back’ US and EU sanctions is approaching. The Biden administration must reimpose some measures – but in careful, calibrated fashion.

But without US leadership, the ability of Ukraine’s European allies to cooperate effectively looks uncertain.

Watch the keynote address at our Energy Transitions Conference 2024 by Claire Coutinho, Secretary of State, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

Egypt’s strategic position in the Middle East, its political importance to the US – and proximity to rich neighbours – has allowed it to secure much-needed financial resources.

Yet again, a WTO ministerial is being criticized for producing little of substance. But the Organization provides an opportunity for powers like the US, China, EU and India to agree pragmatic ways forward.

Watch the keynote address from our 2024 Global Trade conference by The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State, Department for Business and Trade.

However painful previous interventions have been, Haitians cannot be abandoned to the rule of criminal gangs.

This episode discusses transnational links between the movement of people and armed conflict – from Edo State in Nigeria, through Niger, to Libya.

Watch the keynote address from our security and defence conference, delivered by the UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

As it searches for an appropriate global role after Brexit, the UK has the potential to become the centre of gravity for subsea technology.

Failed tests may help the UK improve the reliability of its independent nuclear deterrent. But such events raise concerns about a lack of investment in non-nuclear defences.