Sectors
Security / Defence
Syria's transition is underway, but challenges abound
The outlines of the new order are taking shape slowly, but the new leadership faces major security and economic hurdles
SyriaColombia-US relations will be tense under Trump
The Colombian president and the US president-elect have little in common ideologically or in terms of policy priorities
ColombiaFinance
Qatar could force a change in EU legislation
QatarEnergy has threatened to stop supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the EU if a new law is implemented
QatarAlgeria will keep defence spending high
Higher revenues since 2022 have enabled Algiers to bring military spending to a level that matches threat perceptions
AlgeriaEnergy
Russia’s Rosatom focuses export drive on Global South
Russia continues to be the world’s largest exporter of nuclear power plants
RussiaQatar could force a change in EU legislation
QatarEnergy has threatened to stop supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the EU if a new law is implemented
QatarManufacturing
US tariff rises will prove counterproductive
President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to raise tariffs will have wide effects on manufacturing activity
InternationalChina’s traditional policy tools are losing efficacy
The Central Economic Work Conference promises looser fiscal and monetary policy to boost GDP growth, jobs and inflation
ChinaInfrastructure
The US will not seize control of the Panama Canal
Trump’s threats towards Panama are characteristically hyperbolic and unlikely to materialise
PanamaNew deal may only partly ease Ethiopia-Somalia tension
Turkey has mediated a new detente between Ethiopia and Somalia, nominally ending a major regional crisis
SomaliaFood / Agribusiness
Russian food production will continue to grow
Although smaller in volume than in 2023, the Russian grain harvest in 2024 was nevertheless impressive
RussiaPoor dairy outlook offsets cereals improvement
The World Food Price Index rose to the highest since April 2023 due to high prices of vegetable oils and dairy products
InternationalTechnology / Media / Telecoms
Singapore’s data centre plans will face obstacles
Despite limited land capacity and energy concerns, Singapore strives to become a leader in the data centre industry
InternationalTikTok’s global troubles will intensify
With a potential US ban on the horizon, TikTok was hit with a one-year ban in Albania
International