International Economic Relations

Brazil and De-dollarization

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

The BRICS alliance has been debating alternatives to dollar-based global transactions for years. This initiative aims to diminish reliance on a singular reserve currency while fortifying financial sovereignty among member states. During the latest BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva intensified this position by advocating for […]

The Lobito Corridor

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

Nacima Kerouad 1. Introduction Africa is a continent full of economic potential. It’s rich in resources, home to the youngest population in the world, and is attracting growing attention from global investors. According to the African Development Bank’s 2025 Macroeconomic Performances and Outlook report, 24 African countries are expected to see real GDP growth above […]

The U.S New Oil Drilling Policies

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced a landmark move that would ban all future offshore oil and natural gas drilling in large parts of U.S. waters. That ban includes the East and West Coasts, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s North Bering Sea, blocking more than 625 million acres of ocean from possible […]

Navigating China after an Election

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

With a snap election happening on February 23, Germany once again finds itself on the crossroads regarding China policy. Unlike in 2021 however, the new government has to face an even bigger set of internal problems ranging from the stagnating economy to security issues. With the Union predicted to once again win back control of […]

A Review of the Two Sessions

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

Ondrej Theodor Krejci Tin Ching Leung In early March 2025, the annual meeting of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CCPPC) took place. Known colloquially as the “Two Sessions”, these meetings are a chance for China watchers to learn about the policy priorities of the Chinese government for the […]

Trump’s Trade War and Its Mixed Impact on Brazil

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

It started with a bang out of Washington, a tariff shockwave that few saw coming and even fewer were ready for. When Donald Trump, back for a second term, unleashed a sweeping 10 percent “base tariff” on all U.S. imports this April, global trade lines buckled. China, the primary target, was hit even harder. Tariffs […]

A Chain of Retaliation

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

China’s Strategic Shift Following Liberation Day The China policy of the US is probably one of the very few fields where the interests of both major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, align. With its economic rise, China worries many in the US that it might take their top position in economics and international […]

Assessing Greenland’s Resources

Octavian-Teodor DragonJuly 26, 20250

“This is about critical minerals. This is about natural resources.” -Michael Waltz, Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor, 8 January 2025 Denmark, a territory under the sovereign control of Denmark, has recently attracted the attention of President Trump, who claims to want the island “one way or another.” It is not the first time the United […]

North American Trade Relations

Eugen BulboacaJuly 26, 20250

The Role of NAFTA and USMCA In his 2016 presidential campaign, one of Donald Trump’s pillars was trade policy. Repeatedly calling the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) “the worst trade deal” became infamous and played a pivotal role in his surprising sweep of Rust Belt states such as Pennsylvania or Wisconsin. As President, Trump […]

The Shadow Network

Eugen BulboacaJuly 26, 20250

How Kazakh and Kyrgyz Firms Facilitate Sanction Circumvention After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US, EU, and their partners imposed extensive sanctions, including a ban on dual-use goods. Sales of these items to Russia declined, but imports and re-exports to Russia by non-sanctioning states like China, Turkey and the Commonwealth of […]

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Octavian-Teodor Dragon

Eugen Bulboaca

Eugen Bulboaca

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