Opinion | More than just hot air: ‘spy balloon’ shows Beijing is in a retaliatory mood
The incident is just one recent example of Beijing testing Washington’s ‘guardrails’, with Xi also reportedly planning a trip to Moscow. After a number of affronts by the US, including a new chip embargo and a deal with the Philippines to access military bases near Taiwan, China is showing it is capable of turning tough.
Macroscope | US won’t be so easily supplanted by Europe and China in stock markets
A rally in European and emerging market shares is fuelling speculation that the US’ decade-long stock market dominance is drawing to an end. But whether such a prediction comes to pass depends on how far the US dollar and global energy prices continue to fall.
A rally in European and emerging market shares is fuelling speculation that the US’ decade-long stock market dominance is drawing to an end. But whether such a prediction comes to pass depends on how far the US dollar and global energy prices continue to fall.
Opinion | West’s arming of Ukraine threatens to fuel endless cycle of violence
The possibility that weapons earmarked for Ukraine could be diverted and wind up on the black market in the hands of criminals and terrorists cannot be ignored. The international community must find a way to end the conflict before things spiral out of control.
The possibility that weapons earmarked for Ukraine could be diverted and wind up on the black market in the hands of criminals and terrorists cannot be ignored. The international community must find a way to end the conflict before things spiral out of control.
Inside Out | Even ‘least-worst’ scenario in Ukraine is disastrous for the global economy
Business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum appear to have been buoyed by the possibility of a Ukrainian victory in 2023. Yet, however welcome such an outcome, it wouldn’t reverse the damage already inflicted on Ukraine, Europe and the world, recovery from which could still take years.
Business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum appear to have been buoyed by the possibility of a Ukrainian victory in 2023. Yet, however welcome such an outcome, it wouldn’t reverse the damage already inflicted on Ukraine, Europe and the world, recovery from which could still take years.
Opinion | How climate change is helping to drive the rise of Germany’s far right
The effects of climate change are pushing more people to leave Africa and the Middle East for the wealthier, more temperate climes of Europe. Governments must look to ease costs in key sectors such as housing, energy and heathcare to reduce the far-right’s appeal amid the influx of migrants.
The effects of climate change are pushing more people to leave Africa and the Middle East for the wealthier, more temperate climes of Europe. Governments must look to ease costs in key sectors such as housing, energy and heathcare to reduce the far-right’s appeal amid the influx of migrants.
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Opinion | Davos elite are fooling no one with their ‘everything is fine’ message
The cheerful mood at the World Economic Forum is at odds with a world mired in war, inflation, US-China tensions and recession fears. Business leaders should have been demanding an end to the conflicts and competition ailing the global economy; instead they sought to downplay them.
Opinion | The West must finally start listening to the Rest
Western thinkers have themselves long warned that the US-led West cannot thrive on the belief that it speaks for the whole world. The war in Ukraine has underscored the West’s failure both to bring the East under its control and to convince the South to support its messaging.
Western thinkers have themselves long warned that the US-led West cannot thrive on the belief that it speaks for the whole world. The war in Ukraine has underscored the West’s failure both to bring the East under its control and to convince the South to support its messaging.
Opinion | US trade war with China is causing a rift with Europe
Europe is pushing back against US demands for it to stop selling semiconductor technology to China. Brussels’ insistence on setting its own trade terms with China is good news for Beijing – even if EU-China tensions persist elsewhere.
Europe is pushing back against US demands for it to stop selling semiconductor technology to China. Brussels’ insistence on setting its own trade terms with China is good news for Beijing – even if EU-China tensions persist elsewhere.
Opinion | Europe must forge strategic independence from the US to ensure its survival
If the European Union wants to be a viable actor in this emerging world order and not merely an appendage of one of the two superpowers, it must be able to protect itself instead of relying on outside help for its security.
If the European Union wants to be a viable actor in this emerging world order and not merely an appendage of one of the two superpowers, it must be able to protect itself instead of relying on outside help for its security.
Opinion | Why the global democratic alliance is nothing more than a Western fantasy
The West likes to argue that market capitalism and political liberalism go hand in hand; in reality, the former has proved far more powerful than the latter. Having made countries around the world economically interdependent, the West should not expect them to jeopardise their global links by taking political sides.
The West likes to argue that market capitalism and political liberalism go hand in hand; in reality, the former has proved far more powerful than the latter. Having made countries around the world economically interdependent, the West should not expect them to jeopardise their global links by taking political sides.
Inside Out | Meetings: the bane or backbone of company culture?
Pressure to increase productivity and profits is prompting some companies to try and reclaim the millions of hours spent annually stuck in pointless meetings. They may indeed be a pain and a drain, but done right, meetings can also serve as an arena for participation and learning, as well as a fair bit of drama.
Pressure to increase productivity and profits is prompting some companies to try and reclaim the millions of hours spent annually stuck in pointless meetings. They may indeed be a pain and a drain, but done right, meetings can also serve as an arena for participation and learning, as well as a fair bit of drama.
Reflections | Russia-Ukraine war seem long? China’s longest dragged on for 300 years
Russia invaded Ukraine 11 months ago. That’s a blink of an eye when you consider the Hundred Years’ War, The Crusades, or China’s 289-year war with northern nomads.
Russia invaded Ukraine 11 months ago. That’s a blink of an eye when you consider the Hundred Years’ War, The Crusades, or China’s 289-year war with northern nomads.
Macroscope | Sustained slower growth may be a reality, but high inflation can be tamed
War and the pandemic left most countries facing high inflation and low growth in 2022. Yet while there is always the risk of further shocks, stagflation need not become a long-term problem, provided monetary authorities maintain restrictive policies.
War and the pandemic left most countries facing high inflation and low growth in 2022. Yet while there is always the risk of further shocks, stagflation need not become a long-term problem, provided monetary authorities maintain restrictive policies.
The View | Ukraine’s economic recovery will be worth the cost for Europe
When the war finally ends, Ukraine must begin the much longer and costlier process of reconstruction, and for that it will need the help of its European neighbours. Yet as was proved when the US helped to rehabilitate Europe after WWII, economic support strengthens regional stability, without which peace would be fleeting.
When the war finally ends, Ukraine must begin the much longer and costlier process of reconstruction, and for that it will need the help of its European neighbours. Yet as was proved when the US helped to rehabilitate Europe after WWII, economic support strengthens regional stability, without which peace would be fleeting.
Opinion | Despite soaring inflation, UK supermarkets seem cheap compared to Hong Kong
UK food prices are rising at a staggering rate, but do not seem so bad to someone used to the cost of an expat lifestyle in Hong Kong, with many supermarket staples cheap in comparison.
UK food prices are rising at a staggering rate, but do not seem so bad to someone used to the cost of an expat lifestyle in Hong Kong, with many supermarket staples cheap in comparison.
Outside In | COP27: so far, so blah as rich nations dodge climate bill, funding pledges
Critics say the campaign to prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels has largely failed. Carbon schemes, meanwhile, are criticised for lacking integrity, as rich nations continue to quibble over compensation for loss and damage.
Critics say the campaign to prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels has largely failed. Carbon schemes, meanwhile, are criticised for lacking integrity, as rich nations continue to quibble over compensation for loss and damage.
Opinion | Ukraine war is teaching world hard lessons about weaponised interdependence
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the events that followed have revived discussions on increased dependence on adversarial nations. Whether in the developed West or the Global South, countries are asking hard questions about the kind of globalisation practised in the past two decades.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the events that followed have revived discussions on increased dependence on adversarial nations. Whether in the developed West or the Global South, countries are asking hard questions about the kind of globalisation practised in the past two decades.
Opinion | Biden’s national security strategy highlights paradox of US-China relations
China-US collaboration in research and innovation will be critical to addressing climate change, pandemics and other challenges that no country can handle alone. It is difficult to square the national security strategy’s avowed commitment to global cooperation on shared threats with its overriding emphasis on geopolitical competition, particularly with China.
China-US collaboration in research and innovation will be critical to addressing climate change, pandemics and other challenges that no country can handle alone. It is difficult to square the national security strategy’s avowed commitment to global cooperation on shared threats with its overriding emphasis on geopolitical competition, particularly with China.
The View | Multilateral development banks can lead battle against economic turbulence
Multilateral development banks are uniquely placed to mobilise public and private money to tackle the economic factors stunting growth and sustainable development, helping drive capital towards projects that address the economic impact of climate change or lack of digital infrastructure across emerging economies.
Multilateral development banks are uniquely placed to mobilise public and private money to tackle the economic factors stunting growth and sustainable development, helping drive capital towards projects that address the economic impact of climate change or lack of digital infrastructure across emerging economies.
Macroscope | World is waking up to how development banks can fund social good
Calls are growing for MDBs to expand their financing and play a bigger role in funding global challenges, from climate change to infrastructure renewal.
Calls are growing for MDBs to expand their financing and play a bigger role in funding global challenges, from climate change to infrastructure renewal.
