Search - Trans-Pacific Partnership

Unlocking the Power of Potash in the Horn of Africa

AssessmentsJan 7, 2020 | 10:30 GMT

Lava rises to the top inside Erta Ale volcano in the Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian volcano is home to the world's oldest continuously active lava lake, known as the "Gateway To Hell."

Regional peace and economic reforms are opening up Ethiopia's and Eritrea's untapped reserves of the in-demand fertilizer additive, potash. Turning that promise into profit, however, will mean defusing lingering threats to the region's stability.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Eritrea

Ethiopia

East African Integration

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

Annual ForecastsJan 6, 2020 | 00:01 GMT

2020 Annual Forecast

A tepid global economy, continued trade uncertainty and the impending U.S. presidential election will shape the direction of world events in 2020.

AssessmentsJan 3, 2020 | 10:00 GMT

This May 24, 2019, photograph shows garment workers making men's suits in a factory in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In Vietnam, Clouds Gather on the Horizon

The challenges of potential political infighting at home and balancing between the great powers abroad could blemish Vietnam's outstanding economic progress in the year to come.

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Vietnam

China in Transition

An Anxious Russia Tries to Pull Belarus Closer

AssessmentsDec 24, 2019 | 10:30 GMT

People gather for a rally against Belarus' closer integration with Russia in Minsk's Oktyabrskaya Square on Dec. 20, 2019.

If Russia overplays its hand, Belarus could instead mover toward the West, setting the stage for a potential geopolitical showdown in Minsk.

Belarus

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Echoes of the Cold War

SITUATION REPORTDec 10, 2019 | 18:23 GMT

India, Japan: Officials Meet to Discuss Bilateral Trade Issues

Japanese Trade Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama met Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Dec. 10 to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including New Delhi's strategy to balance its trade deficit with Japan, as well as enhanced market access for Indian goods and services, Xinhua reported.

Japan

India

A Japanese Awakening

Is China Effectively Reforming Its Biotechnology Laws?

Contributor PerspectivesDec 6, 2019 | 11:00 GMT

This Dec. 26, 2018, photo shows a researcher working in a Beijing Genomics Institute laboratory in Kunming, China.

Beijing has made a point of publicizing legal changes since a Chinese scientist claimed to have genetically engineered twins last year, but it's not clear how effective the reforms will be without a full accounting of the scandal.

Japan: Upper House Approves U.S. Trade Deal

SITUATION REPORTDec 4, 2019 | 16:46 GMT

Japan's upper house has approved a bilateral trade deal with the United States, paving the way for the accord to go into effect in early 2020, The Straits Times reported Dec. 4.

Vietnam: National Assembly Approves Law to Allow Independent Trade Unions

Japan

A Japanese Awakening

SITUATION REPORTNov 22, 2019 | 15:23 GMT

Vietnam's National Assembly has approved a revised labor code that allows the formation of independent trade unions at the local level, Reuters reported Nov. 22.

Vietnam

Taiwan, Japan: Taipei Seeks Tokyo's Help in Joining Pacific Trade Pact

SITUATION REPORTNov 15, 2019 | 21:29 GMT

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has called on Japan to smooth Taipei's admission to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Kyodo News reported Nov. 14.

Japan

Taiwan

A Japanese Awakening

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

On SecurityNov 12, 2019 | 09:00 GMT

The U.S. District Court of the Western District of Washington is pictured in Seattle on Nov. 8, 2019.

Lessons Learned From a Saudi Spy Case at Twitter

Riyadh's recruitment of insiders at Twitter to spy on dissidents proves corporations have to do a whole lot more than keep their cybersecurity up to date in thwarting hostile actors.

The Saudi Survival Strategy

Saudi Arabia

Security

Cybersecurity

Contributor PerspectivesNov 6, 2019 | 18:30 GMT

John Cena (L) competes with Triple H during the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Greatest Royal Rumble event in Jeddah on April 27.

The Sports World Wrestles With the Khashoggi Scandal

The controversy surrounding the journalist's death is complicating Saudi Arabia's foray into hosting global sporting events.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Survival Strategy

SITUATION REPORTNov 5, 2019 | 16:49 GMT

India: Opposition INC to Hold Nationwide Protests

The Indian National Congress (INC), the country's main opposition party, is planning nationwide protests from Nov. 5-15 to voice its dissatisfaction with India's cooling economic growth, unemployment and the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement, The Indian Express reported Nov. 5.

India

India Opts Out of the Chinese-Backed RCEP Deal -- For Now

SnapshotsNov 4, 2019 | 21:53 GMT

New Delhi's rejection of the deal's proposed terms won't keep China from pushing ahead with the massive Asian trade agreement, with or without India.

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

India

China in Transition

The Weekly Rundown: ASEAN Summit, U.K. Sets an Election and Seeking an Exit From Afghanistan

GuidanceNov 2, 2019 | 13:00 GMT

Farmers in Amritsar, India, rally against the government's participation in talks to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership on Oct. 3, 2019.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

SITUATION REPORTOct 30, 2019 | 16:49 GMT

Brazil: Saudi Arabia Informally Invites Brazil to Join OPEC, Bolsonaro Says

Saudi Arabia has informally invited Brazil to join the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Reuters reported Oct. 30.

Partner PerspectivesOct 28, 2019 | 10:00 GMT

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, and Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, sign documents boosting military ties in Moscow on Sept. 4, 2019.

Are Russia and China the Entente Cordiale of the 21st Century?

Beijing and Moscow have been enjoying burgeoning military ties in recent years, which could culminate in a new military alliance.

Russia Expands Its Game Plan in Africa

AssessmentsOct 24, 2019 | 17:22 GMT

While the Africa summit in Sochi could yield more pragmatic arms and infrastructure agreements, Moscow's tight budget will limit its ability to woo African countries with money alone.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Old Leaders in a New Africa

Russia's Internal Struggle

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

On GeopoliticsOct 24, 2019 | 09:00 GMT

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (in front of flag) sit during a meeting in Sochi to discuss the situation in Syria.

The Risks and Rewards of Moscow's Mission in Syria

Pretty much everything in Syria has gone Moscow's way. Events on the horizon, though, suggest that won't always be the case.

U.S.: Trump Reportedly Considering Leaving 200 Troops in Eastern Syria to Protect Oil Fields

Syria

The Syrian Civil War

Echoes of the Cold War

SITUATION REPORTOct 21, 2019 | 12:43 GMT

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering leaving a small force of roughly 200 U.S. troops in eastern Syria to protect oil fields in the area against the Islamic State and the Syrian government, The New York Times reported Oct. 20.