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Politics

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People for the first day of their two-day summit, where the two had a public banquet and a two-and-a-half-hour, closed-door meeting, according to state news outlet Xinhua on May 14.

China, U.S.: Trump and Xi Talk Trade and Managed Competition

U.S.-China Relations

Turkey

Kazakhstan

Russia

Military & Security

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a declaration on eternal friendship and expanded strategic partnership during Erdogan's state visit to Kazakhstan, Qazinform reported on May 14. 

Kazakhstan, Turkey: Drone Deal Gives Ankara Larger Defense Role in Central Asia

Iran

Iraq

Energy

Iraqi officials are seeking financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund to offset the economic toll of the Iran war, Reuters reported on May 14.

Iraq: Officials Seek IMF Support To Offset Economic Impact of Iran War

India

India increased import duties on gold and silver from 6% to 15%, adding a 10% basic customs tariff and a 5% agriculture infrastructure and development levy, Reuters reported on May 13.

India: New Delhi Raises Gold and Silver Import Tariffs

Environment, Science & Technology

Cove Kaz Capital, a U.S. citical minerals company linked to two of U.S. President Donald Trump's sons through its planned merger with Skyline Builders, asked the U.S. Defense Department's Office of Strategic Capital for an additional $400 million to develop the Northern Katpar and Upper Kairakty tungsten projects in Kazakhstan, the Financial Times reported on May 12.

Kazakhstan, U.S.: Kazakhstan Tungsten Project Seeks More U.S. Backing

Russia's economy ministry revised down its 2026-29 forecasts for oil and gas production, crude exports and economic growth, Reuters reported on May 12.

Russia: Moscow Cuts Oil and Gas Forecasts as War Economy Faces Narrower Fiscal Room

Mali

More than a dozen road transport companies have suspended services to Bamako as insecurity intensifies amid a partial blockade imposed by the al Qaeda Sahel affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, Jeune Afrique reported on May 12.

Mali: Road Transport Companies Suspend Operations as JNIM Blockade Deepens Supply Disruptions in Bamako

Taiwan

As U.S. President Donald Trump landed in China, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held roughly three hours of trade talks in South Korea aimed at preparing the summit agenda between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14-15, with topics including tariffs, semiconductors, rare earths, agriculture, aerospace, energy and the Iran conflict, Reuters reported on May 13. 

China, U.S.: Summit Prep Points to Limited Trade Accommodations, Taiwan Friction

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

The Fate of the Eurozone

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

Banking

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Social Issues

European Disintegration

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

A Japanese Awakening

East African Integration

Assessments

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Afghanistan

Pakistan

Afghan protesters burn a Pakistani flag during a demonstration in Helmand Province in 2016.

Gains from the Afghan Taliban's growing regional ties will be hindered by enduring disputes, logistical constraints, infrastructure security risks, and Pakistan's possible absence from future multilateral engagements.

How the Afghan-Pakistani Conflict Is Redrawing Regional Relations

Snapshots

United Kingdom

U.K. Health Secretary Wes Streeting arrives at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, on March 19, 2026, as students receive the Meningitis B vaccine.

While a leadership transition would prolong market volatility, any new prime minister would likely maintain policy continuity and fiscal discipline, differing only on the specific execution of budget restraint and EU rapprochement.

Starmer's Days Appear Numbered After U.K. Health Secretary Quits

Israel

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Commercial vessels are seen offshore in Dubai on March 11, 2026.

While recent revelations about the airstrikes indicate a shift in both countries' risk calculations, the UAE's hawkish, Israel-aligned posture poses a greater threat of Iranian retaliation than Saudi Arabia's more restrained approach. 

The UAE and Saudi Arabia Enter the War Against Iran, but With Separate Strategies

A digital illustration of the Turkish flag.

Continued high inflation, political uncertainty and bureaucratic hurdles will likely limit the overall effectiveness of the reforms, which come ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Turkey Pursues Tax Reforms Amid Economic Fallout From the Iran War

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

The May 14-15 meetings will likely yield a limited extension of the current U.S.-China economic detente while leaving core strategic disputes over technology controls, Taiwan and Iran largely unresolved.

Trump-Xi Summit Likely To Preserve Trade Truce, Test Strategic Fault Lines

Qatar

Part of the gas processing facilities of Europe's first helium production pilot plant in Saint-Parize-le-Chatel, France, on Sept. 11, 2024.

Qatar's halt of helium production due to the Iran war risks causing shortages that disrupt key manufacturing industries, particularly in Asia.

How the Iran War is Choking the World's Helium Flow

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Trucks haul away ore from a pit in the Chinese-owned Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, 2023.

Greater access to Congo's mining sector will likely help the U.S. further secure its cobalt and copper supplies, but ongoing security concerns in the Central African country and China's dominance over global mineral processing will limit the extent of these gains.

Trump Goes Hunting For Congo's Minerals

Algeria

Spain

Italy

A worker stands on the uploading dock of Cavaou LNG terminal in Fos-sur-Mer, France, on June 22, 2023, while the tanker boat "Lalla Fatma N'Soumer" arrives full of LNG ready to be delivered. 

Amid energy supply disruptions in the Middle East, Algeria's ability to capitalize on increased global prices and demand for energy exports will be constrained by limited spare capacity and bureaucratic obstacles.

Structural Constraints Will Limit Algeria's Ability To Capitalize on Tighter Energy Markets

Brazil

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

If Flavio Bolsonaro wins in October, his right-wing administration would largely abandon Brazil's environmental and climate commitments, accelerate extractive investments and projects, and pursue strong geopolitical alignment with Washington.

The Balance Between Environmental and Extractive Policies in Brazil's Presidential Election, Part 2

If President Lula wins reelection in October, his administration would continue balancing the promotion of green initiatives with the expansion of mining and drilling, while retaining strategic neutrality in the U.S.-China competition.

The Balance Between Environmental and Extractive Policies in Brazil's Presidential Election, Part 1

An oil tanker is seen docked in the southeastern Iranian coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, in February 2019.

Chabahar is poised to transition from an ambitious commercial venture to a symbolic strategic asset, as India seeks to maintain long-term access and regional influence until sanctions conditions become clearer.

Expired U.S. Sanctions Waiver Threatens India's Chabahar Port Project in Iran

A Chinese vessel participates in oil exploration.

While China has so far fared well, persistent Strait of Hormuz disruptions would test its oil reserves and drive more defensive policies to secure growth, energy and export competitiveness.

Time Will Test China's Economic Resilience Against Iran War Shocks

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

China, U.S.: Trump and Xi Talk Trade and Managed Competition

Kazakhstan, Turkey: Drone Deal Gives Ankara Larger Defense Role in Central Asia

Iraq: Officials Seek IMF Support To Offset Economic Impact of Iran War

India: New Delhi Raises Gold and Silver Import Tariffs

Kazakhstan, U.S.: Kazakhstan Tungsten Project Seeks More U.S. Backing

Russia: Moscow Cuts Oil and Gas Forecasts as War Economy Faces Narrower Fiscal Room

Mali: Road Transport Companies Suspend Operations as JNIM Blockade Deepens Supply Disruptions in Bamako

China, U.S.: Summit Prep Points to Limited Trade Accommodations, Taiwan Friction

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