Japan

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near the city of Kumamoto on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu at roughly 4:28 p.m. local time on July 28, prompting air and high-speed rail transport suspensions and chipmaker Tokyo Electron to suspend local factory operations for safety checks.

Japan: Earthquake Shows Industrial Policy Risks, High Stakes for Takaichi

Sub-Saharan Africa

China

Chinese investment announcements in Africa under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative rose to $33.5 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of more than 250% when compared to the first half of 2025, Semafort reported on July 27 based on a July 26 report from the University of Queensland's Asia Pacific Center for Industry Transitions and the China-based Green Finance & Development Center.

Africa: Chinese Investments in Africa More Than Triple in First Half of 2026, Report Finds

United States

Middle East and North Africa

Iran

Oman

Military & Security

On July 28, a Reuters source said Oman had convinced Gulf Arab states to agree to a proposal for a voluntary tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz to resolve the current impasse with Iran, although neither the Gulf Arab states nor Iran confirmed that such an idea was viable.

Iran, U.S.: As Calm Persists, Oman Pitches Voluntary Hormuz Toll

U.S.-Iran Relations

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin told outgoing State Duma lawmakers that Russia would achieve its objectives in Ukraine and "do everything for victory," TASS reported on July 27.

Russia, Ukraine: Putin's Victory Pledge Raises Postelection Manpower Expansion Risk

Argentina

Brazil

The Brazilian government recalled its ambassador to Argentina for consultations and summoned Argentina's ambassador to Brasilia after far-right Argentine President Javier Milei insulted leftist Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, g1 reported on July 26.

Argentina, Brazil: Milei's Participation in Bolsonaro's Campaign Launch Sparks Diplomatic Crisis

Philippines

Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine government fisheries vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, marking the second consecutive day of such actions there and third China-Philippines South China Sea confrontation in five days, Reuters reported on July 24.

China, Philippines, U.S.: Maritime Escalation Pushes South China Sea Dispute Onto Trump-Xi Agenda

U.S.-China Relations

Europe

The United States imposed tariffs on 60 trading partners of 10% and 12.5% following a Section 301 investigation into forced-labor imports, applying the lower rate reserved for countries with forced-labor bans to the European Union, Reuters reported on July 24.

EU, U.S.: New U.S. Section 301 Tariffs Keep EU Duties Within Agreed Ceiling

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer took final action on July 23 to move forward with 10% and 12.5% tariffs on 60 economies under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act over their alleged failure to effectively prohibit imports of goods produced with forced labor.

U.S.: Forced Labor Tariffs Announced as Other Tariffs Expire

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.

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

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

Iraq

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (2nd-L) in the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2026.

While the Iraqi prime minister's visit to the White House yielded some deals, implementation constraints will likely eventually lead to renewed U.S. economic pressure, further straining Baghdad's finances.

New U.S. Agreements Unlikely to Ease Iraq's Economic Woes

Snapshots

Chile

Chilean lawmakers in Congress celebrate at the end of the voting session on the economic reform bill on July 21, 2026.

Chile is poised to soon enact one of its broadest economic reform packages in decades, which will likely boost investor confidence and regulatory certainty, but at the expense of rising fiscal pressures.

What To Expect as Chile Prepares to Enact Sweeping Economic Reform Bill

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Yemen

Yemeni protesters take part in a demonstration held to send a message of defiance against the continued siege and any military escalation involving Saudi forces against Houthi-controlled northern Yemen on July 17. 

Energy

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Forced to bypass the disrupted Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia's increased reliance on alternative routes leaves its critical oil shipments vulnerable to Houthi attacks.


Yemen's Houthis Threaten Saudi Oil Exports With Red Sea Blockade

United Kingdom

India

A giant Indian flag is displayed from the country's embassy in London on May 7, 2025.

While the agreement will support both countries' economic diversification efforts, U.K. regulatory standards and supply chain challenges will limit some gains for India.

What To Expect as the India-U.K. Trade Deal Enters Force

A decorative plate featuring an image of Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen behind a statue of late communist leader Mao Zedong at a souvenir store next to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on Feb. 27, 2018. 

China will remain a geopolitical enigma to the West as Beijing turns inward to insulate the CCP from the influence of external powers, an exercise that history suggests will threaten national prosperity and regime stability.

The Modern Geopolitics of China

Germany

France

Spain

Italy

A 20 euro note.

The European Union is likely to advance banking reforms in 2027 that reduce internal barriers to cross-border banking, boosting its financial competitiveness by freeing up funds tied up in savings, but will stop short of significantly greater fiscal and financial risk sharing.

Brussels Seeks To Boost the EU Banking Sector's Competitiveness

Vietnam

A large container ship is seen docked at a port. 

Though interim measures or narrower agreements are plausible, Vietnam's dependence on Chinese inputs will likely prevent a comprehensive agreement, potentially exposing it to stricter U.S. scrutiny and new tariffs.

Vietnam's Reliance on Chinese Imports Complicates U.S. Trade Talks

Bolivia

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Peru

Venezuela

Pilgrims with flags from different countries gather at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 23, 2013, as they wait for the official opening of the Catholic Church's World Youth Day, which will be celebrated with a holy Mass. 

As many South American countries embrace right-leaning governments, their policies will increasingly align with those of the U.S. Trump administration, opening them to increased security cooperation, although economic integration remains unlikely.

What South America's Rightward Political Shift Means for U.S. Relations

The U.S. and Indian flags adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 20, 2023.

While the ban could prompt the U.S. to lower its proposed Section 301 tariff on India from 12.5% to 10%, unresolved concerns over manufacturing overcapacity will sustain the risk of broader, sector-specific tariffs.

India Imposes Forced Labor Import Ban to Reduce U.S. Tariff Exposure

Media

Podcasts

Which Sub-Saharan countries face the highest risk of protests and unrest in the coming months?

The Decision Advantage: The Outlook for Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cars stand in line for gasoline at a Lukoil gas station on July 8, 2026, outside of Moscow, Russia.

Russia will retain the ability to produce and export most of its oil, but sustained Ukrainian strikes will erode its refining capacity, exacerbate domestic fuel shortages and raise the risk of deeper production cuts.

Ukrainian Strikes Deepen Russia's Fuel Refining Crisis

Andy Burnham delivers a speech on June 29, 2026, in Manchester, England. 

As prime minister, Andy Burnham will likely maintain continuity on fiscal, foreign and defense policies within tight budget and market constraints, along with an incremental approach to EU relations.

Previewing Burnham's Premiership in the U.K.

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Japan: Earthquake Shows Industrial Policy Risks, High Stakes for Takaichi

Africa: Chinese Investments in Africa More Than Triple in First Half of 2026, Report Finds

Iran, U.S.: As Calm Persists, Oman Pitches Voluntary Hormuz Toll

Russia, Ukraine: Putin's Victory Pledge Raises Postelection Manpower Expansion Risk

Argentina, Brazil: Milei's Participation in Bolsonaro's Campaign Launch Sparks Diplomatic Crisis

China, Philippines, U.S.: Maritime Escalation Pushes South China Sea Dispute Onto Trump-Xi Agenda

EU, U.S.: New U.S. Section 301 Tariffs Keep EU Duties Within Agreed Ceiling

U.S.: Forced Labor Tariffs Announced as Other Tariffs Expire

Forecasts

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