Australia

Economics

Military & Security

On April 16, Australia released its 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, saying defense spending will rise to 3% of gross domestic product by 2033 "under the NATO approach" from its current approximate 2%.

Australia: Canberra To Increase Defense Spending to 3% of GDP by 2033

Europe

Politics

The European Commission is preparing revised merger guidelines that would ease restrictions on corporate consolidation, the Financial Times reported on April 16, citing a draft document.

EU: Brussels To Loosen Merger Rules To Support Scale and Industrial Competitiveness

United States

Iran

Energy

U.S.-Iran talks are progressing, including a potential Iranian offer to partially normalize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by allowing ships to pass through Omani, rather than international, waters without fear of attack or toll, Reuters reported on April 15. 

U.S., Iran: Breakthrough on Strait of Hormuz Is Possible, but Comprehensive Deal Remains Distant

U.S.-Iran Relations

Venezuela

The United States issued two new general licenses allowing financial transactions with some Venezuelan banks and ‌government officials, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on April 13. 

U.S. Venezuela: Washington Issues Licenses for Venezuelan Banks

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Pakistan

Saudi Arabia will extend an additional $3 billion in support to Pakistan to assist with its upcoming debt repayment to the United Arab Emirates, Reuters reported on April 14.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia To Extend $3B in Financial Support to Pakistan

China

Vietnam

Environment, Science & Technology

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam signed cooperation documents covering agriculture, education and railway construction, and China pledged deeper cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital infrastructure and state technology systems, Reuters reported on April 15. 

China, Vietnam: Rail, Digital and Security Deals Deepen Institutional Ties

The United States and Iran reportedly agreed to an "in principle agreement" to extend their two-week ceasefire, which is set to expire on April 22, to provide additional time for diplomacy, AP reported on April 15, citing unnamed regional officials.

U.S., Iran: Regional Negotiators Work To Extend U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Germany

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Germany and Ukraine signed defense cooperation agreements and launched plans for joint drone production during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Berlin, Reuters reported on April 14.

Germany, Ukraine: Berlin and Kyiv Sign Drone and Defense Cooperation Accords

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

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

Armenia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (left) hold talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 1, 2026.

Russia is actively calibrating pressure on Armenia to derail its pro-EU course, as the Iran war temporarily impedes Yerevan's push to reduce its reliance on Russia-linked trade corridors.

Armenia's Push for Autonomy Meets Russian Resistance

IMF officials participate in an economic outlook briefing in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 2026.

The sharp increase in global oil and fertilizer costs will force import-reliant, low-income nations in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa to choose between fiscal discipline and maintaining social stability.

Iran War Price Shocks Will Hit Low-Income Energy Importers Hardest

Nigeria

The Dangote petroleum refinery plant is seen in Lagos, Nigeria, on April 6, 2026.

Nigeria will enjoy a short-term revenue boost from elevated oil prices, but the potential for renewed instability in the Niger Delta could undermine efforts to increase oil production.

Nigeria's Oil Gains From Iran War Face Old Challenges

Columns

On Geopolitics

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Weaponizing raw material exports can provide short-term political leverage, but it often pushes the targeted nations to permanently restructure their trade relationships to reduce dependencies.

The Historical Lessons of Global Commodity Weaponization

Media

Podcasts

An in-depth, forward-looking examination of key risks and trends to watch as the legal, regulatory and compliance landscape continues to evolve.

The Decision Advantage: The Outlook for the Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Landscape

Israel

Lebanon

Yemen

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks as special envoys Jared Kushner (L) and Steve Witkoff listen during a news conference after a meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran on April 12, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

The U.S. blockade may not immediately collapse the ceasefire with Iran, but it will further disrupt maritime shipping and the global economy.

After U.S.-Iran Talks Fail, Washington Moves To Blockade the Strait of Hormuz

Snapshots

Argentina

View of the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate, Santa Cruz province, Argentina, taken on June 8, 2025.

By dismantling uniform national protections in favor of provincial oversight, Argentina aims to stimulate its extractive-export economy but will risk the long-term security of water-dependent sectors and the environment.

Argentina's Revised Glaciers Law Will Unlock Mining Investment, but Risks Environmental Degradation

A satellite view of the Persian Gulf, with the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint seen on the right.

Global Trade

Fears that U.S.-Iran talks will collapse, along with Iran's ongoing efforts to formalize its authority over the strait by imposing transit fees and limiting traffic, will likely keep shippers cautious.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping Likely To Remain Disrupted, Despite Ceasefire

Japan

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi answers questions at a legislative budget committee session in Tokyo on April 7, 2026, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) looks on. 

Japan's ability to sustain increased spending on defense and other strategic investments in the coming years will be constrained by sluggish economic growth, high government debt and a challenging geopolitical landscape.

Reviewing Japan's New Budget: Balancing Spending Hikes and Fiscal Reality

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Geopolitics of Demographics

Demographic decline, driven by falling fertility rates worldwide, is likely irreversible but will also increasingly differentiate countries based on their ability to adapt through sound immigration, labor, technological and fiscal policies.

Adapting to Demographic Decline: Policy Tradeoffs and Global Divergences

Peru

The exterior facade of the Legislative Palace of Peru is seen in Lima.

With a record 35 candidates running in the April 12 race and no clear frontrunner, numerous scenarios remain possible, including a win by an anti-establishment outsider, a mainstream right-wing figure or another leftist.

Peru's Presidential Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Myanmar

Afghanistan

India

Nepal

A freight train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, on Aug. 26, 2025.

New Delhi's decisions to permit specific imports and fast-track minority investments highlight its strategy of addressing critical manufacturing shortages, though relations are unlikely to extend beyond low-level confidence-building measures.

India Cautiously Opens up to Chinese Investment

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Australia: Canberra To Increase Defense Spending to 3% of GDP by 2033

EU: Brussels To Loosen Merger Rules To Support Scale and Industrial Competitiveness

U.S., Iran: Breakthrough on Strait of Hormuz Is Possible, but Comprehensive Deal Remains Distant

U.S. Venezuela: Washington Issues Licenses for Venezuelan Banks

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia To Extend $3B in Financial Support to Pakistan

China, Vietnam: Rail, Digital and Security Deals Deepen Institutional Ties

U.S., Iran: Regional Negotiators Work To Extend U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Germany, Ukraine: Berlin and Kyiv Sign Drone and Defense Cooperation Accords

Forecasts

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