China

Myanmar

Thailand

Vietnam

Bangladesh

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

Politics

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, leading to widespread destruction and killing at least 25 people, including at least three across the border in Thailand, with the death count still rising, The New York Times reported on March 28.

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

United States

As widely anticipated, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission voted to end its legal defense of SEC rules adopted in 2024 requiring SEC-regulated companies to disclose climate-related risks and greenhouse gas emissions, Reuters reported on March 27. 

U.S.: SEC Votes To End Defense of Climate Disclosure Rules

The United States may place tariffs on copper imports within "several weeks," months ahead of the tariff decision deadline, Bloomberg reported on March 26.

U.S.: Washington Could Announce Copper Tariffs Within Weeks

Energy

A North Dakota jury found environmental protection group Greenpeace liable for defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy and other acts over protests in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access Pipeline, ordering Greenpeace to pay more than $600 million in damages to pipeline developer Energy Transfer, AP reported on March 19.

U.S.: Greenpeace Ordered To Pay $660M in Damages Over Dakota Access Pipeline Defamation Case

South Africa

Europe

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union would provide a 4.7 billion euro ($5.1 billion) funding package for South Africa's healthcare sector, Just Energy Transition Partnership projects, and connectivity and transport corridors, Daily Maverick reported on March 13. 

South Africa: EU Announces $5B Package, Start of Negotiations for Trade Partnership  

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans on March 12 to roll back Biden- and Obama-era environmental regulations in what he called the biggest deregulation day in U.S. history.

U.S.: EPA Unveils Action Plan To Roll Back Environmental Regulations

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, or ICBC, the world's largest lender by assets and one of China's "Big Five" state-owned banks, launched an 80 billion yuan ($11 billion) fund to support innovation in "hard technology" -- e.g. advanced manufacturing and chips -- via equity investment, Reuters reported on March 12.

China: Hard Tech Push Yields ICBC Innovation Fund, With More Banks To Follow

Indonesia

Singapore

Vietnam upgraded ties with Indonesia and Singapore to comprehensive strategic partnerships, Indonesia's and Vietnam's top designation short of an alliance and a label of similar importance to Singapore, Nikkei Asia reported on March 12. 

Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam: Diplomatic Upgrades Strengthen Industry and Trade Ties

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

Technology

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Agriculture

COVID-19

Supply Chains

Cyber

_Energy

Environmental Issues

Globalization

The 4th Industrial Revolution

Assessments

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Social Issues

Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Global Elections

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

A photo of the U.S. Capitol overlaid with a pixilated blue and red pattern.

The United States will continue to prioritize AI innovation over regulation, and the European Union is set to partially reconsider its rules amid a broader push to increase competitiveness. 

The Future of AI Regulation Under the West's New Leadership

Germany

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (left) and the party's secretary general, Carsten Linnemann, hold a post-election press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 24, 2025. 

Germany's new government will likely be more stable than its predecessor, enabling the CDU/CSU to pursue economic stimulus and a more assertive foreign policy.

German Election Results Position the Center-Right To Retake the Helm

While wars over water remain rare, its unequal distribution, growing demand and climate change-driven stress will increasingly shape global challenges and geopolitical tensions in the decades to come.

The Geopolitics of Water: Conclusion

The Geopolitics of Water

While government reforms will help catalyze much-needed investments in water infrastructure, these are unlikely to rapidly resolve the country's water supply challenges, which threaten to undermine South Africa's economic growth amid more frequent droughts. 

The Geopolitics of Water: The Cascading Effects of South African Underinvestment in Water Infrastructure

India

Pakistan

South Asia's rising demand for water resources will exacerbate disputes over key waterways, particularly the Brahmaputra and Indus rivers.

The Geopolitics of Water: Regional Rivals Compete for South Asia's Rivers

Canada

Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it during an indoor inauguration parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C, on Jan. 20, 2025.

While some will face legal challenges, Trump's initial orders on immigration, trade, energy and climate issues lay the groundwork for his ambitious agenda.

What To Make of Trump's Day 1 Executive Orders

Brazil

Changes in rainfall patterns and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change will increasingly challenge Brazil's crop production, causing unrest.

The Geopolitics of Water: The Impact of Climate Change on Brazil's Agribusiness

Ethiopia

Egypt

In the coming decade, water scarcity will likely contribute to the erosion of Egypt's economic and political independence, including its ability to act unilaterally against other countries vying for water along the Nile basin.

The Geopolitics of Water: The Threat to Egypt's Independence

Media

Podcasts

What is Salt Typhoon, and what happened in the recent hack against U.S. telecommunications companies? 

Essential Geopolitics: Unpacking China's Salt Typhoon Operation

Iran

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Syria

Turkey

North Korea

Ukraine

Russia

As 2025 approaches, we look back at the previous year and consider the top five events as measured by geopolitical impact.

2024: A Geopolitical Review

Water utilities are uniquely vulnerable to cyberattacks due to frequent financial and security limitations, exposing water-stressed countries to threats from hacktivists and foreign adversaries.

 The Geopolitics of Water: Cyberattacks' Impact on Water Stress in the U.S. and Beyond

Environment, Science & Technology

SITUATION REPORTS

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

U.S.: SEC Votes To End Defense of Climate Disclosure Rules

U.S.: Washington Could Announce Copper Tariffs Within Weeks

U.S.: Greenpeace Ordered To Pay $660M in Damages Over Dakota Access Pipeline Defamation Case

South Africa: EU Announces $5B Package, Start of Negotiations for Trade Partnership

U.S.: EPA Unveils Action Plan To Roll Back Environmental Regulations

China: Hard Tech Push Yields ICBC Innovation Fund, With More Banks To Follow

Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam: Diplomatic Upgrades Strengthen Industry and Trade Ties

Forecasts

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