Our Insights
Featured Posts Selected by Our Experts
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China Economic Stimulus Tracker
The China Economic Stimulus Tracker provides a comprehensive timeline of announcements and policy actions implemented by the Chinese government to stimulate economic activity.
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Trade is No Longer a Way of Opening Up Markets
With Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
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Making Acquisitions in the Public Affairs Sector: Lessons from Both Sides of the Table
By Leigh Wedell, President and COO
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From the Middle Kingdom to the Saudi Kingdom: Opportunities Abound
By Yasser Elnaggar, Chair of the Middle East and Africa
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Talking Points | The Arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor, Political Shockwaves, and Economic Fallout in Türkiye
On March 19, 2025, Turkish authorities detained Ekrem İmamoğlu, the opposition mayor of Istanbul, on charges of corruption and alleged links to terrorist organizations. The arrest comes days before he was expected to run for president and a day after Istanbul University annulled his diploma, citing irregularities in his academic record—a move his supporters denounce as politically motivated and which rendered him ineligible to run for office under Turkish law. The move triggered protests across Türkiye, with opposition leaders calling it an attempt to suppress political competition.
Talking Points | Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions, Strategic Alliances, and the Evolving Regional Tech Landscape
Saudi Arabia’s LEAP 2025 conference announced $14.9 billion in technology investments, marking a significant push toward advancing the Kingdom’s AI and digital infrastructure. While these investments align with Riyadh’s Vision 2030, their emphasis on AI, cloud computing, data centers, and semiconductors signals a deeper strategic shift. Saudi Arabia is not merely acquiring technology—it is positioning itself as a regional powerhouse in digital infrastructure.
Talking Points | Beyond The Conflict, The Gaza Reconstruction Plan and Its Global Impact
Following the destruction in Gaza, two competing visions for its future emerged. The Trump administration initially proposed placing Gaza under U.S. control, forcibly relocating its Palestinian residents, and transforming the area into a luxury destination. Framed as a long-term solution, this plan was widely condemned as a violation of international law, dismissing Palestinian sovereignty and ignoring regional security complexities.
Talking Points | Key Takeaways from China’s Two Sessions
China’s Two Sessions are underway – their annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and adjacent Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress (CPPCC). The sessions do not usually break news, that’s usually done in the major Party meetings, but they do underscore the strategy and provide some notable updates.
Talking Points | Driving Digital Transformation: Saudi Arabia's Giant LEAP
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a comprehensive strategy to diversify its economy and solidify its position as a global technology and innovation hub. A cornerstone of this vision is the development of a world-class digital infrastructure to support both public and private sector transformation. Key investments are being made in AI, cloud computing, smart cities, and cybersecurity.
Talking Points | Foundations for the Future: Saudi Arabia’s Infrastructure Leap
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its infrastructure transformation with an ambitious vision for the future. In 2024, the Kingdom allocated $17.3 billion to infrastructure development, with spending projected to rise to $21.3 billion by 2025. Central to this transformation are monumental projects that aim to redefine urban development, transportation, and sustainability.
Talking Points | What Lifting Sanctions Could Mean for Syria’s Recovery
Syria’s prewar economy was a regional hub for trade, energy, and agriculture which accounted for 25% of the GDP which exceeded $60 billion in 2010. Historically, the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Arab world made it a center for merchant trade, particularly through its bustling markets in Aleppo and Damascus. Textiles, food products, and pharmaceuticals were key exports, while trade routes facilitated the flow of goods across the Middle East.
Talking Points | Protecting Heritage through Partnership: Why U.S. Antiquities CPAs are Essential for At-Risk Nations
In a world where cultural artifacts can be plundered from archaeological sites, whisked away across borders, and then laundered onto the black market within just days or even hours, nations need robust, collaborative strategies to fight back. The United States has taken a step toward addressing this problem by signing cultural property agreements (CPAs) with countries threatened by the illicit antiquities trade.
Talking Points | Syria’s New Cabinet: A Free-Market Vision Amid Uncertainty
Syria’s interim government, formed after the collapse of the Assad regime, has announced plans to transition to a free-market economy. Led by Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir and backed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the administration is dismantling decades of state-controlled trade practices.
Talking Points | The Overnight Collapse of the Assad Regime: A New Era for Syria and the Middle East
The unexpected and rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has reshaped the Middle East overnight. Rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), advanced from their stronghold in Idlib, capturing Aleppo, Hama, and Homs before isolating Damascus. Within 12 days, Syria’s capital fell, signaling the end of over five decades of Assad family rule. Bashar al-Assad, who had been in power since 2000, reportedly fled Damascus early Sunday, leaving a power vacuum that is both historic and precarious.