Our Insights
Featured Posts Selected by Our Experts
-
![]()
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.
-
![]()
Trade is No Longer a Way of Opening Up Markets
With Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
-
![]()
Making Acquisitions in the Public Affairs Sector: Lessons from Both Sides of the Table
By Leigh Wedell, President and COO
-
![]()
From the Middle Kingdom to the Saudi Kingdom: Opportunities Abound
By Yasser Elnaggar, Chair of the Middle East and Africa
Explore all of our Insights, Interviews, Commentary, and More
Media Type
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.
Saudi Arabia's Opportunity to Lead the Way in Global Biodiversity Protection
Saudi Arabia is rediscovering its natural assets. From the coral reefs of the Red Sea to the sweeping dunes of the Empty Quarter, the Kingdom is home to an impressive array of ecosystems and biodiversity. With this renewed focus on its natural heritage comes an unparalleled opportunity: to emerge as a global leader in protecting and valuing nature.
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.
Expert Take | What Trump 2.0 Means for the Middle East and Africa
Donald Trump’s second term may differ from his first in terms of domestic and global priorities, but for the Middle East, expectations of meaningful change in U.S. policy remain low. A return to the “maximum pressure” strategy on Iran is anticipated, targeting the country’s regional influence through stringent sanctions designed to cripple its economy. During his first term, these sanctions significantly reduced Iran’s oil exports and drove inflation higher, but they failed to achieve regime change or a new nuclear deal. Many analysts predict similar outcomes this time around.
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 | 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 | From Beijing to the Bosphorus: New Opportunities in China - Türkiye Trade
Türkiye-China economic relations continue to strengthen as Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek wrapped up a visit to Beijing on November 8. There he had a series of high-level meetings with China’s government and financial leadership, including Vice President Han Zheng, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, and leaders from ICBC, Bank of China, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).