China Offers Incentives to Taiwan Following Opposition Leader's Visit
China unveiled ten new incentive measures for Taiwan, ranging from relaxed travel restrictions and food‑inspection standards to permissive broadcasting of Taiwanese TV dramas, contingent on opposition to Taiwan independence. The package was announced shortly after KMT chairwoman Cheng Li‑wun met President Xi in Beijing, and includes proposals for regular KMT‑CCP communication and resumption of direct flights. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council dismissed the offers as “poisoned pills,” while the KMT praised them as a gift to the island. The move underscores Beijing's strategy of using economic levers to sway Taiwan's opposition parties amid ongoing political stalemate.
Kenyans Are Encouraged to Work Abroad, but Protection Rights Remain Weak – New Research
Kenya is pushing a new labour‑migration drive toward Gulf states, targeting $10 billion in annual remittances and a million jobs abroad under President William Ruto’s agenda. By 2025 more than 300,000 Kenyans are employed in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United...
South Korea Nears Kazakhstan Oil Deal as Middle East Supply Risks Mount
South Korea is close to finalising a crude‑oil supply agreement with Kazakhstan, a move aimed at reducing its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern imports. The deal follows a high‑level diplomatic tour that also visited Oman and Saudi Arabia amid growing...
Control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s Uranium Stockpiles Were Sticking Points
U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary chief Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met in Islamabad but left without a permanent cease‑fire, citing three core disputes: reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the fate of roughly 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, and the...
FPIs Extend Sell-Off in April; Pull Out Rs 48,213 Crore From Indian Stocks in 10 Days
Foreign portfolio investors pulled $5.14 billion (Rs 48,213 crore) from Indian equities in the first ten days of April, extending a sharp outflow trend that began with a record $12.7 billion exit in March. The cumulative outflows for 2026 now exceed $18 billion, reflecting heightened...
US and Iran Fail to Reach Agreement After Marathon Talks
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and senior Trump officials returned from marathon talks in Pakistan without an agreement, as Iran refused to provide firm assurances it would not pursue a nuclear weapon. The negotiations, the highest‑level U.S.–Iran contact since the...
Doubts About Trump Strain Southeast Asia’s US-China Balancing Act
The 2026 State of Southeast Asia survey shows a sharp decline in confidence toward U.S. leadership under President Trump, with 52% of respondents now favoring China over the United States. Climate change has become the region’s top concern, cited by...
China Unveils Taiwan Goodwill Steps After Opposition Talks
China announced a package of goodwill measures toward Taiwan after President Xi met opposition leader Cheng Li‑wun. The package includes facilitating sales of Taiwanese agricultural and fishery products to the mainland. It also encourages Taiwanese investment in China and plans...
World Finance Chiefs Head to IMF With a Sense of Déjà Vu
Finance ministers and central bankers convene in Washington for the IMF and World Bank spring meetings, where the agenda is dominated by the fallout from President Donald Trump’s war on Iran. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that the conflict will...
World Finance Chiefs Head to IMF With a Sense of Déjà Vu
Finance ministers and central bankers will convene at the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington to gauge the fallout from President Donald Trump’s war on Iran. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that the conflict will force a downgrade...
The Petrodollar Faces Increased Risk, but a Petroyuan Is ‘Far-Fetched’ as Fears of U.S. Losing Superpower Status Are Overhyped, Strategist...
President Trump’s escalating pressure on Iran has revived debate over the petrodollar’s durability, as Tehran maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz and permits a trickle of yuan‑priced shipments. Dan Alamariu, Alpine Macro’s chief geopolitical strategist, cautions against assuming a...
Five African Currencies with the Biggest Declines Amid Middle East War
The United States‑Iran escalation pushed oil prices over 50% higher in late March, sparking a wave of currency weakness across Africa. A joint African Union‑African Development Bank assessment found 29 African currencies depreciated, raising debt‑service costs and import bills. The...
Somalia Eyes Oil Boon but Queries Rise on Ankara’s ‘Unfair’ Deal
Somalia is preparing for its first offshore oil drilling as Turkey’s drilling vessel Çağrı Bey arrives in Mogadishu. The 2023 production‑sharing agreement grants Turkey up to 90% cost recovery and a modest 5% royalty to Somalia, sparking accusations that the deal...
Three Oil Supertankers Sail Through the Strait of Hormuz
Two Chinese supertankers and a Greek vessel sailed through the Strait of Hormuz hours after a fragile US‑Iran ceasefire, marking the busiest day of oil exits since the conflict halted traffic six weeks ago. The three ships together can transport...
The Iran War Is Putting Pressure on Europe
A panel on Washington Week With The Atlantic examined how President Trump’s war in Iran is straining Europe’s economies and diplomatic ties. While NATO allies continue to share intelligence and logistics with the United States, European leaders feel increasingly scapegoated...
Political Instability to Blame for Africa’s Capital Flight, Says Lender Afreximbank
Afreximbank warns that a surge in coups and political unrest across Africa is driving capital flight and eroding investor confidence. Its 2026 African Trade and Economic Outlook notes that foreign direct investment plunged 42% to $28 billion in the first half...
West Asia Tensions Push up Costs for India; Further Impact Hinges on Stability: Report
India’s trade with West Asia totals $220 billion in FY 25, but imports—especially energy—far outpace exports, creating a sizable deficit. Ongoing tensions in the region have already lifted logistics costs and inflation, with the report estimating that each $10 per barrel rise...
Global Funds Flee Indian Stocks at Record Pace on Growth Fears
Global funds have withdrawn $18.84 bn from Indian equities in just over three months, breaking the previous record set in 2025. The outflows are driven by an energy shock from the US‑Iran war and a perception that AI‑linked economies offer stronger...
OPINION: Hungarian Vote Puts EU Unity on the Line
Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary election pits long‑time premier Viktor Orbán against opposition leader Péter Magyar in what the Clingendael Institute calls a make‑or‑break moment for EU‑Hungary relations. The EU has frozen billions of euros (≈$1.2 billion) over rule‑of‑law concerns, while Orbán’s rhetoric...
US Navy Claims China's Submarine Fleet Could Soon Go All-Nuclear
U.S. Navy intelligence says China is shifting its submarine force from diesel‑electric to predominantly nuclear, targeting about 80 subs by 2035 with roughly half nuclear‑powered. The transition is already underway, with production rates now outpacing the United States and new...
Paying Iran in Crypto Could Put Shippers at Sanctions Risk: Chainalysis
Shipping companies that consider paying Iran’s transit fees with cryptocurrency face heightened sanctions exposure, according to Chainalysis senior analyst Kaitlin Martin. Under U.S. and international sanctions, any crypto payment to the Iranian regime could be deemed material support, risking violations....
Charting the Global Economy: War Fuels Inflation, Saps Sentiment
The Iran war has triggered a sharp surge in global fuel prices, pushing U.S. gasoline costs up 21% and sparking the steepest inflation rise in nearly four years. Consumer confidence in the United States and Canada has slumped to record...
Peza Approvals Fell 22% in Q1 on ‘Calibrated’ Investment Pace
PEZA’s approved investment pledges fell 22.77% in Q1 2026, dropping to ₱45.53 billion (≈$828 million) from ₱58.95 billion (≈$1.07 billion) a year earlier. The shortfall leaves the agency at just 15.2% of its ₱300 billion (≈$5.45 billion) 2026 target. Although total value declined, the number of approved...
West Asia Turmoil Priced in; India’s Long-Term Story Intact, Says Sunil Singhania
Sunil Singhania says the West Asia conflict has heightened oil prices and supply‑route worries, feeding volatility into Indian equities. He notes that roughly 90% of the conflict‑related risks are already priced in, leaving a favorable risk‑reward balance. Domestic investors continue...
Can World Bank and IMF Leaders Rescue a Global Economy on the Brink?
The World Bank and IMF will convene their annual meetings in Washington on April 13, amid escalating tensions after the US‑Israel strike on Iran. The conflict threatens global supply chains, especially energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and could dampen...
Thailand Feels Heat as Iran War Sparks Energy Shock
Iran’s war with Israel has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, choking the main oil transit route into Asia. Thailand, heavily reliant on imported crude, is experiencing an acute fuel shortage that is rippling through tourism, farming, street‑food...
How the Gulf Conflict Recast Risks for Asian Investors in Dubai
The six‑week Iran‑UAE conflict has exposed financial and operational vulnerabilities for Asian digital entrepreneurs using Dubai as a launchpad. Drone and missile attacks disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, spiking oil to about $100 a barrel and tightening freight liquidity, while...
China’s Middle East Billions Still Woefully Reliant on US Gunboats
China has pledged roughly US$145 billion in Middle East investments and construction contracts, yet it maintains only a single overseas military base in Djibouti. The region’s energy flow—especially through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 70% of China’s oil imports—remains...
‘Cancelling Orders’ in China: How Hormuz Oil Crisis Is Hitting Transport, Manufacturing
The reopening and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven Brent crude to $100‑$105 a barrel, inflating fuel and petroleum‑based raw material costs for Chinese manufacturers. Higher freight rates—up to four times normal—are prompting firms to delay or...
UAE Pulls US$3.5 Billion From Pakistan After Iran War Mediation
The United Arab Emirates has demanded the repayment of a US$3.5 billion deposit held by Pakistan's central bank, signaling a sharp diplomatic rift after Islamabad helped broker a cease‑fire in the Iran war. The demand comes just days after Pakistan’s mediation...
Big Pharma Is Turning to China for the Newest Drug Ideas
Pfizer is intensifying its search for breakthrough cancer treatments by tapping Chinese biotech. Last summer the company paid $1.25 billion to Shanghai‑based 3SBio for rights to a promising oncology candidate. The move reflects a broader shift as China evolves from a...
Longer-Term Impacts From War Constrain SET
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) experienced extreme volatility in March after Israel and the United States began bombing Iran, triggering a circuit‑breaker when the index dropped 8% on March 4. Oil prices surged nearly 40%, sending diesel to over 50 baht...
Iran Ceasefire Eases Markets, Not Singapore’s Concerns
A cease‑fire in the Iran conflict has steadied global risk assets, but Singapore’s foreign affairs minister warned that the worst‑case energy‑supply shock is not fully priced in. Singapore responded with about S$1 billion (≈ $785 million) of support measures and urged reduced electricity...
Wall Street Strategists Wrestle with War’s Toll on 2026 Outlook
A fragile cease‑fire in the Middle East sparked a brief rally, lifting the S&P 500 3.6% – its strongest jump since November – while emerging‑market equities and Bitcoin surged. Wall Street strategists, however, warn the war has already scarred inflation, energy...
Thai Export Pain Set to Continue Despite Mideast Truce
Thai export growth is expected to stall at 0‑1% this year as the Middle East conflict disrupts supply chains and dampens demand in key markets. The partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian tolls raises shipping costs, while...
Investors Are Gloomy About Inflation and Risk-Taking Ahead of Saturday’s Iran Talks
U.S. equities slipped on Friday as investors grew wary of rising inflation and the upcoming U.S.–Iran talks in Islamabad. The Dow Jones fell 0.6%, the S&P 500 edged down 0.1%, while the Nasdaq rose 0.4% after a week‑long rally. Market sentiment...
Is the US Overlooking Turkmenistan in Its Iran Strategy?
The United States is weighing whether to tap Turkmenistan’s border airfields and logistics hubs as a foothold for operations against Iran amid a tentative cease‑fire. Turkmenistan, the only Central Asian nation sharing a 1,126‑km frontier with Iran, maintains a UN‑recognized...
Chhangani Cited in House of Saud Article on How Iran Avoids US Sanctions and Sell Oil to China
Alisha Chhangani was quoted in a House of Saud analysis describing how Iran circumvents U.S. sanctions to continue oil shipments to China. The piece outlines Tehran's use of covert shipping routes, shell companies, and diplomatic channels to mask the origin...
AC Front Page Event with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga Featured in Reuters Article on Slower Global Growth and...
The Atlantic Council hosted a front‑page event featuring World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, whose remarks were subsequently highlighted in a Reuters piece on the slowdown in global growth. Banga warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is pushing oil prices...
Hedging Security in the Gulf Is Risky
The Gulf states have long pursued a hedging strategy, balancing ties with the United States against the threat posed by Iran. Recent uncertainty over a potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire highlights the fragility of that approach, exposing the region to heightened security...
FDI Inflows Drop to Four-Month Low
Foreign direct investment into the Philippines plunged 39.2% in January, reaching $443 million – the lowest level in four months. All major FDI components posted year‑on‑year declines, with equity and fund shares down 41.1% and reinvested earnings falling 56.6%. Japan topped...
ADB Trims 2026 Philippines Growth Outlook to 4.4 Percent
The Asian Development Bank’s April 2026 outlook lowered its Philippines GDP growth projection to 4.4% for the current year, down from the 5.3% forecast made in December. The downgrade is driven by uncertainty from the Middle East conflict and higher...
Middle East Retail Investing: The WealthTech Opportunity
Retail investing is rapidly gaining momentum across the Middle East, driven by a young, digitally native population and strong economic growth in hubs like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The GCC digital neobrokerage market reached $1.2 bn in 2024, while government...
The Iran War Has Ended a Year of Economic Promise
Before President Donald Trump launched his war on Iran, global financial markets were on an upswing and private‑sector confidence was rebounding, according to the Brookings‑FT TIGER index. The index highlighted solid growth prospects despite lingering trade‑policy volatility and high public...
Cubans Living Abroad Now Hold the Key to Their Country’s Uncertain Future
Cuba announced in March 2026 that it will allow Cuban expatriates, especially those in the United States, to return, invest in the private sector and own businesses. The policy shift follows a deepening economic crisis marked by food, medicine shortages...
Africa Is Losing the Iran War
The Iran‑related war in the Middle East is triggering a cascade of economic shocks across Africa. Fuel prices have jumped about 50% and global fertilizer costs are up more than 40%, straining household budgets and agricultural yields. Simultaneously, African governments...
Finance Titans Bet Mideast Resilience Will Outweigh War Fallout
Wall Street’s biggest banks and private‑equity firms are deepening their Gulf foothold despite Iran’s missile attacks and a two‑week cease‑fire. Blackstone announced a $250 million private‑equity commitment, while Citi’s CEO Jane Fraser reiterated confidence in the region. Goldman Sachs is pursuing...
Investors Increasingly Influenced by Industrial Policy and Technology Prowess, Amid ...
Management consultancy Kearney’s 2026 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index shows that despite heightened geopolitical tension, 88% of surveyed firms intend to raise FDI over the next three years. Industrial policy now ranks as a decisive factor, with 84% of investors...
KMT Echoing Beijing Narrative Could Affect Global Support for Taiwan: MAC
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) warned that Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li‑wun’s recent remarks, which framed cross‑strait relations as an internal Chinese matter, mirror Beijing’s narrative and could erode global backing for Taiwan. Cheng’s call to reject foreign intervention and...
Kenya Leaves Benchmark Lending Rate Unchanged on Inflation Jitters
Kenya’s central bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 8.75% after ten consecutive cuts, citing rising inflation risks from higher global oil prices. Inflation edged up to 4.4% in March, while private‑sector activity contracted, ending a six‑month growth streak....