Assessments

The future of the US government's main overseas aid agency has been cast into doubt, with employees locked out and the Trump administration planning to merge it with the US Department of State.



What is USAID and why is Trump reportedly poised to close it?

Nepal

Economics

Energy

President Donald Trump has agreed to hold off imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days, pulling the North American neighbo.

assesments : analysis from drupal

Columns

India

Environment, Science & Technology

American tech companies Microsoft and OpenAI are investigating whether a group linked to Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek illicitly obtained data from OpenAI models to train its breakout R1 model, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 28. Microsoft researchers reportedly observed OpenAI account users exfiltrating large amounts of data in late 2024 that they believe may have been used to accelerate the development of DeepSeek's AI model

columns: U.S.: OpenAI Claims DeepSeek Illicitly Accessed Data To Train Model

In the likely case that the United States imposes higher tariffs on the European Union, the bloc will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods while simultaneously pursuing a negotiation with Washington, but this may not be enough to prevent a lengthy trade war.

stag: Gauging the EU's Response to Potential U.S. Tariffs

Assessments are more than just tests—they provide valuable insights into knowledge, skills, and growth. Whether in education, corporate training, or professional certifications, well-designed assessments drive improvement, ensure fair evaluation, and enhance real-world application. Discover how different assessment types can help measure performance and unlock true potential. Read more!

Assessments: Unlocking Potential: The Power of Assessments in Learning and Development

The planned protests highlight rising dissatisfaction with interim authorities fueled by a range of grievances, and they suggest there will be an uptick in disruptive demonstrations and potentially violent clashes in the coming weeks, even if it is currently unclear how large and severe the unrest will likely be. 

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On Geopolitics

United States

Analysis with Global + US tags teaser body.

Analysis with Global + US tags

Global Elections

Angola

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE Cyber Intelligence Analyst Hayley Benedict discusses the threat posed by China's Salt Typhoon hacks. 

Assessments: Unpacking China's Salt Typhoon Operation

Media

Podcasts

Podcasts: Essential Geopolitics: Unpacking China's Salt Typhoon Operation Jan. 07, 2025 | 09:00 GMT

Ukraine

Annual

Forecasts

As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, the combination of limited energy supplies, high inflation and monetary tightening will negatively impact economic growth in the Global North and increase the risk of financial, political and food crises in the Global South. Against this backdrop, the world’s largest economies (most notably the U.S., China and the EU) will seek to shield themselves at a time of rising global uncertainty, leading to increased protectionism and limiting the room for multilateral cooperation on issues ranging from multilateral institutions to climate change. 

Sectioned Content: 2023 Annual Forecast

Brazil's current strong economic growth is unsustainable over the medium term due to continued low savings and investment and increasing uncertainty about the fiscal outlook, which will force the government to take more forceful adjustment measures in the next two to three years.

Assessment: Brazil’s Economic Growth Is Set To Face Headwinds

Latest

Snapshots

Why It Matters: China will remain reliant on goods trade-in programs as its primary form of consumer stimulus, and despite an expansion of the scope of these programs and the scale of overall Chinese stimulus in late 2024, this suggests dragging Chinese consumption will not significantly recover in 2025. Rather, Beijing will continue to focus most of its stimulus efforts on defusing debt risks and bolstering investment, primarily in the form of infrastructure funded by expanded issuances of local government special purpose bonds. Without a major recovery of the real estate and export sectors, consumption will very likely remain weak compared with the five years pre-COVID-19 (2015-2019), when China's annual retail sales growth rate averaged 8%-11%. Real estate sales are expected to stabilize in 2025 after dropping significantly for two years, but rapid expansion is still not expected. Meanwhile, export headwinds will only grow due to Western (especially U.S.) trade restrictions, suggesting a major uptick in export industries (and in related employment) is also not impending.

Staging China: Trade-In Program Unlikely To Revive Consumption in 2025

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The Rwandan-backed rebel group the March 23 Movement on Jan. 21 reportedly captured the town of Minova and the nearby port of Kasunyu in South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, key supply route to the North Kivu capital of Goma, Radio Okapi reported Jan. 21. 

Congo: M23 Rebels Reportedly Seize Eastern Town on Critical Supply Route

Some elements of the new sanctions will come into force in February and March following a wind-down period for transactions. On June 12, 2024, the U.S. Treasury unveiled a large new package of sanctions on Russia over the war with Ukraine, including over 300 new primary sanctions designations. The Treasury also threatened secondary sanctions on financial institutions that interact with any of more than 4,500 Russian entities.

Russia, U.S.: Washington Steps Up Sanctions on Russian Oil Trade

Title of the kothey momo in the backdrop

A move that highlights Nepal’s rich culinary tradition, momo, a steamed dumpling, has been crowned as the national food of Nepal. This decision has sparked joy and celebration across the country, with the public firmly asserting that no survey was necessary to make momo the official symbol of Nepalese cuisine. As one of the most loved and widely consumed foods in Nepal, momo has evolved beyond being just a snack to become an integral part of the nation’s food culture. Its recognition as a national dish not only reflects the food’s deep cultural roots but also showcases the evolving identity of Nepalese gastronomy in the global arena.

Momo crowned as the national food of Nepal, public says no survey required

Military & Security

Politics

Snapshots before update

Notification List Update Article Test teaser body. 

Notification List Update Article Test

They are both similar in that they determine whether it is possible and reasonable to continue testing further, however, there are a couple of key differences between the two.

Sanity testing is a type of software testing that is used to verify that a small change or a bug fix in the software is working as intended and has not caused any unexpected side effects or broken any existing functionality. Interestingly, according to a HackerRank report, the most common bugs found in production were a result of deploying untested or broken code. As a result, sanity testing is crucial to ensure all aspects of the software are checked accordingly.

Snapshot for Geo-Focus role

Burundi

Where does it come from?
Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..", comes from a line in section 1.10.32.

The standard chunk of Lorem Ipsum used since the 1500s is reproduced below for those interested. Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 from "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" by Cicero are also reproduced in their exact original form, accompanied by English versions from the 1914 translation by H. Rackham.

This is the title of the newest article 

Honduras

Core Intelligence Analysis Published: Jan. 24, 2025 LDP's No. 2 calls for consensus on selective surname system LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama said in an interview with Kyodo News that party members should be "cautious" in assessing whethe... Threat IntelligenceGeopolitical IntelligenceCyber Intelligence Analysis Geopolitics Cyber Published: Jan. 24, 2025 Washington To Finalize Tariffs on Chinese Solar Wafers, Polysilicon and Tungsten update The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will finalize a new 25% tariff on imported Chinese tungsten products and double an existing... Threat Intelligence Geopolitical Intelligence  Published: Jan. 24, 2025 Title Staging Now Article UTC Time UTC Time Converter UTC Time Offsets Time Zone Abbreviations UTC Timestamp UTC Time Now 10:14:10 24h 12h am/pm UTC curre... Threat IntelligenceGeopolitical Intelligence Analysis Published: Jan. 24, 2025 New rallies opposition support in Diet to achieve policy goals Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday pledged to build a cross-par 

The latest Column on Geopolitics 

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Jan. 22 that authorities are investigating the possibility that unknown foreign actors are funding the perpetrators behind a spate of recent antisemitic attacks, The Guardian reported. 

STAG: Australia: Unnamed Foreign Actors Implicated in Recent Antisemitic Attacks

The revocation has already received positive reception across the AI industry, as many companies bemoaned the requirement to publicly disclose internal details about their models, claiming it jeopardized trade secrets. While the rollback will likely bolster the pace of U.S. AI advancement,

Reviewing the ASIAN SUMMIT 2030

Equatorial Guinea

Almost nine in ten companies say they’ll disclose extensive carbon-footprint data even beyond what many are required to produce, according to a new study by global consulting firm Workiva. In the US, 86% of respondents in the survey released Tuesday said they plan to voluntarily comply with all or part with Europe’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive even though they don’t have to.




Most Companies Plan to Voluntarily Disclose Climate Rules Data

Iran

Germany

Russia

A compressor gas station of the Yamal–Europe pipeline is seen on Feb. 19, 2022, in Wloclawek, Poland. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The expiration of the Russia-Ukraine transit deal underscores Europe's ongoing efforts to sever its reliance on Russian resources, with far-reaching implications for energy markets and geopolitics in the region and beyond. 

The End of Russian Gas via Ukraine Cements Europe's Energy Landscape

Hong Kong SAR, China

Bhutan

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

Despite Far-Right Gains, Centrists Retain Control of the EU Parliament

Japan

With opposition parties holding a de facto majority in the lower house, if proposed this reform would have a good chance of passing. This new system would empower opposition parties, potentially incentivizing ideologically aligned, smaller opposition parties to join a governing coalition with Ishiba, making his minority government more stable...

Japan: Diet Reform Could Stoke Long-Term Political Instability

U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration was looking to trade continued U.S. military support to Ukraine for "rare earths and other things," the Financial Times reported on Feb. 4.

Ukraine, U.S., Russia: Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals in Return for U.S. Military Support

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “Choose Canada” message came through loud and clear.

What does 'made in Canada' even mean? Here's how to identify truly Canadian products

Science & Technology

Afghanistan

Economics+afghan: Burundi Warns of Regional War as South African Forces Languish, Uganda Deploys Troops

Should not be notified : U.S. and UAE Carry Out Airstrikes Against Islamic State Somalia Province

Government Frees U.S. Prisoners, Agrees To Receive Deportees

Bangladesh

Sitrep: India: Government Presents Union Budget Aimed at Economic Growth

While U.S.-Russia negotiations on the Ukraine war are set to begin soon and may result in a ceasefire, a peace agreement remains unlikely due to challenges surrounding Ukraine's post-war security, increasing the likelihood of further escalation

Assesments: How Will U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Play Out in the Months Ahead?

As we move further into 2025, global economic shifts are increasingly influencing personal finance strategies. With inflation, the rise of remote work, new investment trends, and the growth of the gig economy, individuals are faced with unique challenges and opportunities. In this article, we explore the key economic trends set to impact your finances and offer practical advice on how to adapt. From budgeting to investing, understanding these trends will be crucial for managing your money effectively in the years ahead.

Navigating the Future: How Global Economic Trends Will Shape Your Personal Finances in 2025

Columns: How Will U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Play Out in the Months Ahead?

Sit reps : Economic and south asia - ATO

Somalia

Local security forces will likely be unable to sustain this level of pressure on the Islamic State without external support or additional resources. 

Sitrep: Somalia: Puntland Orchestrates Crackdown on Islamic State

TOKYO
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday pledged to build a cross-party consensus through parliamentary debate as his minority government seeks to ensure sustained pay hikes and regional revitalization as his priority goals.

At the opening of a 150-day Diet session, Ishiba said he wants to transform Japan into a more "sustainable" and "independent" nation, while underscoring the need to monitor the changing global balance of power in an increasingly severe security environment.

Ishiba rallies opposition support in Diet to achieve policy goals

Cyber

Stag: Mozambique: TotalEnergies Confirms Mozambique LNG Will Not Be Operational by 2029

Finland

Sweden

Turkey

Videos

Why is Turkey blocking Finland's and Sweden's accession to NATO?

Essential Geopolitics: Why Turkey Is Blocking NATO From Bringing in Sweden and Finland

Algeria

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

Stratfor Middle East and North Africa Analyst Emily Hawthorne updates the political and economic situation in Algeria.

Essential Geopolitics: An Update on Algeria

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Oct. 21, 2019

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Oct. 14, 2019

In this short video Middle East and North Africa Analyst Ryan Bohl discusses three events to watch for this week.

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Oct. 7, 2019

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Sept. 23, 2019

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Sept. 9, 2019

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's strategic location and natural resources make it of significant interest to external powers, including Russia, China, and the United States.

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Stratfor explains Uzbekistan's struggle to maintain internal unity while balancing against its regional neighbors and external powers.

Uzbekistan's Geographic Challenge

Global Perspectives

Partner Perspectives

global perspective test partner perspectives

Iraq

More than 4,500 American service members have been killed in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in 2003. Security issues and conditions in Iraq will dictate whether U.S. forces will remain and, if so, what will be their size and mission.

The United States does not have attractive options as far as its military presence in Iraq, but it has workable ones to achieve its strategic and security goals.

To Leave or Not to Leave: The U.S. Security Dilemma in Iraq

China

North Korea

Contributor Perspectives

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un faces a stark and narrow choice between denuclearizing or learning to accept China's growing control over his country.

By testing ICBMs and powerful nuclear weapons, the North Korean leader has placed himself in a strategic trap that threatens to leave his country at China's mercy.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un Finds Himself in a Bind of His Own Making

A Chinese effort to build influence in Africa includes a $140 million outlay to construct a new parliament building for Zimbabwe in its capital, Harare.

Infrastructure projects have helped Beijing build influence across the globe.

How Chinese Financing Is Fueling the World’s Megaprojects

Mongolia

Under President Khaltmaa Battulga, Mongolia has been deepening its relationship with Russia.

The East Asian nation is at the geographical nexus of the rivalry among China, Russia and the United States. It faces a difficult task navigating its precarious position.

How Great Power Competition Is Changing the Geopolitics of Mongolia

For Moscow, soft power is more about sowing discord among the Kremlin's enemies than singing Russia's praises.

Rather than trumpet Russia's praises overseas, Moscow's propaganda machine is focused more on undermining the Kremlin's enemies.

Russia Takes a Hard Approach to Soft Power

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the late founder of Kataib Hezbollah, commanded respect in Iraq. His death, more than Qassem Soleimani's in the same attack, soured many Iraqis on the U.S. presence in their country.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis fought Saddam Hussein, engineered attacks on Western embassies and took on the Islamic State. His death in the same strike that killed Iran's Qassem Soleimani increased local hostility to the U.S. presence in Iraq.

Reflections on the Life and Death of an Iraqi Militant

Guatemala

Guatemala is still working out the details of how it will implement a 'safe third country' agreement signed last year with the United States.

The country's new president is likely to use the questions surrounding the implementation of the 'safe third country' agreement to wrest additional support from the U.S.

Why the Details of a White House Asylum Deal Matter to Guatemala

Libya

Turkey is sending troops to Libya not to engage in conflict but to force a cease-fire.

By sending Turkish troops to defend Libya's U.N.-backed government, President Erdogan hopes to force a cease-fire that will protect his country's oil and gas interests in the Mediterranean and burnish his regional reputation.

The Factors Motivating Turkey in Libya

The Libyan Civil War

Turkey's Resurgence

United Kingdom

A photograph of "The Family of Henry VIII: An Allegory of the Tudor Succession," a 16th century painting attributed to Lucas de Heere. Under Henry VIII, England crashed out of a European union created by the Roman Catholic Church.

While there are few obvious historical analogies for the political crisis Britain's scheduled exit from the European Union has precipitated, there is one suggestive parallel -- and it prompts some sobering thoughts.

The U.K. May Find That Getting to Brexit Was the Easy Part

Technological advances have helped increase the number of major oil discoveries, including offshore sites that previously had been unreachable.

Technology has driven a number of recent major energy finds, but discovery does not always mean that production will follow.

Mapped: The World’s Biggest Oil Discoveries Since 1868

Taiwan

France

Greece

Italy

Throughout history, people have been attracted to aspects of cultures that wield hard power.

Whether and how people celebrate Christmas is clearly a complicated affair, bearing only a subtle relationship to Christianity itself. The contemporary, increasingly international version of Christmas is less a religious festival than a celebration of affluence, modernity, and above all Westernness. Without anyone willing it, Christmas has become part of a package of Western soft power.

The Geopolitics of Christmas

Moldova

An illustration of Russian and Moldovan flags.

The near rejection of the vote on EU membership reflects the continued strength of pro-Russian political forces ahead of the country's 2025 parliamentary election.