econimics & energy – Page 3 – think tanks monitor

A group of people in industrial gear and hard hats attending a briefing in Venezuela.

Where Did Venezuela’s Oil Money Go? Washington Won’t Say

June 6, 2026

This analysis investigates the opaque financial architecture managing Venezuela’s oil exports following the US intervention in early 2026. Despite billions in revenue and renewed trade partnerships, key questions remain regarding fund transparency and the lack of progress toward democratic reforms. The post explores how the current arrangement maintains the previous governing apparatus, highlights the role of international commodity traders, and underscores the growing congressional demand for an audit to ensure accountability in the administration’s handling of Venezuelan resources.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaking at a podium with Turkish and Israeli flags in the background.

The Iran War Is Handing Turkey a Regional Opportunity It Did Not Ask For

June 6, 2026

The aftermath of the US-Iran conflict has unexpectedly positioned Turkey as a central player in regional security and trade. By leveraging its growing defense industry and anchoring vital alternative trade corridors like the Iraq Development Road, Ankara is capitalizing on Gulf states’ desires for strategic autonomy. This post analyzes how Turkey’s diplomatic maneuvering and new regional alignments, including the emerging Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi-Egypt quartet, are reshaping the Middle Eastern economic and geopolitical landscape.

Close-up of a person's hands counting United States dollar banknotes.

The Dollar Is Dying and The World Is Renegotiating Its Price

June 3, 2026

This analysis explores the structural and psychological erosion of the U.S. dollar’s role as the foundation of global finance. With U.S. federal debt exceeding critical thresholds and interest payments increasingly consuming the federal budget, the traditional framing of a “strong dollar” is facing unprecedented political scrutiny. We examine the tensions within Washington as policymakers weigh the benefits of currency depreciation to boost domestic manufacturing against the risk of alienating foreign creditors. This report details the global response—from diversified central bank reserves to the rise of non-dollar trade—and assesses whether the dollar can maintain its status as the world’s risk-free asset in a new era of managed currency competition.

A wide view of a G20 summit conference hall featuring flags and representatives from various nations.

The Case for a Third Economic Pole Without the US or China

June 3, 2026

This analysis examines the recent Chatham House report, Saving global economic governance from the ‘Trump shock’, which advocates for the creation of a “third economic pole” in the global financial system. As the U.S. and China increasingly weaponize economic policy and dismantle multilateral institutions, the report argues that market-oriented middle powers must move beyond ad-hoc “variable geometry” coalitions. By establishing a standing alliance between the European Union and the 12 CPTPP member states, these nations could create a stable, rules-based trade bloc large enough to maintain economic openness and resilience independently of the two competing hegemons.

Crowd waving Iranian flags at a public gathering during a geopolitical event.

Iran Is Not Trying to End This War — It Is Trying to Win the Peace

June 2, 2026

This analysis explores Iran’s strategic shift from a policy of survival to one of active conflict management. By examining the consolidation of hard-line domestic power, the effective weaponization of global energy markets through the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the cynical use of negotiations as a tactical delay, we assess how Tehran is positioning itself as a dominant pole in a new, multipolar regional order—regardless of the devastating domestic economic costs.

European Union flags flying outside the European Commission building in Brussels.

EU’s Chinese Tech Purge Is Costly, Contradictory, and Politically Driven

June 1, 2026

This analysis evaluates the European Commission’s 2026 Cybersecurity Act revisions, which aim to exclude high-risk third-country suppliers from critical networks. We explore the tension between Brussels’ pursuit of digital sovereignty and the economic realities of replacing deeply embedded Chinese technology. By questioning the shift toward origin-based blacklisting rather than universal security auditing, we assess the potential for retaliatory trade measures and long-term instability in EU-China relations.

A composite image featuring a military figure, a port facility, and a newspaper front page highlighting US-Iran diplomacy.

Pakistan Iran Corridor Defies US Sanctions Pressure

May 27, 2026

This report explores how Pakistan has utilized its strategic position to activate overland trade routes with Iran, bypassing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. We analyze how Islamabad is balancing its relationship with Washington while securing domestic economic interests, asserting itself as a vital node in emerging Eurasian trade networks.

European political leaders walking and conversing during a diplomatic meeting regarding maritime navigation.

Western Leaders Are Losing the Public

May 26, 2026

This report analyzes the deepening crisis of legitimacy facing leaders across the G7 nations in May 2026. By examining the collapse in approval ratings for figures such as Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Donald Trump, the article explores the common threads of public dissatisfaction—specifically the erosion of the social contract driven by persistent inflation, stagnant growth, and unaffordable living costs. With local election results in Britain signaling a major fragmentation of the traditional two-party system and similar trends emerging elsewhere, the piece evaluates whether these record-low ratings represent a temporary protest or a fundamental unraveling of the post-war political consensus.

PEPFAR’s New Terms: Minerals, Data, and Diminishing Aid

May 26, 2026

This analysis examines the shift in U.S. global health strategy, specifically focusing on the new bilateral “America First” agreements being negotiated across Africa. By detailing how essential health assistance—including HIV and malaria treatment—is now being leveraged for critical mineral access and sensitive health data, the report explores the far-reaching consequences for African public health systems. It argues that this strategic pivot not only threatens to dismantle decades of progress in disease control but also marginalizes regional health institutions, ultimately transforming humanitarian aid into a tool for geopolitical competition and corporate resource acquisition.

Miniature figures standing on puzzle pieces representing the flags of China and the European Union.

Europe’s China Trade War Temptation Is a Trap of Its Own Making

May 26, 2026

This analysis explores the intensifying debate within the European Union regarding its trade policy toward China. With a 2025 trade deficit of €359.8 billion serving as a focal point, the article examines the push by a five-nation coalition—led by France and others—for more aggressive protectionist measures. By contrasting these calls for tariffs with warnings from experts like Rolf Langhammer about structural competitiveness, the report assesses whether Brussels is prioritizing genuine industrial strategy or simply reacting to competitive panic. The piece further contextualizes the EU’s internal challenges, such as high energy costs and fragmented regulation, arguing that trade barriers may fail to address the root causes of Europe’s weakening industrial position.

A Nobel Laureate speaking about the impact of artificial intelligence on human thinking.

A Nobel Laureate Asks: Will AI Make Us Stop Thinking?

May 25, 2026

This analysis explores Nobel laureate Ryoji Noyori’s concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on human cognition and scientific inquiry. By contrasting the rapid, enterprise-driven pace of AI-led breakthroughs with the slow, deliberate nature of basic research, the article examines the “intellectual passivity” risks identified by Noyori. Furthermore, it provides an overview of China’s recent 15th Five-Year Plan, contextualizing Noyori’s argument that fostering a robust, collaborative global scientific ecosystem is essential to solving humanity’s most complex, long-term challenges.

Donald Trump and an Iranian official superimposed over American and Iranian flags.

US-Iran Talks Are Failing And Both Sides Know It

May 23, 2026

This analysis examines the current collapse of US-Iran diplomatic efforts following the February 2026 outbreak of hostilities. By exploring the non-negotiable demands presented by Washington and Tehran’s defiant response, the article highlights the strategic impasse currently defining the conflict, including the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the precarious nature of the shaky, ongoing ceasefire.

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Category: econimics & energy

Where Did Venezuela’s Oil Money Go? Washington Won’t Say

The Iran War Is Handing Turkey a Regional Opportunity It Did Not Ask For

The Dollar Is Dying and The World Is Renegotiating Its Price

The Case for a Third Economic Pole Without the US or China

Iran Is Not Trying to End This War — It Is Trying to Win the Peace

EU’s Chinese Tech Purge Is Costly, Contradictory, and Politically Driven

Pakistan Iran Corridor Defies US Sanctions Pressure

PEPFAR’s New Terms: Minerals, Data, and Diminishing Aid

Europe’s China Trade War Temptation Is a Trap of Its Own Making

US-Iran Talks Are Failing And Both Sides Know It

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