The phrase “play the ball and not the man” originally comes from sports. It means aiming for the ball rather than attacking the player. In broader use, it refers to focusing on the issue instead of the individual. In foreign policy, this principle means: Concentrating on real policy direction and concrete actions Avoiding emotional reactions to strong personalities or dramatic language Ignoring noise and focusing on measurable evidence Modern global politics

The dependency ratio impact on industries has moved from a long-term concern to an immediate strategic issue. In 2026, demographic change is reshaping labor markets, consumer behavior, capital investment, and government policy at the same time. As the balance between working-age people and dependents shifts, industries face tighter labor supply, changing demand patterns, and rising fiscal pressure. These effects are not isolated. They cut across healthcare, construction, r

Latin America enters 2026 in a position that is neither fragile nor booming. Growth remains modest, public finances are stretched, and political uncertainty continues to shape investor sentiment. Yet this cycle is unfolding differently from previous slowdowns. One important undercurrent is the strong re-engagement of the United States in the Western Hemisphere. Trade discussions, investment initiatives, and diplomatic attention have increased, creating incentives for refor

The capture of Venezuela’s long-time leader and the visible expansion of US military activity in the Caribbean mark a clear shift in US foreign policy toward Latin America. After years of relative disengagement, Washington is once again signaling that Central and South America matter strategically, economically, and politically. Much of the public debate has focused on legality, sovereignty, and fears of renewed interventionism. These concerns are understandable. However,

China’s decision to step back from directly financing Pakistan’s Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project marks a quiet but important shift in how large infrastructure projects are being funded in South Asia. For years, ML-1 was presented as the flagship transport project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), symbolizing deep strategic and economic ties between Beijing and Islamabad. Today, that picture looks very different. With China no longer willing to act as th

By 2025, sovereign AI has moved from a niche policy debate to a central pillar of Europe’s economic and geopolitical strategy. Artificial intelligence is no longer just another digital technology. It is fast becoming a form of national infrastructure, shaping productivity growth, public services, industrial competitiveness and national security. For Europe, the stakes are particularly high. The continent faces slow productivity growth, rising geopolitical risk, and deep re

The key drivers of economic growth in 2026 will be shaped by technology, smarter policy choices, resilient consumers, and a global economy adjusting to years of disruption. While growth slowed during the early 2020s, new opportunities are emerging as countries invest in artificial intelligence, rebuild supply chains, and shift toward cleaner energy systems. Many economists agree that the year ahead could mark a turning point, with several major economies moving toward stronge

As every country becomes more digital, leaders are asking a big question: What data center capacity should a nation have per capita? This question matters because data centers now power almost everything—AI tools, online government services, digital payments, cloud storage, gaming, and even national security systems. The right amount of capacity is essential for economic growth, digital competitiveness, and the rollout of AI-driven services. There is no universal target fo

The ROI for datacenters has become one of the most important questions in today’s technology economy. As AI, cloud computing, and digital services expand at record speed, datacenters now sit at the heart of global infrastructure. These massive facilities power everything from email and video calls to high-performance AI models like ChatGPT. Because of this demand, investors, tech leaders, and governments are asking the same thing: What returns can datacenters actually deliver

Sydney is in the midst of a major transformation, with a host of large-scale infrastructure projects under way that will reshape how people live, work and move around. These infrastructure projects Sydney are critical not only for moving people and freight, but for sustaining population growth, boosting economic productivity and enhancing the liveability of Australia’s largest city. In this article we will review the top ten infrastructure projects Sydney currently drivin

In our interconnected world, a country’s image matters more than ever. A strong national brand is not just a slogan on a flag or a campaign poster — it’s a living reputation built from what a nation does, not just what it says. When a government aligns its actions with messages of trust, innovation and inclusion, it can unlock a powerful asset: credibility on the world stage. This article explores how to develop a compelling country-level national brand. We will draw lesso

Public finance management (PFM) sits at the core of effective governance. It determines how governments plan, allocate, and monitor resources — and how they deliver results for citizens. Yet, across many administrations, financial decisions are still based on partial or delayed information. As governments move towards digital transformation, the smarter use of data in public finance management has become essential. When properly collected and applied, data allows governmen

When I first started reading about artificial intelligence in finance, I’ll be honest — I felt nervous. The more I understood what AI could do, the more unsettled I became. I’ve been in finance for years. I’ve spent countless hours building models, analysing data, and writing reports. But suddenly, I was seeing headlines about AI systems that could automate half of what I did for a living. I remember sitting at my desk late one night and thinking, “If AI can do my job fast

In today’s fast-moving business world, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how finance teams work. Across financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, and corporate finance, professionals are debating whether AI will replace jobs, change skill requirements, or simply transform the way finance operates. Some people fear that tools like ChatGPT or other AI systems might make certain finance roles obsolete. Others believe AI will make finance professi

The impact of AI on the Philippines call centre industry is one of the biggest shifts facing the country’s economy today. Since overtaking India in 2010 as the world’s leading call centre capital, the Philippines has relied heavily on its thriving business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. With 1.3 to 1.8 million people employed and contributing over US$30 billion a year, call centres have become a lifeline for Filipino workers and a cornerstone of national growth. However

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the world, but its impact on India’s services industry will be especially significant. For decades, India’s IT giants thrived on a business model built around scale, skilled human labour, and cost efficiency. Today, however, that model is under strain as automation and AI-driven platforms rapidly change how technology services are delivered. For India’s $263 billion IT services sector (FY25 estimate, excluding

India’s Mega Projects Driving the Future India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, is undergoing one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in modern history. From record-breaking renewable energy parks to state-of-the-art expressways, industrial corridors, and bullet trains, the country is creating an economic backbone to support its vision of becoming a developed nation under Mission 2047. These India mega projects are not simply about building roads, br

Why IoT is Changing Everything The Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the most important digital technologies shaping our world today. It refers to the growing network of physical devices connected to the internet, collecting and exchanging data. These devices range from smartwatches and fridges to factory machines and traffic sensors. IoT is helping businesses, cities, farms, and homes become smarter, faster, and more efficient. In this article, we explore the

A New Era of Innovation Leadership South Korea has transformed from a war-torn, resource-poor country into one of the most advanced and innovative economies in the world. Its global leadership in sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and consumer electronics is no accident. It's the result of strategic planning, targeted investment in research and development (R&D), and a growing ecosystem of startups and global collaborations. This article e

Building for the Future Starts with a Clear Plan Strong, sustainable infrastructure doesn't happen by accident. It starts with smart planning, reliable forecasting, and well-structured investment pathways. One of the most powerful tools governments and industries can use for this is the infrastructure pipeline. Infrastructure pipelines provide a long-term view of upcoming projects, helping governments, investors, and industry to plan ahead, allocate resources effectively,