A new wave of Gulf support for Egypt Egypt’s economy has long relied on international support during times of stress. But in 2024 and 2025, the scale and form of that support shifted dramatically. Gulf states—especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia—have stepped forward not just with loans or aid, but with large, strategic investments. This new approach blends economic opportunity with geopolitical influence. It comes as Egypt faces one of its most ser

Thailand’s economic trajectory, once buoyed by strong regional linkages and a thriving tourism sector, is increasingly being shaped by the evolving situation in China. In the past decade, China has emerged not only as Thailand’s largest trading partner but also as a primary source of investment, tourism, and even migrant labour. However, with China now facing significant economic headwinds—including a real estate crisis, weakening consumer confidence, and tightening capital c

Thailand, long viewed as a stable economic performer in Southeast Asia, is now confronting a murkier and more uncertain future. While short-term indicators may sometimes hint at resilience, the broader outlook for the country's economy in the medium to long term is far less encouraging. From persistent structural weaknesses to escalating global trade tensions, multiple pressures are converging to create an increasingly complex economic environment for Thailand. This article

Film and television have the unique ability to bring places to life, shaping the way audiences around the world see destinations. Locations featured in popular films can become tourism hotspots overnight. More than just a temporary surge, these sites often experience long-term benefits that extend to branding, marketing, employment, and infrastructure. From sweeping landscapes captured on screen to quaint towns turned famous by a single scene, film tourism can be a powerf

Navigating a trade war requires a careful strategy In today’s volatile global trade environment, managing tariffs is not just a cost-control exercise—it’s a strategic imperative. A structured, forward-looking approach can help businesses turn compliance challenges into opportunities for competitive advantage. The following ten approaches could provide a practical roadmap for navigating and mitigating tariff risks.

Nepal finds itself at a crossroads—struggling to move forward while weighed down by economic fragility, political instability, and deep-rooted corruption. What might appear on the surface as a nation hampered by suspended foreign aid and slow infrastructure progress is in fact a complex crisis touching every corner of public life. While the dream of progress endures, the harsh reality for many Nepalis—particularly in remote areas—is that their hopes are being pushed further o

Bali’s tourism model is no longer sustainable. That’s why Indonesia needs to consider a radical but pragmatic solution: developing a new tourism hub—Bali 2.0—from the ground up.

For any government genuinely aiming to improve financial sustainability, a commitment to responsible financial management must go well beyond Parliament and Cabinet. It must be firmly embedded in the day-to-day choices made by civil servants, programme leads, procurement professionals, and senior executives at every tier of government. Yet, in many departments, agencies, and working-level teams, this culture is noticeably absent. The question is how to create such a culture?

As China faces mounting economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical challenges, an old conversation reemerging—both domestically and abroad—about whether a more open and participatory political model might better equip the country to respond. Could a gradual, phased evolution towards a form of “democracy with Chinese characteristics” help China mitigate some of its most pressing systemic risks? This article explores how democratic tools like transparency, accountabi

What is really behind the tariffs launched by the US administration in 2025? Is it really as simple as seeking 'fairness' or 'generating revenue'? There are likely a wide range of reasons for the tariffs depending on the trading country and what the US believes is in its interests. This is very likely just the opening salvo in what will be a dynamic period of changing trading relationships.

A new kind of travel trend emerges In recent years, a fresh and unusual type of tourism has started gaining attention around the world. It's called doomsday tourism. This article focuses on one form of doomsday tourism: the type based on exploring safe zones, survival bunkers, and historical shelters linked to global conflict and the fear of nuclear war. It is important to not confuse this trend with other uses of the same term. Doomsday tourism is sometimes used to des

Stephen Miran’s A User’s Guide to Re-Structuring the Global Trading System presents a pathway for major shifts that could reshape how global

The Queensland Government has unveiled ambitious plans for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a centrepiece being the cons

How forensic accounting can be undertaken at scale across governments using AI - this can be used to drive radical transparency and efficien

Will Europe begin to quietly move away from US dollar as part of a broader de-coupling?

Understanding the key drivers of economic growth in 2025 is essential for governments, businesses, and communities trying to navigate a world shaped by rapid change. Global growth is slowing compared to the past three decades, and this has real effects on people’s lives. Economists warn that the next few years will define whether countries can reignite productivity, reduce inequality, and stay competitive in a technology-driven global market. As the world faces political tens

Bangladesh is at a crossroads where it can choose to embed sustainable progress and growth or stall and slow it down. Reforms are needed an

How data and AI could significantly improve some models used for transport planning. Gross Value Added (GVA) analysis, Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling, and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), while also exploring emerging opportunities to integrate new data sources and artificial intelligence (AI).

There are a number of methods and approaches to assessing the impact of new transport projects. Here are three that can be considered in their own right or as part of a suite of approaches.

Geostrategic Risks and Digital Infrastructure Digital infrastructure now underpins almost every function of modern economies and governments, from communications and energy to finance, defence, and health systems. As global geopolitical tensions rise, so too do the risks to this infrastructure. Submarine cables, satellites, data centres, and cloud computing systems are increasingly becoming targets or casualties in the broader contest for strategic advantage. This artic