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

The dependency ratio and economic impact are becoming central topics in global economic debates. As populations age in some regions and grow rapidly in others, governments, businesses, and investors are paying closer attention to how many people are working compared to how many rely on support. The dependency ratio is a simple but powerful concept. It compares people who are typically not working, such as children and older adults, with those who are of working age. This 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

As more of daily life moves online, expectations about how institutions should work are changing fast. People can open a bank account in minutes, transfer money instantly, and manage finances from a phone. Against this backdrop, a growing question is emerging: why can’t government work the same way? This question sits at the heart of the idea of a virtual government. Just as online banks reshaped financial services by removing physical branches and redesigning processes fo

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

In today’s economy, productivity, innovation, and shared responsibility matter more than ever. Yet one trend that often gets overlooked is the growing entitlement mindset. This mindset is not about whether people deserve help or support. It is not about blaming or judging anyone who receives benefits of any sort - whether government or otherwise. Instead, it is about understanding what happens when a whole society begins to expect rewards without the effort, accountability, o

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s actively reshaping the way organizations work. From automating routine tasks to providing strategic insights, AI is transforming productivity across industries. But while technology can boost efficiency, the human element remains critical. Organizations that actively reward productivity gained through AI use not only maximize results but also build a culture of innovation and engagement. This article explo

As AI becomes a core part of modern work, organizations are learning that technology alone isn’t enough. Real transformation depends on culture—how people think, work, collaborate, and adapt to new tools. Companies that understand how to build an AI-ready culture gain faster adoption, better innovation, and stronger long-term performance. Creating this culture doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from clear communication, continuous learning, responsible experimentation, a

Data sovereignty has become one of the most talked-about issues in technology and national policy. But the public explanations for it often miss what is really going on. Many governments describe data sovereignty as a simple matter of protecting privacy or following local rules. While these factors matter, they rarely tell the full story. In practice, the real reasons behind data sovereignty are tied to national security, economic control, political independence, and the g

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

Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday work. From writing short summaries to improving customer service, AI tools are becoming normal in most organizations. But the success of AI does not depend only on the tools themselves. It depends on the people who guide how these tools are used. This is why leadership for AI in the workplace has become one of the most important skills for modern managers. Strong leadership sets the tone for how AI is adopted, how people feel

Artificial intelligence is growing at a pace the world has never experienced before. From smart assistants to advanced analytics, AI now sits behind almost every digital tool we rely on. But powering this new intelligence comes at a significant cost: AI energy demand is rising far faster than today’s electricity systems can keep up with.   Data centres, GPU clusters, and high-performance computing hubs now consume astonishing amounts of power. AI training runs for large lan

AI tools now offer teachers a wide range of support options, and these solutions can be grouped into five core areas that make the biggest difference to teaching, learning, and daily classroom practice. The follow article is a short summary of the options that teacher may wish to consider while exploring the many possibilities. You may also also want to read the following article: 'How teachers should be using AI in education'.

In today’s digital era, national reputation is not built only on geography or resources — it’s also about how well a country positions itself as a digital nation. Governments across the world are branding themselves as innovative, tech-enabled, and citizen-centred. Two stand-out examples are Estonia and Singapore, which have turned their digital transformation programmes into powerful nation brands. Estonia calls itself a digital nation, known globally for its e-Estonia co

Estonia has become one of the world’s most admired examples of a digital nation. Over the past two decades, this small Baltic country has turned digital transformation into both a national identity and a global marketing success. Through innovation, creativity, and collaboration, Estonia has built an image of a nation where technology, government, and citizens work seamlessly together. Rather than rely on slogans, Estonia’s digital brand has grown from real achievements —

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

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, live, and learn—fast. But not all cities will feel these changes the same way. Some places will boom as AI-powered industries grow and new high-skill jobs appear. Other cities may face big challenges as automation replaces routine and service-based roles. This article unpacks which cities will be most impacted by AI, why some regions are more vulnerable, and what people and governments can do to prepare. We will explore glob