Global Watch

The United Arab Emirates’ decision to leave OPEC on May 1 is more than an oil story. It is a sign that the balance of power inside the Gulf is shifting, and that the system that has shaped global oil markets for decades is starting to strain.   OPEC has long acted as a coordinating body for major oil producers, setting output targets to influence global supply and prices. Its power depends on members accepting limits in exchange for ...

From April 24-29, more than 45 countries are meeting in Santa Marta, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, with a clear message: climate talks cannot avoid the role of fossil fuels.   This summit comes at a tense moment. Conflict in the Middle East is once again showing how risky it is for countries to depend on oil and gas imports. That makes this meeting about more than the environment. It is also about energy security and national indepe...

The conflict around Iran is exposing a clear reality about Russia’s relationship with Tehran. Despite years of closer ties, this was never a full alliance. It was a practical partnership shaped by shared pressure from the West, not a guarantee of support in times of crisis.   Now, as tensions rise, Russia faces a mixed situation. It risks looking like an unreliable partner, but it may still find ways to benefit from the instability. ...

Central Asia is seeing a rapid rise in cryptocurrency use, and countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan are emerging as key players. What looks like a tech trend is actually a deeper economic shift.   Crypto is becoming a workaround for slow banking systems, sanctions pressure, and cross-border trade limits. In a region where moving money has long been difficult, digital currencies are now filling critical gaps.   Kyr...

India has officially launched its ambitious 2026 census, marking the first time since independence in 1947 that caste data will be formally collected. This two-phase exercise will be the world’s largest population count, offering critical insights into a country of over 1.4 billion people.   Caste refers to India's long-standing social classification system that continues to influence access to jobs, education, and political represen...