Global Watch

After 25 years of delays, the European Union has approved a free trade agreement with Mercosur, the bloc made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The decision links Europe more closely to South America at a time when Europe’s traditional economic partner, the United States, has become less predictable.   The vote by 21 EU member states ends more than two decades of stalled talks and produces the largest trade agreement th...

Multinational corporations are no longer just economic players. Today, many wield political influence that rivals entire countries. Through vast financial resources, global supply chains, and lobbying, these companies can shape trade rules, technology standards, and even global political outcomes.   Multinational corporations operate across multiple countries, giving them leverage over international markets, finance, and regulation. Some g...

The year 2026 is poised to be a turbulent one for the world, as political instability, corruption scandals, and economic-linked discontent set the stage for increased civil unrest.   According to a recent report by Verisk Maplecroft, the risk of protests, strikes, and even riots has surged, with countries in the Balkans, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia facing some of the highest levels of unrest. As geopolitical pressures mount globally, ...

The Sahel, a narrow belt between the Sahara Desert and sub-Saharan Africa, is fast becoming one of the world’s most dangerous regions. Once largely ignored, the area now shapes security far beyond Africa. In 2024, the Sahel accounted for more than half of global terrorism deaths, with nearly 3,900 people killed in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso alone.   For global policymakers, the central Sahel has moved from the periphery to the cen...

Iran has been plunged into a near-total internet and communications blackout as widespread anti-government protests intensified on January 8, marking the 12th day of unrest sparked by severe economic hardships.   The protests began in late December 2025 over soaring inflation, a collapsing rial currency, and shortages of essentials like food and medicine. What started as market strikes in Tehran's Grand Bazaar quickly spread nationwide, ev...