Resource Politics

Angola officially left OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in January 2024 after 16 years. The move sent shock waves through global energy markets and raised big questions about whether major oil-producing countries still trust the group’s strict production rules.   The dispute centered on oil production quotas. Angola argued that OPEC's mandatory cuts limited its ability to grow its economy when the country ...

Bangladesh has launched a bold new artificial intelligence traffic system in Dhaka, a mega-city known for its endless traffic jams and packed roads. The move marks a major shift as AI technology enters public services in one of South Asia’s fastest-growing urban centers.   Dhaka’s roads have become a daily struggle for millions. With more than 22 million people living in the city, traffic congestion has damaged business activit...

The United Nations has cut its global growth forecast in light of the war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States sent shockwaves through energy markets and global trade. Rising oil prices and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are now putting pressure on economies across the world.   The UN now expects the global economy to grow by 2.5% in 2026, lower than earlier forecasts of 2.7%. A 0.2% lower growth forecast means the g...

The TAPI pipeline has been declared dead more times than most infrastructure projects ever begin. Yet nearly three decades after it was first proposed, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (TAPI) are once again trying to turn one of Asia’s most ambitious energy corridors into reality.   The project is designed to carry natural gas from Turkmenistan’s vast reserves into some of the world's fastest-growing energy market...

In parts of Central and East Africa, a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has raised questions about whether global aid cuts have weakened early warning systems. Health workers and international experts warn that fragile health services, already strained by conflict and debt, are struggling to keep up with fast-moving infections.   At the same time, maternal and child health programs face pressure, ra...