Anti-doping is in crisis. Russia has created a real dilemma as the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee agonise over the extent and nature of sanctions after doping revelations. Kenya is struggling to meet the requirements that will allow it to take part at the Olympics.
The next OPEC meeting on 2 June will act as little more than a forum for continued altercations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The 2 June 2016 OPEC meeting will be held amid a backdrop of oil prices near $50 per barrel, a sharp drop in Nigerian production due to sabotage, turmoil in Venezuela, Saudi Arabia operating with a new oil minister, and Iran aggressively pumping close to pre-sanction levels.
In 2016, Southeast Asia has found itself engaged in proactive regional initiatives led by major powers. The recently signed, but still to be ratified, US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is one attempt, while China’s land-based ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ and ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’ — which together make up its ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR) initiative — puts Beijing’s proactive engagement and growing confidence on display.
On 2 May 2016, US President Barack Obama published an op-ed in the Washington Post in an attempt to bolster support for the highly controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP has become a political football in the US election primaries, with all of the leading candidates for President expressing their opposition to it.
Obama’s main argument was that the US should be writing the trade rules of the 21st century, rather than ‘countries like China’.
In early 2014, Russia faced economic sanctions in response to its annexation of Crimea. Many in the country viewed the sanctions as proof that the West has contempt for Russia’s ‘sphere of influence’ in Ukraine and were trying to subvert Russian foreign policy. Responding to this pressure from the West, Moscow turned its attention to the East — specifically, to China.
The Federal Reserve made it clear that interest rates are likely to rise in June. After raising rates in December, the market has seen much confusion about the timing of the next interest rate hike.
While GDP growth was soft in the first quarter of this year, recent Fed estimates show strong growth of over 2% for the second quarter, while strong retail sales growth and higher inflation indicate renewed strength in aggregate demand throughout the U.S. economy.
We felt strongly that the FOMC minutes would be more hawkish than the statement that followed the meeting, and we were not disappointed. However, our caveat remains the minutes dilute the signal that emanates from the Fed’s leadership, Yellen, Fischer, and Dudley.
Promoting economic development and “wealth creation” is one of the London mayor’s three main functions – alongside taking care of the city’s social and environmental development. The fact that London regularly tops major rankings of global financial centres is a key pillar of the city’s wealth.
In response to recent Chinese interest in infrastructure assets, the Australian government is under pressure to tighten its foreign investment review framework on national security grounds.
The two most prominent features of Japanese foreign policy are caution and the US alliance. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to travel to Sochi for a summit with President Vladimir Putin on 6 May was therefore remarkable.
The visit comes at a time when Russia remains under international sanctions and the United States has made it clear that it intends to maintain a policy of isolation. Indeed, in a February phone call President Obama directly urged Abe to abandon the visit. So what explains this uncharacteristically bold step? And did it pay off?
