Category: Latin America
After Maduro’s Ouster, Tough New Truths About US Foreign Policy
President Trump’s decisive action in Venezuela signals the consolidation of a foreign-policy doctrine that is blunt, transactional and unapologetic about the use of force — with five hard truths for the U.S. and the world…
Islamic Equity Investors Face A Difficult Choice
Islamic finance has made much progress over the past two decades across banking, asset management and capital markets. There are now some $5tn of Islamic finance assets in an industry grounded in faith-based principles, according to estimates from the LSEG’s Islamic Finance Development Indicator. But Islamic finance — and in particular equity investing — needs further conversation about how to balance ethical integrity with the financial complexity of today’s world…
Donald Trump Now A Serious Nobel Peace Prize Bet
By Alfred Nobel’s original intent, the Peace Prize should go to those who actually end wars, not those who merely talk about it. In 2025, Trump has brokered real agreements between sworn enemies and stepped directly into the world’s most dangerous conflicts…
6 Months In, Trump’s Unorthodox Foreign Policy Is Rewriting The Rules
President Trump’s return to office has marked a fundamental departure from conventional foreign policy approaches that have dominated Washington for decades. His first six months demonstrate how unorthodox methods — transactional negotiations, direct pressure and strategic leverage — can achieve breakthroughs that traditional diplomatic playbooks consistently failed to deliver…
Sukuk Finance’s New Framework Risks Disruption
The global sukuk market for Islamic finance faces a pivotal moment. A new framework from the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) threatens to destabilise a $1tn market that has become a vital funding source for sovereigns and corporates across the Middle East, Asia and beyond. The spiritual imperative behind proposed changes to AAOIFI’s Shariah Standard 62 is deeply respected. They seek to make sukuk debt appear less like debt with charged interest, something that is prohibited under Islamic law. However, the real-world effects could fracture a market that has flourished precisely because of its consistency and investor confidence. The stakes for global Islamic finance could not be higher…
Trump Is Redefining, Not Abandoning, American Soft Power
As Donald Trump heads back to the White House, leaders across the Middle East anticipate the revival of a pragmatic partnership centered on economic growth, security, and regional stability. Trump’s first term resonated with Gulf leaders and beyond, emphasizing results over ideology—a stark contrast to the Biden administration. His tenure’s signature accomplishments, including the Abraham Accords, a robust stance on Iran, and business-driven diplomacy, are seen as a roadmap for renewed progress in the region…
The Nations Likely To Win, Not Lose, From Trump’s Tariffs
Trump’s coming trade war will drive more supply chains out of China, opening opportunities for select others to fill the gaps…
Americas First?’ A Second Trump Term Could Be A Renaissance For Latin America
The prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House in 2025 has sparked intense discussion about the future of U.S.-Latin American relations. While critics focus on potential tensions, a closer examination reveals how Trump’s “America First” approach could catalyze a long-overdue transformation in hemispheric relations, ultimately benefiting both the U.S. and its southern neighbors…
The Unfulfilled Promise Of Biden’s Foreign Policy
President Biden entered office with a wealth of foreign policy experience and the promise to restore American leadership on the global stage. Yet, as his term nears its end, his administration’s handling of international crises raises questions about the effectiveness of his approach…
