Category: Country Reports
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October 2023
Rolling power black outs have continued across Egypt despite cooler autumn temperatures reducing electricity demand. Rolling information black outs continue too. Everything from diplomatic relations to economic policies to opposition statements to security and political plans have all been shrouded in mystery. Elections loom, yet still so many potential runners have failed to officially declare…
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October 2023
President Hassan continues to consolidate her political base and grow the economy but is she doing enough? Two years into her tenure and still she has failed to address the lack of strong constitutional safeguards. Without them, there is a very real risk of a backwards slide into authoritarianism. She needs to find some way…
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October 2023
Kazakhstan is continually upping its game and displaying a new level of self-confidence. Stability and a strong economic plan are essential when trying to attract long term investors and Tokayev’s government is delivering both by the bucketload. Tokayev is now widely seen as being a forward thinking, balanced leader who wants only a bright future…
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October 2023
Overview. Both the Awami League and the BNP senior leadership have given their views with regard to the new US visa policy for Bangladesh, with the ruling Awami League saying it will have no bearing for the country, while main opposition party BNP said it is a source of shame.…… Read the rest
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September 2023
Overview. A tentative deal – of sorts, and not acknowledged as such by either party – seems to have been hatched between Iran and the US. The indications are that a prisoners-for-funds agreement may have been evolving alongside commitments by Iran to slow both its uranium enrichment activities and some of its regional militancy against…
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September 2023
Overview. Politics, power and prices are the main topics of conversation in Egypt at the moment. Costs continue to soar and people are getting ‘hangry’. Sisi continues to court favour overseas but is facing increasing criticism back home. The power cuts that were supposed to be only temporary for a few weeks in July have…
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September 2023
Overview. Kazakhstan continues to position itself as a pivotal player in global relations yet still maintains a strong economic performance at home. High global oil prices, supply-chain restructuring away from Russia and industrial output growth can all be given credit for a strong economic performance. Despite this there are still challenges to overcome.…… Read the…
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September 2023
President Tinubu has made some quick decisions in certain areas but then slowed down in others. He first turned his attention to government fuel subsidies and corruption but took his time appointing his cabinet. Nigeria’s economy remains on the brink and the Naira continues to decline. If ever there was a need for some swift…
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September 2023
Overview. The regular mud-slinging between the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP party continued in August, with each accusing the other of disrupting democracy in the country in the run-up to election either at the end of this year or early next year. A report by World Economics has said that Bangladesh’s GDP…
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August 2023
Overview. The political mud-slinging continued in Bangladesh as elections come ever-closer, with the ruling party and main opposition party continuing to blame each other for trying to undermine the country’s democratic systems. The Asian Development Bank has maintained its 6.5% GDP growth forecast for the next fiscal year. Exports and remittances for the just completed…