Category: International Economics

Asia/Pacific, East Asia, International Economics, International Security

Why China’s Domestic Crisis Makes a Taiwan Invasion Unlikely

By Max Roche With President Trump slated to visit Beijing in mid-May of this year, the so-called “Taiwan problem” is expected to be front and center in discussions. A key aspect of the problem is the persistent threat of a Chinese invasion of the island of Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), which China maintains is an “inalienable part of China’s territory.” Such a … Continue reading Why China’s Domestic Crisis Makes a Taiwan Invasion Unlikely

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Africa, International Economics, Magazine

Djibouti’s Peculiar Pecuniary Problem

By Arjun Moogimane and Finn Barrett Few nations have direct territorial claims to global trade chokepoints. Djibouti, a small country in the Horn of Africa, is one of them, making it a focal flashpoint of global trade security. Its strategic position as one of only four countries with direct access to the Bab-Al Mandeb strait has made it very important to global powers who maintain … Continue reading Djibouti’s Peculiar Pecuniary Problem

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Comparative Politics, International Economics, Magazine

Silicon Hegemony: How Semiconductors Are Rewiring U.S.-China Power

By Dror Ko and Max Druckman Whereas World War II was won with steel and aluminum, and the Cold War with nuclear weapons, the coming conflict between the US and China will be determined by silicon. This idea was first articulated by Fletcher’s Chris Miller in his 2022 book Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology, in which he argued that the … Continue reading Silicon Hegemony: How Semiconductors Are Rewiring U.S.-China Power

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Americas, International Economics, Magazine

Tariffs for Dummies

By Gia Ghosh and Lauren Nadow In early 2025, searches for “tariff” increased by 2,400% compared to 2024, following Trump’s election in 2024 and his use of the word during the presidential debate. Yet, only 45% of Americans know what a tariff is. Tariffs are “taxes imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries.” This means that when goods are imported, … Continue reading Tariffs for Dummies

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Asia/Pacific, East Asia, International Economics, Magazine

China’s Debt Comes Due

By Evan Krautheimer, Rogers Tan, and Sam Weinstein Since the 1990s, China has registered impressive growth rates, fueled by market-oriented reforms, extensive trade liberalization, and greater integration into global supply chains. This sustained expansion allowed the Chinese economy to outperform its peers, making it the second-largest economy globally, and rapidly closing in on US economic dominance. Historically, China’s GDP growth rate averaged an astounding 8.9% … Continue reading China’s Debt Comes Due

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Europe, International Economics, Magazine

A Poultry Economy

By Sasson Ziv-Loewy While UK-US relations have been rocked in recent times by Donald Trump’s insistence on tariffs as the sole conduit of international trade, UK-EU trade relations are currently dealing with opposite problems. Brexit’s immigration and self-determination narratives may have flooded the headlines surrounding the UK’s decoupling with Europe, but the exit of the UK from the European single market is having consequences on … Continue reading A Poultry Economy

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Americas, Carribean, Climate & Health, Human Rights & Global Governance, International Economics, Latin America, Magazine

Understanding Cuba’s Health & Economic Crisis

By Daniel Figueroa The bloqueo–the U.S. embargo on Cuba imposed in 1962–has long shaped the island’s economy and society. It restricts nearly all trade, financial transactions, and investments between the U.S. and Cuba. While originally framed as a political tool to fight communism and promote democratization, its largest impact has been on everyday life, particularly in public health. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these vulnerabilities, showing … Continue reading Understanding Cuba’s Health & Economic Crisis

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