United States

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

The U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management lifted its stop-work order on the $5 billion Empire Wind offshore project, project developer Equinor announced on May 19.

U.S.: Trump Administration Lifts Stop-Work Order on Empire Wind Project

India

Pakistan

Military & Security

India is reportedly exploring ways to significantly boost its use of water from a key river system that sustains agriculture in Pakistan, Reuters reported on May 16.

India, Pakistan: New Project on Indus River Could Sharply Reduce Water Flow to Pakistan

United Arab Emirates

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the country's commitment to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion framework for investment in the United States, including in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, initially reached in March, Reuters reported on May 15.

U.S., UAE: United Arab Emirates Reaffirms AI Investment, Deepening Partnership

Cyber

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has withdrawn plans for new rules that limit U.S. data brokers' ability to sell sensitive information, Wired reported May 14, based on a notice set to publish May 15 in the Federal Register.

U.S.: CFPB Scraps Plans to Protect Americans From Data Brokers

Europe

The European Commission is considering simplifying the EU Artificial Intelligence Act's implementation following an expected upcoming review, though no fundamental changes to the rules are expected to occur, Politico reported on May 13, citing Kilian Gross, head of the commission’s AI policy unit.

EU: Commission Open To Amending Landmark Artificial Intelligence Act

Saudi Arabia

China

The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security announced on May 13 that it had initiated a rescission of the Biden-era AI Diffusion Rule, which set export quotas on the number of AI chips exported to certain countries, and would issue a replacement rule in the future. 

U.S.: Washington Announces Rescission of AI Diffusion Rule as Nvidia Seals Humain Deal

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of Humain, an artificial intelligence company owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, that will work on developing various AI models and applications, including large language models in Arabic, data centers and cloud computing infrastructure, Okaz reported on May 12.

Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Launches Humain AI Company Ahead of Trump Visit

Vietnam

Economics

Vietnam will launch a $20 billion credit package -- worth about 4.7% of gross domestic product and 3.8% of total domestic credit, according to the State Bank of Vietnam -- backed by 21 banks to finance infrastructure and technology investments to maintain high growth amid pending U.S. tariffs, Nikkei Asia reported on May 9.

Vietnam: Hanoi Issuing Rare $20B Credit Package Amid Tariff Pressures

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant science and technology analyses. 

Technology

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Agriculture

COVID-19

Supply Chains

_Energy

Environmental Issues

Globalization

The 4th Industrial Revolution

Columns

On Geopolitics

Visitors walk down the inclined shaft at Steenkampskraal rare-earth mine on July 29, 2019, about 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) from Vanrhynsdorp, a town in Western Cape province, South Africa.

Global Trade

U.S.-China trade tensions are increasing the risk of supply chain disruptions for critical raw materials, but companies can take steps to mitigate this danger.

Corporate America Comes to Grips With Supply Chain Risks to Critical Raw Materials

U.S.-China Relations

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Poland

Spain

Italy

NATO military forces during static display after the Steadfast Dart 2025 military exercises at the Smardan Training Area in Smardan, Romania, on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Europe is increasingly focused on achieving greater strategic autonomy in defense, but internal divisions and material constraints will plague this quest, even as the United States' role on the Continent continues to shrink, meaning NATO will likely remain the cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture. 

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 2: The View From Europe

Assessments

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Social Issues

Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Global Elections

U.S.-Iran Relations

A photo of the U.S. Capitol overlaid with a pixilated blue and red pattern.

The United States will continue to prioritize AI innovation over regulation, and the European Union is set to partially reconsider its rules amid a broader push to increase competitiveness. 

The Future of AI Regulation Under the West's New Leadership

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (left) and the party's secretary general, Carsten Linnemann, hold a post-election press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 24, 2025. 

Germany's new government will likely be more stable than its predecessor, enabling the CDU/CSU to pursue economic stimulus and a more assertive foreign policy.

German Election Results Position the Center-Right To Retake the Helm

While wars over water remain rare, its unequal distribution, growing demand and climate change-driven stress will increasingly shape global challenges and geopolitical tensions in the decades to come.

The Geopolitics of Water: Conclusion

The Geopolitics of Water

South Africa

While government reforms will help catalyze much-needed investments in water infrastructure, these are unlikely to rapidly resolve the country's water supply challenges, which threaten to undermine South Africa's economic growth amid more frequent droughts. 

The Geopolitics of Water: The Cascading Effects of South African Underinvestment in Water Infrastructure

South Asia's rising demand for water resources will exacerbate disputes over key waterways, particularly the Brahmaputra and Indus rivers.

The Geopolitics of Water: Regional Rivals Compete for South Asia's Rivers

Canada

Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it during an indoor inauguration parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C, on Jan. 20, 2025.

While some will face legal challenges, Trump's initial orders on immigration, trade, energy and climate issues lay the groundwork for his ambitious agenda.

What To Make of Trump's Day 1 Executive Orders

Brazil

Changes in rainfall patterns and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change will increasingly challenge Brazil's crop production, causing unrest.

The Geopolitics of Water: The Impact of Climate Change on Brazil's Agribusiness

Ethiopia

Egypt

In the coming decade, water scarcity will likely contribute to the erosion of Egypt's economic and political independence, including its ability to act unilaterally against other countries vying for water along the Nile basin.

The Geopolitics of Water: The Threat to Egypt's Independence

Media

Podcasts

What is Salt Typhoon, and what happened in the recent hack against U.S. telecommunications companies? 

Environment, Science & Technology

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Trump Administration Lifts Stop-Work Order on Empire Wind Project

India, Pakistan: New Project on Indus River Could Sharply Reduce Water Flow to Pakistan

U.S., UAE: United Arab Emirates Reaffirms AI Investment, Deepening Partnership

U.S.: CFPB Scraps Plans to Protect Americans From Data Brokers

EU: Commission Open To Amending Landmark Artificial Intelligence Act

U.S.: Washington Announces Rescission of AI Diffusion Rule as Nvidia Seals Humain Deal

Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Launches Humain AI Company Ahead of Trump Visit

Vietnam: Hanoi Issuing Rare $20B Credit Package Amid Tariff Pressures

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