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South Caucasus

Armenia-Azerbaijan Relations

Peace talks, corridor politics and the contest for influence in the South Caucasus.

Updated Nov 7, 2026 · 19 updates · 1 article

South America

Bolivia's Political Situation

Austerity, protests and the fragile post-MAS order.

Updated Nov 11, 2026 · 15 updates · 1 article

South Asia

China–Sri Lanka Financial Relations

Debt, ports and the contest for influence in the Indian Ocean.

Updated Nov 12, 2026 · 21 updates · 1 article

Southern Africa

Chinese Infrastructure and Minerals in Southern Africa

Corridors, concessions and the contest for the Copperbelt.

Updated Nov 11, 2026 · 20 updates · 1 article

South Caucasus

Georgia's Geopolitical Position

Between Russia, the West and the lure of the corridor.

Updated Nov 12, 2026 · 21 updates · 1 article

Southeast Asia

Islamic Extremism in the Philippines

From Marawi to the first Bangsamoro parliament.

Updated Nov 7, 2026 · 17 updates · 1 article

Central Asia

Kazakhstan's Economic Diversification

A middle power balancing great powers while trying to diversify.

Updated Nov 13, 2026 · 19 updates · 1 article

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Topics
  • Kazakhstan's Economic DiversificationUpdate · Nov 13, 2026

    Tokayev offers Russia a seat in the Turkic bloc

    At the 30 October summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara, Tokayev said it would be "appropriate and fair" to welcome Russia into the OTS+ format or as an observer, the first time Astana has proposed institutional entry for Moscow into a body it helped found. Hudson Institute reads it as a tactical concession meant to link the Middle and North-South corridors; Crimean Tatar leaders urged members to reject it (Hudson Institute, Kyiv Post).

    • Washington suspends the Graham Act's Russia measures
    • Minerals compact puts a $20 billion figure behind processing
    • + 3 more
  • Georgia's Geopolitical PositionUpdate · Nov 12, 2026

    China sends its most senior official yet to Tbilisi

    Vice President Han Zheng visited on 6–8 November, the highest-ranking Chinese official ever to visit Georgia by the government's own account, and met Kavelashvili and Kobakhidze. Kobakhidze called China "the only peaceful superpower in the modern world", thanked Beijing for backing Georgia's sovereignty and reaffirmed the One China principle; Han promised to buy more Georgian products, but no new agreements were signed.

    • The EU is now Georgia's weakest bilateral relationship, below Russia
    • Moscow's security chief endorses Georgian Dream and revives the 3+3 push
    • + 3 more
  • China–Sri Lanka Financial RelationsUpdate · Nov 12, 2026

    2027 budget ties record spending to the IMF's board condition

    the Appropriation Bill sets spending at Rs9.92 trillion, net borrowing at Rs3.8 trillion and a record Rs2 trillion capital allocation, with primary expenditure capped at 12.9% of GDP. Presenting it on 12 November is the condition the IMF attached to board approval of the seventh review, but capital budget utilisation of 64%, 54% and 76% in 2023–25 weakens the growth case (EconomyNext).

    • An 18th IMF programme becomes the working assumption
    • Restructuring reaches 99% only once unsigned terms are counted
    • + 3 more
  • Bolivia's Political SituationUpdate · Nov 11, 2026

    Paz's first budget breaks the IMF deficit ceiling

    The 2027 budget sent to the Assembly on 30 October projects a 6.7% of GDP deficit, Bs1.79bn above the Bs36.8bn ceiling the IMF memorandum sets, and funds Bs11bn of gasoline and GNV subsidy the programme requires to end in January 2027.

    • The Supreme Court president flees a drug warrant
    • Teachers shut schools nationwide for two days
    • + 3 more
  • Chinese Infrastructure and Minerals in Southern AfricaUpdate · Nov 11, 2026

    Chinese processing pledges reach $16.3bn but technology transfer lags

    A Development Reimagined report tracking FOCAC 2024 pledges finds $41.2 billion announced across 32 Chinese mining projects in 15 African countries between September 2024 and June 2026, of which $16.3 billion (39.6%) sits in 19 projects with local processing or manufacturing; it also finds little evidence that technology transfer has followed the capital (SCMP, Ecofin Agency).

    • Kinshasa tells Washington to convert mineral access into delivered projects
    • Lobito's Congolese section has not broken ground despite $2.7bn pledged
    • + 2 more
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan RelationsUpdate · Nov 7, 2026

    TRIPP becomes law in Armenia

    Parliament ratified the Armenia-US framework agreement 63–32 on 28 October, creating a development company that is 74% US-owned for an initial 49 years. Only the ruling Civil Contract faction voted in favour.

    • A trilateral structure finally exists
    • Mirzoyan moves the goalposts forward
    • + 4 more
  • Islamic Extremism in the PhilippinesUpdate · Nov 7, 2026

    Macacua elected first chief minister

    The inaugural Bangsamoro Parliament gave Abdulraof Macacua 51 votes against 27 for Murad Ebrahim, ending more than seven years of interim rule and making the MILF chair the leader of the opposition in the chamber his movement created.

    • Cabinet named, peace brief reclaimed
    • Exit agreement promised before 2028
    • + 2 more
  • Kazakhstan's Economic DiversificationUpdate · Nov 6, 2026

    RUSI analysis explains Kazakhstan's dual AI alignment

    Assel Bitabar's comprehensive RUSI commentary traces how Kazakhstan joined both Pax Silica and WAICO, using critical minerals and uranium as bargaining chips for non-alignment.

    • BESA Center publishes deep macroeconomic assessment
    • NVIDIA's Jensen Huang visits Astana, Firebird signs infrastructure deal
    • + 4 more