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931. Bridging the Bay of Bengal: Toward a Stronger BIMSTEC

Author:
Constantino Xavier
Publication Date:
03-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:
The Bay of Bengal is one of the world’s least integrated regions, with abysmal levels of trade, connectivity, and cooperation. The deep divide between India and other countries around the bay hinders their efforts to increase their economic and strategic interdependence. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a regional multilateral organization founded in 1997, offers a well-positioned platform to help address these challenges. But BIMSTEC’s mission to deepen regionalism will stand a better chance of succeeding if its members (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) make the organization a priority, endow it with adequate resources, and enact reforms to strength its capabilities.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

932. Tackling Women’s Underrepresentation in U.S. Politics: Comparative Perspectives From Europe

Author:
Saskia Brechenmacher
Publication Date:
03-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:
Despite differences in political institutions and culture, the United States could borrow from European approaches to increase women’s representation, especially at the state and local levels.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

933. India’s Universal Basic Income: Bedeviled by the Details

Author:
Saksham Khosla
Publication Date:
02-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:
The idea of a universal basic income (UBI)—periodic and unconditional cash payments to all citizens—has gained renewed attention amid growing concerns about technological unemployment in advanced economies.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
India

934. Back to What Future? What Remains for Syria’s Displaced People

Author:
Kheder Khaddour
Publication Date:
01-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:
The Islamic State’s defeat in Syria will not automatically bring displaced people home. A broader political settlement that reflects regional and national realities will be required.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

935. Iran’s Cyber Threat: Espionage, Sabotage, and Revenge

Author:
Colin Anderson
Publication Date:
01-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:
Incidents involving Iran have been among the most sophisticated, costly, and consequential attacks in the history of the internet. The four-decade-long U.S.-Iran cold war has increasingly moved into cyberspace, and Tehran has been among the leading targets of uniquely invasive and destructive cyber operations by the United States and its allies. At the same time, Tehran has become increasingly adept at conducting cyber espionage and disruptive attacks against opponents at home and abroad, ranging from Iranian civil society organizations to governmental and commercial institutions in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

936. Azerbaijani National Currency: Is the Current Status Quo Sustainable?

Author:
CESD Research Team
Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
Abstract:
Currently, in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, the situation in the economies of the region is quite variable. On the other side of the ocean, the US Federal Reverse System has been continuously raising the key interest rate. In Russia, the ruble depreciated due to existing and probable sanctions, in Turkey, economic and political circumstances have led to the 40% loss of the lira’s value (and this figure is expected to further increase by the end of the year), and the withdrawal of the US from the Iran Nuclear Deal with replaced sanctions has caused more aggravation to the socio-economic situation and rapid deprecation of the Iranian rial in the southern neighbor of Azerbaijan. The so-called trade wars and new processes led by the current US government form serious risks for globalization and liberal trade.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

937. New Debt Policy in Azerbaijan: Hopes, Realities, Risks and Perspectives

Author:
Rashad Hasanov
Publication Date:
09-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
Abstract:
From the second half of 2014, Azerbaijani public debt increased considerably along with several new challenges facing the domestic economy. During this period, the ratio of foreign debt to GDP rose from 8.6% (01.01.2015) to 22.8% (01.06.2018). The increase was 3.4 billion US dollars in nominal terms. At the beginning of 2018, Azerbaijan’s public debt amounted to 10 billion 100 million US dollars, while the value of loans taken with state guarantees reached 12 billion 682 million US dollars, raising the ratio of debt to GDP to 55%. The increase in the debt burden, particularly external debt liabilities, has caused concern both in the local community and in the government. Specifically, the deterioration of the financial situation of publicly-funded state institutions has raised the likelihood that the debt burden on this category will turn into a fiscal burden. As a result, the “Medium and long-term strategy for public debt management in the Republic of Azerbaijan” was approved on 24.08.2018
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

938. Social Economy for Azerbaijan: a key component of Sustainable Development?

Author:
Victoria Bittner
Publication Date:
01-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
Abstract:
The paper aims to bring readers’ attention to the Social Economy as an alternative economic system and reanimate the development of a Social Economy sector in Azerbaijan. At the moment, the term Social Economy does not have a fixed definition and, therefore, this study tries to provide an explanation of it. Moreover, this paper describes the implications and benefits of the Social Economy in and for Azerbaijan and offers mechanisms for its further development. The study explains the Social Economy’s necessity for the future sustainable development of the country, as there are important correlations between the two. There are many opportunities that can be opened by this sector and, thus, the country should develop a social-welfare-maximization approach to the economy
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

939. The three stages of China’s ODI development

Author:
Bijang Wang and Kailin Gao
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Abstract:
In 2016, China became the world’s second-largest outward investor after the United States, with US$196.2 billion of outward direct investment (ODI) flows. China’s foray into ODI developed in three stages, moving from a ‘restricted’ to a ‘relaxed’ and most recently to a ‘regulated’ approach. Today’s strengthened ODI regulations correct imbalanced ODI practices of earlier eras, but some challenges remain. Before 2000, capital shortages prompted China to invite capital inflows and restrict capital outflows. Chinese enterprises had to apply for approval to invest overseas on a case-by-case basis, which minimised overseas investment. By the end of 1999, China ranked 23rd in the world for outward investment with an ODI stock of US$27 billion, representing 0.4 per cent of the global total.
Topic:
Foreign Direct Investment, Investment, and Economic Development
Political Geography:
China and Asia

940. China and Canada eye more mutually beneficial trade deal

Author:
Dong Yan and Bai Jie
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Abstract:
A clause in the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact, widely known as a "poison pill" aimed at China, will not stop Canada from continuing to negotiate a free trade agreement with China, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at an event at the National University of Singapore on Thursday. This suggests the US will find it extremely difficult to administer its "poison pill", because it has gone too far in using bullying tactics against other countries－in this case, China.
Topic:
Treaties and Agreements, Economy, and Trade
Political Geography:
China, Canada, Asia, and North America