Alaco

06.04.2016

Long dormant Nagorno-Karabakh dispute resurfaces

Upsurge in fighting offers investors a salutary lesson – frozen conflicts can flare up without much warning.more >

06.04.2016

Swiss banks begin to voluntarily enforce UK freezing orders

Switzerland appears to be shedding its reputation as a safe haven for the assets of fleeing debtors. more >

01.04.2016

Iran and Israel trade more than threats

Israel and Iran seem implacable enemies, regularly exchanging insults and threats, yet for decades they’ve also been secret trading partners.more >

30.03.2016

Tehran opens for business

Tehran’s hotels are heaving with official delegations and private investors keen not to miss out on the opening up of the biggest new market since the collapse of the Soviet Union a quarter of a century ago. But amid all the speed dating, will both sides be able to find what they’re looking for?more >

30.03.2016

Saudi Arabia plans economic reforms to preserve its social contract

As oil revenues plummet, the country needs to diversify its economy to maintain the system of privileges Saudi citizens are accustomed to. more >

30.03.2016

US and China vie for Cuban business

The easing of America’s trade and travel embargo on Cuba comes as China strengthens economic ties with the island.more >

22.03.2016

Courageous women clean up Russian and Ukrainian banks

Russia’s Elvira Nabiullina and Ukraine’s Valeria Gontareva have between them closed a staggering 384 banks – 190 in Russia and 94 in Ukraine – since they took on the job of running their countries’ central banks in 2013 and 2014 respectively.more >

22.03.2016

Nazarbayev election triumph betrays concerns over stability

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev would like his ruling party’s landslide electoral victory to be viewed as evidence of his ability to maintain stability, but with the country’s economy deteriorating he may find it harder to make such a claim in future.more >

18.03.2016

Trouble is brewing in the DRC as Kabila appears set to cling on to power

Political tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo are growing amid concerns that President Joseph Kabila may postpone presidential elections scheduled for November, when he’s due to step down – a move that could spark mass unrest and deal a blow to the country’s economy.more >

18.03.2016

“Georgian Dream” coalition splintering ahead of parliamentary elections

A feud within the ruling Georgian Dream coalition exposes internal divisions over the country’s pro-western stance.more >