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241. The Bandung Spirit

Author:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Abstract:
In 1955, the leaders of former Global South colonies met in Bandung, Indonesia, brought together by a common spirit for national liberation and cooperation. Seventy years later, is there any trace of it left?
Topic:
Development, International Cooperation, History, Global South, and Internationalism
Political Geography:
Africa, Indonesia, and Asia

242. The Sahel Seeks Sovereignty

Author:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Abstract:
On the heels of popular military coups, how are Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger returning to a path of sovereignty while navigating a legacy of dependency and internal-external security challenges?
Topic:
Security, Development, Sovereignty, Coup, and Economic Dependence
Political Geography:
Africa, Mali, Sahel, Niger, and Burkina Faso

243. How the World Looks from Tricontinental

Author:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Abstract:
In July 2015, social and political movements gathered for the Second Dilemmas of Humanity Conference and set in motion what would become Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. A decade later, we take stock of our view of the world and what lies ahead.
Topic:
Economics, Imperialism, and Global South
Political Geography:
Global Focus

244. NATO: The Most Dangerous Organisation on Earth

Author:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Abstract:
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is the only real military bloc in the world – one whose mandate and ambitions stretch far beyond the North Atlantic and, in fact, constitute the greatest threat to world peace.
Topic:
NATO, Armed Forces, Global South, and Peace
Political Geography:
Global Focus

245. The Joy of Reading

Author:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Publication Date:
02-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Abstract:
Reading and popular literacy programmes have played an important role in revolutionary processes, from the Mexican, Chinese, and Russian revolutions in the early twentieth century to today.
Topic:
Revolution, Literacy, and Reading
Political Geography:
Russia, China, Eurasia, Asia, Latin America, and Mexico

246. Europe’s Strategic Imperative: Advancing Sustainability for Global Stability

Author:
Reinhold Brender
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
Abstract:
Europe’s long-term security depends not only on military strength, but also on global stability shaped by sustainable development and effective multilateralism. From the outset, Donald Trump’s second presidency has placed additional strain on an international system already under pressure, further weakening key pillars of the rules-based international order. Geopolitical divisions continue to paralyse the UN Security Council on critical issues. In this increasingly fragmented landscape, the EU must advance a dual security imperative: strengthening its defence capabilities while tackling the root causes of instability beyond its borders. This policy note outlines six strategic priorities for the EU to advance security through sustainability: (i) implementing the UN Pact for the Future; (ii) helping finance global sustainability through more innovative and coordinated mechanisms; (iii) shaping a strategy for EU engagement with the Global South that reflects geopolitical realities and mutual interests; (iv) delivering on the promise of Global Gateway by addressing operational shortcomings and sharpening its strategic focus; (v) rethinking the SDG framework beyond 2030 to sustain global development momentum; and (vi) winning the battle of narratives through stronger, more strategic communication and credible engagement. These priorities are examined against the backdrop of growing geopolitical fragmentation and structural vulnerabilities that shape both global stability and Europe’s strategic outlook.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, European Union, Political stability, Multilateralism, Economic Development, and Sustainability
Political Geography:
Europe

247. Will the New Government Safely Navigate Belgium through Turbulent International Waters?

Author:
Wannes Verstraete
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
Abstract:
“Yes, our country is vulnerable”, said Belgian Major-General Phaleg Bernard during a hearing in the Defence Commission from the Chamber of Representatives in October 2024. The remarks by him and other senior officers stressed the urgent necessity of accelerating the modernisation of Belgium’s military forces at a moment when the government negotiations were ongoing. By the end of January 2025, these negotiations proved to be successful. The new De Wever Government released its coalition agreement and was sworn in on 3 February 2025. As is often the case in Belgium, the coalition is made up of different ideological parties, namely the N-VA (conservative Flemish nationalist); MR (Francophone liberals); cd&v (Flemish Christian democrats); Les Engagés (Francophone centrists); and Vooruit (Flemish social democrats). The national security sections of the new coalition agreement are spread throughout the document and can be found in the parts on foreign affairs, defence, and elsewhere. In comparison with former governments, the new coalition agreement showcases an increased ambition and formulates some of the minimum necessary adjustments. The previous 2020 coalition agreement was 97 pages long in total and contained 2 pages on defence, 5 pages on foreign affairs, and 2 on development. The new 2025 agreement is 199 pages long and contains 8 pages on defence and 11 pages on foreign affairs and development.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, Government, and European Union
Political Geography:
Europe and Belgium

248. The EU Campaign against Gender Stereotypes: Ideas, Interests and Individual Freedom

Author:
Sophie Heine
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
Abstract:
It is a sad fact that inequalities between men and women are still prevalent in the EU and impacts on numerous aspects of women’s lives (pay gap, domestic violence, childcare, careers, overall income…). However, the 2020-2025 gender equality strategy of the EU has reached certain results. It prolongs the progress made by the EU in that area over the last decades, thanks to legislation, gender mainstreaming (integration of the gender perspective into all other policies) and particular measures to empower women. According to the commission, positive trends are the following: higher number of women in the labour market and better education and training, even if the commission admits that even on the labour market there is still progress to be made. Thus, women are still over-represented in lower paid sectors and under-represented in decision-making positions. The EU Gender Equality Strategy aims to contribute to the Union of Equality advocated by the first Von der Leyen Commission with policy goals and actions to progress towards a gender-equal Europe by 2025. This long-term goal is defined as “a Union where women and men, girls and boys, in all their diversity, are free to pursue their chosen path in life, have equal opportunities to thrive, and can equally participate in and lead our European society.”
Topic:
European Union, Women, Institutions, Empowerment, and Gender Equality
Political Geography:
Europe

249. Financial Influence Operations in the Hybrid Threats Spectrum

Author:
Bernard Siman
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
Abstract:
This paper examines the Hybrid Threats posed by perfectly legal and legitimate financial markets operations to national security through a variety of legal routes including acquisitions of intellectual property (IPs), E.S.G. regulations, Activist Investors and others. Focus has hitherto been on macro-measures, such as Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) Screening, sanctions compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”), Counter-Terrorism financing (“C-TF”), supply chain security, raw materials and the like. However, very little attention has been paid to micro-level financial and economic security threats through legal and legitimate financial markets operations. In other words, Why spy when you can buy. To achieve economic and financial security in the interest of national security and maintaining military capability superiority, such micro-financial markets operations in the Hybrid Threats spectrum, i.e., in the financial markets, must be tackled to prevent, inter alia, critical technology leak; as well as to enable greater investments in military capabilities, which have become a key defence, security and Strategic Autonomy priority. The fovus on macro-measure, in other words, is insufficient to achieve the objectives of economic and national security and must be urgently augmented by microlevel financial markets measures and awareness beyond AML and C-TF.
Topic:
Economics, Markets, Hybrid Threats, and Influence
Political Geography:
Europe

250. Understanding Uganda’s (ambiguous) actions in Eastern DRC: Military interventions to protect roads and trade?

Author:
Kristof Titeca and Giovanni Salvaggio
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
Abstract:
Much attention has been given to the role of Rwanda in the conflict in Eastern DRC, and its support to M23. Much less attention has been given to the role of Uganda. In this briefing, we aim to fill this gap. We will show how that Uganda’s presence in Eastern DRC has strong economic under- and overtones: much of Uganda’s actions are centered around protecting trade and roads in Eastern DRC. This builds on historical relations between Uganda and Congolese traders – particularly the Nande and Hema business community – with whom it had been discussing these issues in the years prior to their military intervention. In doing so, Uganda primarily protects its own interests, and has ambiguous relations with all key-actors in the conflict – M23, Kigali and Kinshasa. We will show this by first explaining the broader history of economic relations between Uganda and Eastern DRC, and second, link this to its current actions.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Military Intervention, Trade, and Armed Conflict
Political Geography:
Uganda, Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Central Africa

251. The Environmental Crisis Is a Capitalist Crisis

Author:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Abstract:
One of humanity’s greatest challenges today is the environmental crisis, which threatens our very existence. Our latest dossier explores its class character, showing that the climate catastrophe is a product of capitalism’s relentless drive for accumulation.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, Capitalism, and Class
Political Geography:
Global Focus

252. The Mediterranean Region and the New International Context. Current trends and future challenges

Author:
Andrea Noferini
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
IEMed/EuroMeSCo
Abstract:
This report addresses two main questions: What are the main current challenges in the Mediterranean region? And, which economic, political and social aspects of the Mediterranean region are unlikely to change in the short-to-medium term? To answer the questions, the report considers the framework of the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the SDGs in the Mediterranean region. First, the Agenda remains the common and shared vision towards sustainability, officially endorsed by the United Nations (UN). Secondly, the monitoring process of the Agenda provides the most up-todate evidence, thanks to reliable figures and data produced by the main statistical offices and international organisations. Methodologically, instead of considering all the 17 SDGs, the report uses the 5P Principles framework that allows a more systemic analysis (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership). Given the nature of the report, the goal is not to be exhaustive but to select some of the most salient challenges that will affect the Mediterranean region in the coming years.
Topic:
Economics, Politics, United Nations, and Sustainable Development Goals
Political Geography:
Mediterranean

253. European Natural Gas through the 2020s: the Decade of Extremes, Contradictions and Continuing Uncertainties

Author:
Yaroslav Melekh, James Dixon, Katrina Salmon, and Michael Grubb
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET)
Abstract:
The European gas system has entered a structurally volatile phase defined by post energy crisis overbuild, dislocated demand trajectories, and a decoupling mandate under REPowerEU. This paper interrogates the contradictions between fossil lock-in through LNG import capacity and overcontracting, and policy-driven demand reduction. The EU’s pivot to flexible LNG procurement exposes pricing to global volatility, while decarbonisation hinges on electrification, demand-side retrofits and hydrogen feasibility—each encumbered by cost, infrastructure lag, and political friction. We assess Europe’s gas outlook through the decade’s residual volatility, policy ambivalence, and the emerging global LNG oversupply regime — a clash with geopolitical energy security imperatives, domestic backlashes against capitalintensive green technologies and market inertia. We argue that Europe’s energy system now operates in a zone of structural ambiguity—where security, sovereignty, economy and climate ambition remain deeply entangled, but as yet far from operationally aligned.
Topic:
European Union, Energy, Energy Security, and Natural Gas
Political Geography:
Europe

254. Steering Technological Progress

Author:
Anton Korinek and Joseph Stiglitz
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET)
Abstract:
Rapid progress in new technologies such as AI has led to widespread anxiety about adverse labor market impacts. This paper asks how to guide innovative efforts so as to increase labor demand and create betterpaying jobs while also evaluating the limitations of such an approach. We develop a theoretical framework to identify the properties that make an innovation desirable from the perspective of workers, including its technological complementarity to labor, the factor share of labor in producing the goods involved, and the relative income of the affected workers. Applications include robot taxation, factor-augmenting progress, and task automation. We find that steering technology becomes more desirable the less efficient social safety nets are. If technological progress devalues labor, the desirability of steering is at first increased, but beyond a critical threshold, it becomes less effective, and policy should shift toward greater redistribution. If labor's economic value diminishes in the future, progress should increasingly focus on enhancing human well-being rather than labor productivity.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Inequality, Artificial Intelligence, and Labor Market
Political Geography:
Global Focus

255. AI, Antitrust & Privacy

Author:
Maurice E. Stucke
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET)
Abstract:
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how companies profile individuals, create and target ads, and influence behavior—often in ways that undermine privacy, autonomy, and democracy. This article explores a critical but overlooked question: how AI affects the relationship between competition and privacy. Increased competition in the AI supply chain may seem like a solution to Big Tech’s dominance, but when firms are rewarded for surveillance and manipulation, more competition can actually make things worse. Drawing on recent market trends and twenty state privacy laws, the Article shows how the existing legal frameworks—even those designed to protect privacy—fall short and may unintentionally entrench the power of few data-opolies. It argues that privacy and competition must be addressed together, not in silos, and offers specific legislative reforms to help align business incentives with public interests. Without stronger guardrails, AI risks accelerating a race to the bottom—fueled not only by powerful technologies, but by well-intentioned, but flawed policies.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, Supply Chains, and Antitrust
Political Geography:
Global Focus

256. Inflationary Inertia as a Result of Unfulfilled Aspirations

Author:
Nicolás M. Burotto
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET)
Abstract:
I develop a discrete-time Keynesian D/Z model in which inflationary inertia arises from distributional conflict between firms and workers. The mechanism centers on aspiration gaps— the divergence between actual real wages and income targets—which, when combined with strong bargaining power, generate persistent inflation even after conventional macroeconomic gaps close. The model shows that equilibrium in real wages does not guarantee distributional balance, and that market mechanisms alone cannot restore stability. This underscores the need for a “social consensus” that moderates aspiration dynamics and defuses conflict-driven inflationary pressures.
Topic:
Economics, Inflation, Labor Market, Price, Wages, and Inertia
Political Geography:
Global Focus

257. Kalecki and the Stucturalist View of Economic Development

Author:
Jan Toporowski
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET)
Abstract:
This paper commemorates the 70th anniversary of Kalecki’s seminal lecture in Mexico on financing economic development. The first part of this paper outlines the theoretical model underlying Kalecki’s view of development financing. A second part of the paper summarizes the foundations of structuralist development economics in the Prebisch-Singer approach to international trade and import-substitution development strategies. A third part of the paper examines the confrontation between Kalecki’s view of economic development strategy, and the structuralist approach, in the case of Cuba, highlighting the differences between the two approaches. A fourth part concludes with some reflections on the relevance today of structuralism and Kalecki’s view of economic development.
Topic:
Finance, Economic Development, Imports, Land Reform, and Structuralist Economics
Political Geography:
Global Focus

258. The New Geopolitics and South Asia’s Trade Architecture – What Next?

Author:
Ganeshan Wignaraja, Amit Bhandari, and Aliasger Bootwalla
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations
Abstract:
Geopolitics is increasingly intertwined with the economic destiny of South Asia. Even before the U.S. tariffs were rolled out, growing polycrises had hit the global economy, which has been struggling since the pandemic. South Asia seems a relatively bright spark of regional trade and growth. This paper analyses South Asia’s trade architecture in the backdrop of a sluggish world economy in the 2020s, and makes recommendations for closer regional economic integration.
Topic:
Economics, Geopolitics, Economic Growth, Tariffs, and Trade
Political Geography:
South Asia and United States of America

259. The Yemen Review Quarterly: April-June 2025

Author:
Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Sana'a Center For Strategic Studies
Abstract:
On May 6, the US abruptly suspended its air campaign against the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) as President Donald Trump announced a surprise ceasefire. Both sides reportedly agreed to stop targeting one another; each, unsurprisingly, declared victory. From its outset, the 52-day-long air campaign known as “Operation Rough Rider” was beset by problems when plans were accidentally leaked to a US journalist. A rumored ground offensive by anti-Houthi ground forces failed to materialize amid squabbling between domestic partners, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and limited commitment from the US. With high operational costs, rising civilian casualties, and domestic apathy, the campaign was wrapped up with little ceremony. Houthi military capacity, while weakened, appears to remain largely intact. Despite the conclusion of US operations, the Houthis’ military confrontation with Israel remained active. The group’s missile and drone attacks on targets in Israel provoked outsized retaliation – Israeli airstrikes severely damaged several ports in Hudaydah, jeopardizing the delivery of humanitarian aid. In Sana’a, the main airport was rendered inoperable, all civilian aircraft at the airport were destroyed, and factories and energy infrastructure were also hit. The Houthis scaled back their operations during the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in June, but hostilities have since resumed in earnest. The group also returned to targeting commercial shipping, sinking two vessels in deadly attacks in the first week of July. Whether this will provoke further US or international action remains unclear. Yemen’s humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as aid cuts, sanctions, and US and Israeli airstrikes take a toll on what’s left of the economy. The US, which funded over half of Yemen’s 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, suspended nearly all aid in April, and cuts to USAID have affected a number of implementing partners and other organizations. Food insecurity is worsening across the country, and the cost of a Minimum Food Basket (MFP) increased by 37 percent in government areas as the government struggles to contain the ongoing devaluation of the rial, which has hit a succession of record lows amid a lack of foreign currency reserves.
Topic:
Houthis, Humanitarian Crisis, and Ceasefire
Political Geography:
Middle East and Yemen

260. Current Status of ASEAN Data Governance and Its Implications for the Digital Economy Framework Agreement

Author:
Shota Watanabe, Ema Ogura, and Keita Oikawa
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
The transition to data-driven societies has heightened the importance of balancing the free flow of data with robust data protection for privacy, intellectual property, trade secrets, and national security. While different countries have introduced various data governance frameworks, including comprehensive privacy laws, differences in regulations across borders hinder data flow, increasing compliance costs and limiting business expansion, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The concept of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT), introduced at the G20 in 2019, aims to address this balance by promoting interoperability while respecting national sovereignty. In ASEAN, however, regulatory fragmentation further complicates cross-border data flow. Variations in data localisation policies and personal data governance amongst ASEAN Member States (AMS) create significant challenges for businesses. For instance, differences in requirements for sensitive data, data subject rights, and security measures necessitate additional compliance efforts for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. Moreover, non-personal data regulations, such as restrictions on supply chain and research and development (R&D) data sharing or mandatory technology transfers, impede global R&D collaboration and discourage investment in certain countries. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of data-related regulations in ASEAN and proposes policy recommendations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), set for 2025. It highlights the need for transparency, regulatory alignment, and various mechanisms to ensure smoother cross-border data flow, ultimately fostering regional digital integration.
Topic:
Treaties and Agreements, Economy, ASEAN, and Data Governance
Political Geography:
Asia