United States

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

A North Dakota jury found environmental protection group Greenpeace liable for defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy and other acts over protests in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access Pipeline, ordering Greenpeace to pay more than $600 million in damages to pipeline developer Energy Transfer, AP reported on March 19.

U.S.: Greenpeace Ordered To Pay $660M in Damages Over Dakota Access Pipeline Defamation Case

South Africa

Europe

Economics

Politics

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union would provide a 4.7 billion euro ($5.1 billion) funding package for South Africa's healthcare sector, Just Energy Transition Partnership projects, and connectivity and transport corridors, Daily Maverick reported on March 13. 

South Africa: EU Announces $5B Package, Start of Negotiations for Trade Partnership  

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans on March 12 to roll back Biden- and Obama-era environmental regulations in what he called the biggest deregulation day in U.S. history.

U.S.: EPA Unveils Action Plan To Roll Back Environmental Regulations

China

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, or ICBC, the world's largest lender by assets and one of China's "Big Five" state-owned banks, launched an 80 billion yuan ($11 billion) fund to support innovation in "hard technology" -- e.g. advanced manufacturing and chips -- via equity investment, Reuters reported on March 12.

China: Hard Tech Push Yields ICBC Innovation Fund, With More Banks To Follow

Indonesia

Singapore

Vietnam

Military & Security

Vietnam upgraded ties with Indonesia and Singapore to comprehensive strategic partnerships, Indonesia's and Vietnam's top designation short of an alliance and a label of similar importance to Singapore, Nikkei Asia reported on March 12. 

Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam: Diplomatic Upgrades Strengthen Industry and Trade Ties

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The U.S. State Department said it was "open" to discussing a partnership with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on critical minerals, Bloomberg reported on March 4. 

Congo: Trump Administration 'Open' To Minerals Deal With Kinshasa 

Authorities in Singapore charged two Singaporeans and one Chinese national for allegedly defrauding U.S. tech company Nvidia Corp. by illicitly shipping its semiconductors to China, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 28.

Singapore, China: Singapore Charges Three Men Over Chip Transfers to China

Pakistan

According to Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, an International Monetary Fund mission will visit Pakistan the week of March 3 for discussions ahead of the first review of the $7 billion bailout program, which is scheduled for March, Reuters reported on Feb. 26.

Pakistan: IMF Mission To Visit Ahead of First Bailout Review

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

Cyber

_Energy

Environmental Issues

Globalization

The 4th Industrial Revolution

Assessments

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

Germany

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. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

Global Elections

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

Social Issues

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

India

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? 

Essential Geopolitics: Unpacking China's Salt Typhoon Operation

U.S.-China Relations

Iran

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Syria

Turkey

North Korea

Ukraine

Russia

As 2025 approaches, we look back at the previous year and consider the top five events as measured by geopolitical impact.

2024: A Geopolitical Review

Water utilities are uniquely vulnerable to cyberattacks due to frequent financial and security limitations, exposing water-stressed countries to threats from hacktivists and foreign adversaries.

 The Geopolitics of Water: Cyberattacks' Impact on Water Stress in the U.S. and Beyond

Algeria

Morocco

Tunisia

North Africa will struggle to combat its worsening drought amid overconsumption, mismanagement and technological shortcomings.

The Geopolitics of Water: A Prolonged Drought Dries Up North Africa's Resources

Environment, Science & Technology

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Greenpeace Ordered To Pay $660M in Damages Over Dakota Access Pipeline Defamation Case

South Africa: EU Announces $5B Package, Start of Negotiations for Trade Partnership

U.S.: EPA Unveils Action Plan To Roll Back Environmental Regulations

China: Hard Tech Push Yields ICBC Innovation Fund, With More Banks To Follow

Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam: Diplomatic Upgrades Strengthen Industry and Trade Ties

Congo: Trump Administration 'Open' To Minerals Deal With Kinshasa

Singapore, China: Singapore Charges Three Men Over Chip Transfers to China

Pakistan: IMF Mission To Visit Ahead of First Bailout Review

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