From global think tanks
The analyses published here do not necessarily reflect the strategic thinking of The Global Eye
Today’s about : Central Asia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia-China, US, Davos 2025 (all the sessions)
Central Asia
(Richard Pomfret – East Asia Forum)
Central Asia demonstrated growing autonomy and economic resilience in 2024, marked by robust GDP growth and deepening regional cooperation. While maintaining balanced relations with Russia and China, the five states strengthened ties with Azerbaijan, Turkiye and the EU through major infrastructure initiatives like the Middle Corridor. Even amid domestic political challenges, Central Asian leaders are successfully navigating complex geopolitical currents while advancing economic integration. – Power shifts and progress in Central Asia | East Asia Forum
Indonesia
(Adi Abidin – East Asia Forum)
Prabowo Subianto has packed over 100 individuals into his presidential cabinet, marking a swift and aggressive consolidation of power. His strategy lies in neutralising opposition and surrounding himself with trusted confidants. But Prabowo’s expansive cabinet risks undermining Indonesia’s democratic trajectory, fostering a culture based on loyalty over competence and potentially endangering crucial checks and balances needed for democratic governance. – Is Prabowo’s 100-Minister cabinet a step towards autocracy? | East Asia Forum
Southeast Asia – China
(Terence Lee – East Asia Forum)
A March 2023 survey of 500 Southeast Asian elites reveals resistance and ambivalence towards a China-led regional order. While China wields substantial economic influence, Southeast Asian elites prefer ASEAN’s leadership and democratic values over Beijing’s hierarchical model. China’s assertive behaviour in the South China Sea and use of economic coercion have undermined its appeal and authority in the region. – Southeast Asian elites resist a China-led regional order | East Asia Forum
US
(Brianna Lee, Diana Roy – Council on Foreign Relations)
President Trump’s day one actions include executive orders aimed at bolstering security along the southern border and restricting asylum access. Here’s how U.S. immigration policy has evolved over the last seven decades. – Timeline: U.S. Postwar Immigration Policy
(William A. Galston, Elaine Kamarck – Brookings)
The speech celebrated the broadening of the Republican coalition that Trump has achieved. Trump promised to declare a national emergency at the southern border, reinstate the remain in Mexico policy, end the practice of catch and release, send troops to the southern border, and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. In addition to the war at the southern border, Trump promised to wage a culture war, which he termed a “revolution of common sense.” – Trump’s second inaugural address: Immigration, culture, and conflict
(Robert E. Litan, Peter M. Shane – Brookings)
Among President Donald Trump’s major preoccupations throughout the 2024 campaign was an oft-repeated desire to “demolish” the “deep state.”. He aims to reduce not only the army of civil servants throughout the federal government but also the volume of regulation. Frustration with the sheer volume and scope of federal regulation is understandable. Over the decades, the Code of Federal Regulations has mushroomed to over 180,000 pages. Regulations affect how virtually everything is produced or delivered in our economy. In some cases, their complexity, especially when layered on top of local rules, can make it difficult to build new and much-needed infrastructure, such as transmission power lines. – Trump’s regulatory housecleaning won’t be easy
Davos 2025
(WEF)
A conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(WEF)
A conversation with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(WEF)
A conversation with Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Viet Nam – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(WEF)
A special address by Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Godfrey Mutizwa, Leila Fourie, Duma Gideon Boko, Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Samaila Zubairu – WEF)
With the promise of the African Free Trade Continental Area, an abundance of renewable energy sources and a boom in innovation hubs, the African continent has a unique opportunity to transform the future of its young and fast-growing population, which is estimated to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. How can Africa use this significant momentum to fully reach its economic potential? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Gideon Rachman, Ulf Kristersson, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, General Christopher G. Cavoli, Alexander Stubb – WEF)
After years of underinvestment, military spending in Western and Central Europe is now higher than at the end of the Cold War, reaching €350 billion in 2024, while defence policy discussions are increasingly travelling from jealously guarded national capitals to the corridors of Brussels. With the transatlantic alliance no longer ironclad and threats mounting on the continent and its near-abroad, what could a true European defence strategy look like? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Nader Mousavizadeh, Nir Bar Dea, Hadley Gamble, Yuliia Svyrydenko – WEF)
Mentions of “reshoring” on corporate earnings calls at end-2023 rose by 270% year on year, signalling growing consideration in the private sector of current geopolitical fragmentation. With global tensions unlikely to ease in the coming years, how are companies considering their practices and what are they doing to prepare for potential challenges? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Milton Cheng, Haslinda Amin, Pichai Naripthaphan, Gan Kim Yong, Martha Sazon, Angela Wang Nan – WEF)
The rise of AI and other emerging technologies has the potential to catapult Asia-Pacific from the industrial era into the Intelligent Age, where the region will need to chart a new path outside the comfort of pursuing tried and tested growth models. What measures are necessary for countries in Asia to remain competitive and how can the region reap the benefits of this new era while leaving no country behind? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Luana Génot, Ebru Özdemir, Katy Talikowska, Jochen Wegner, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland – WEF)
Inclusive business strategies and economic policy targeting workforces, suppliers and companies’ broader ecosystems have in recent years emerged as increasingly mission-critical for business performance in all parts of the globe. In an era when innovation, adaptability and resilience are paramount, how are new champions of inclusive leadership reshaping the future of economic growth and competitiveness across the world? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Jennifer Morris, Sumant Sinha, Maisa Rojas Corradi – WEF)
COP29 marked a significant milestone with the operationalization of a global carbon credit market under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. These rules will improve transparency and credibility in carbon trading, offering a foundation for a more consistent global pricing framework. Building on this progress, how can we ensure that the advancements made at COP29 lead to a truly global and effective carbon pricing system that fosters greater government and private sector participation? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(George Kurtz, Öykü Işık, George Oliver, John Defterios – WEF)
Some 75% of organizations report an erosion of customer trust following a cyber incident, with damaging effect to business performance and brand reputation. What are the best collaborative and most responsible approaches to build and maintain trust before, during and post crisis? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Elizabeth Shuler, Blake Moret, Melanie Amann, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk – WEF)
Strikes, talent shortages and disruptions have persisted in key industries in 2024. At the same time, the rewiring of global supply chains presents new opportunities for growth in technology, energy and other critical industries. Following a year of consequential national elections, what is the way forward for business leaders, policy-makers and labour leaders to work together to drive stronger growth for business and the workers of today and tomorrow? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Elina Valtonen, Børge Brende, Yusuf Tuggar, José Manuel Albares Bueno – WEF)
As the geopolitical landscape undergoes profound transformation, global stability and security continue to deteriorate, with rising tensions and the highest number of state-based conflicts recorded in the past 75 years. What diplomatic approaches can leaders take amid today’s complex geopolitical environment to address immediate security and economic challenges while advancing progress on long-term global priorities? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Joo-Ok Lee, Christophe De Vusser, Di Dai, Anwar Ibrahim – WEF)
The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with ASEAN leaders, unveils the latest insights into South-East Asia’s burgeoning digital economy. With ASEAN’s digital economy projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030 and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 on the horizon, this session addresses the strategies and challenges shaping the region’s economic future. – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Fatoumata Ba, Paula Ingabire, Karen Tso, Strive Masiyiwa, Robert F. Smith – WEF)
As technologies reshape our world, the digital divide risks deepening unless urgent action is taken. To ensure everyone can benefit from the intelligent age, we need to take practical steps to bridge digital gaps. What innovative solutions ensure that the future of technology is accessible to all and digital inclusion remains at the heart of global progress? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Sara Pantuliano, Comfort Ero, Sir Robin Niblett, Tom Fletcher, Hashim Shawa – WEF)
With over 2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, the UN estimates that the impacts of war have set back development in Gaza by as much as 69 years. What steps should decision-makers take to improve humanitarian access and start on a path to early recovery? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Rich Lesser, Brian Moynihan, James Quincey, Gerard Baker, Vicki Hollub – WEF)
The US Federal Reserve has embarked on an easing cycle, cutting its main policy rate in September for the first time since 2020 and suggesting that the US economy is heading for a soft landing. However, consumers remain concerned about inflation and the cost of living. What are the prospects for the US economy and what are the elements that will drive the economic recovery as the incoming administration develops its policies for the world’s largest economy to pursue in 2025? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Edith Heard, Jelena Begovic, Sarah Reisinger, George Yancopoulos – WEF)
Despite the 10% success rate for commercial biotech, bio-innovation remains uniquely positioned to address society’s biggest challenges in healthcare, manufacturing and energy. What is the benefit of applying bio-innovation to commercial applications and how can industry better respond to the demands of these challenges? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Valérie Urbain, Iain Williamson, Alison Snyder, David Vélez, Hisham Alrayes, Julio Velarde – WEF)
Enthusiasm for AI, quantum computing and other emerging technologies in financial services is high, with AI investments alone projected to reach $45 billion in 2024. However, the rapid pace of technological change is straining financial institutions and the broader financial system. How can financial services firms adapt to the new pace of change and fully capitalize on technological advancements? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Miguel Medina, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Amy Pope, Sasha Vakulina – WEF)
While some estimate that migration could help generate over $20 trillion a year in economic output by 2050, others worry about the financial and systemic pressure it can put governments and local communities. – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Jim Rowan, Olivier Blum, Andy Beshear, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Damilola Ogunbiyi, Elisabeth Reynolds – WEF)
Industrial decarbonization, driven both by technological innovations and policy mandates, is increasingly being viewed by manufacturers not as a trade-off between sustainability and profit but as a pathway to achieve financial success while making positive environmental contributions. What actions and collaborations are required to make a compelling business case for net zero for companies of all sizes? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Johan Rockström, Gim Huay Neo, Sherry Madera – WEF)
For the first time, an analysis of the climate progress of global businesses representing two-thirds of global market capitalization will be presented, assessing the state of private sector action in addressing the nature and climate emergency. This session explores the latest scientific findings on planetary health and how to use them to drive greater transparency, accountability and comparability on corporate actors’ nature and climate action and commitments. – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Daniel Roth, Ben Smith, Mina Al-Oraibi, James Harding – WEF)
As the global media landscape evolves, traditional newsrooms face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. People increasingly seek information from diverse sources, with digital platforms and social media redefining how news is consumed. How are the ways of consuming and interacting with media evolving and what does the industry’s future look like? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Wen Shugang, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Luc Rémont, Kirsty Gogan, Ebba Busch, Darryl White – WEF)
The declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050 has been supported by public and private sector stakeholders who view nuclear as a key solution to achieve net-zero and energy transition goals. How can momentum be turned into action to rapidly scale up the world’s nuclear capacity? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Riken Yamamoto, Hans Ulrich Obrist – WEF)
A conversation with renowned architect and 2025 Crystal Award recipient Riken Yamamoto on how his design and approaches are redefining architecture’s role in improving lives, uplifting communities and protecting the planet. – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(André Esteves, Simon Freakley, Rebeca Grynspan, Rania Al-Mashat, Kathleen Kingsbury, Muhammad Aurangzeb – WEF)
Since 2010, global public debt has grown twice as fast in developing economies than in developed ones. While global growth remains slow, shifts in monetary policies could provide some relief to countries with the greatest debt burden. What actions can governments and lenders take to ensure sustainable debt levels that allow for a strong and resilient economy? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(John Morrison, Theresa May – WEF)
As forced labour continues to affect people worldwide, emerging datasets offer critical insights into its scope and impact. This session assesses the strengths and limitations of current data, identifying areas of progress and ongoing gaps and how leaders can leverage this information to drive meaningful, lasting change. The Global Situation Space combines NASA time-lapse satellite imagery and geospatial and econometric data with predictive modelling. – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Sherry Madera, Mads Christensen, Jaime Ho, Cenk Alper – WEF)
Industries rely significantly on nature while, at the same time, those resources are declining due to overuse and climate change. With nearly 55% of global GDP highly dependent on natural assets, aligning carbon, water and biodiversity credits can not only unlock financing to protect ecosystems but also support those who manage them. What policy incentives and business innovation are needed to scale nature markets? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Silja Baller, Katherine Garrett-Cox, Michael Ensser, Anna Bjerde, Lutfey Siddiqi, Leela de Kretser – WEF)
The World Bank calculates that by closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship, global GDP could increase by 20%. What workforce and capital strategies have the greatest potential to advance gender parity as an engine for new, high-quality growth? – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
(Daniel Susskind, Mehreen Khan – WEF)
Over the past two centuries, economic growth has freed billions from the struggle for subsistence and made our lives healthier and longer. Yet prosperity has come at a price, from the rise of inequalities to environmental impact. Join economist Daniel Susskind for an exploration of the past, present and future of growth to shed light on common misconceptions and inspire new thinking on the kind of growth we need today. – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 | World Economic Forum
