Political Economy and the Financial Crisis

India - Economic Protests
Economy: The Implications of Sovereign Credit Downgrades
February 26, 2009 1223 GMT
India’s long-term credit rating outlook has been cut from stable to negative, adding to the ranks of countries across the globe whose ratings have been downgraded. [more]
Dubai Construction I
Resentment Likely To Build in Gulf's Underclass
February 25, 2009 1141 GMT
As growth in the rich Arab states of the Persian Gulf plummets, the underclass of guest workers face the loss of work visas and repatriation — making them ideal targets for al Qaeda recruiters. [more]
Dubai - Expansion and Bust
Dubai: A Tarnished Image and Security Concerns
February 24, 2009 1338 GMT
As glittering Dubai accepts a bailout from its more conservative sister emirate, Abu Dhabi, questions center on autonomy issues and the fate of immigrant workers who are losing jobs in the Gulf region. Stratfor analysts foresee increased security risks ahead. [more]
Traders signal offers at the Chicago Board of Trade
Global Economy: An Examination of Commodities
February 10, 2009 2314 GMT
Certain commodities are indicative of the state of the global economy. While many have stabilized lately, some have not. [more]
The building of a Russian investment bank is reflected in a traffic safety mirror in Moscow
Russia: The International Ripple Effect of Domestic Financial Woes
February 10, 2009 2222 GMT
Russian banks and firms are about to hit a snag in repaying their debts to foreign banks -- a fact that will hit Europe's banks particularly hard. [more]
The Swiss parliament in Bern and a UBS sign in December 2008
Switzerland: Looking Deeper into the Economic Toolbox
January 23, 2009 1833 GMT
Switzerland's national bank is considering intervening in the currency markets in a way that Bern's eurozone neighbors would rather not see. [more]
People walk through the financial district of Raffles Place in Singapore
Singapore: Trying for 'Resilience' During a Recession
January 22, 2009 2122 GMT
The Singaporean Finance Ministry has announced a $13.7 billion stimulus package as fourth quarter 2008 statistics reveal the Southeast Asian city-state's economy is taking a severe beating. [more]
People waiting in line for a government job center to open in Madrid, Spain
EU: The Credit-Rating Challenge
January 16, 2009 1234 GMT
Various European nations face the prospect of seeing their credit ratings slashed. [more]
Factory worker in Berlin
Eurozone: The Economic Slowdown Deepens
January 9, 2009 1959 GMT
Economic statistics from Germany -- which is Europe's economic powerhouse -- suggest a collapse of demand across the eurozone. [more]
Youths gesture toward police in central Athens Dec. 8, 2008
Greece: Riots and the Global Financial Crisis
December 9, 2008 2213 GMT
Europe will be nervously watching rising social unrest in Greece. [more]
Geopolitical Diary icon
Geopolitical Diary: Rate Cuts Nearing the Bottom
December 5, 2008 0315 GMT
Four central banks in Europe lowered their benchmark interest rates on Thursday -- but now they are almost out of monetary policy options. [more]
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa waving from a car
Ecuador: Breaking the Seal on Debt Defaults
December 4, 2008 2331 GMT
Ecuador says it will default on a number of government bonds -- making it the first developing country to default in the present global economic crisis. [more]
Argentina - Fernandez supporters demonstrate
Argentina: Running Out of Runway
December 4, 2008 2041 GMT
Argentina’s government made several moves Dec. 4 that will have serious ramifications for the country’s struggling economy. [more]
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan
China, U.S.: Banking Tensions Amid the Global Recession
December 4, 2008 1837 GMT
Access to China's banking sector might be just one of many U.S.-Chinese tensions likely to arise amid the global recession. [more]
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkey's Footing in the Global Economic Crisis
November 26, 2008 2332 GMT
Turkey is feeling the effects of the global economic crisis, but it is stronger than it was seven years ago. [more]
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
European Union: An EU-Wide Stimulus Package Only in Name
November 26, 2008 2136 GMT
The EU plan accepts the fact that each member state will react to the global recession in the way it deems best. [more]
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Ben Bernanke
United States: Shifting Risk from the Treasury to the Fed
November 25, 2008 2024 GMT
The sticky parts of the U.S. bailout program have now been handed to the institution with the most capability for unfettered action. [more]
Pakistani currency trader with rupees
Pakistan: Grabbing the IMF Lifeline
November 25, 2008 1917 GMT
The International Monetary Fund approved Pakistan's much-needed US$7.6 billion loan on Nov. 25 - but the bailout could raise as many problems as it solves. [more]
Financial Crisis - Part 7
GCC States: Eyeing Opportunities in the Global Financial Crisis
November 25, 2008 1623 GMT
Oil wealth and responsible management mean the young economies of the Persian Gulf could weather the global financial storm well, despite the hurdles they face. (With Stratfor interactive map) [more]
German Chancellor Angela Merkel in front of the EU Flag
EU: A Stimulus Plan Germany Can Live With
November 21, 2008 2027 GMT
Germany has taken a stand against the inclusion of British-proposed Europe-wide tax and value-added tax cuts in a German-backed, Pan-EU economic stimulus package. [more]
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