China's Central Plains region is flat, fertile and well connected to most of China's major coastal economic hubs.

Stratfor geopolitical analyst Karen Hooper explains how hurricanes can affect the U.S. economy and the city of New Orleans.

Numerous factors contribute to falling birthrates in South America.

The Kremlin is concerned because continuing to expand its budget depends on high oil prices -- something that cannot be reliably predicted.

Stratfor's Vice President of International Projects Jennifer Richmond discusses the challenges to Vietnam's economy in light of the recent arrest of a prominent financial tycoon.

Stratfor analyst Karen Hooper examines the effect of this summer's drought on global grain markets and discusses the political impact shortages could have on net importer nations.

Italy's informal economy is difficult to measure, but some metrics indicate that it has grown in recent years.

Stratfor Europe analyst Kristen Cooper discusses how illegal immigration crackdowns in Europe are symptomatic of much larger social and political tensions across the Continent.

Stratfor Tactical Analyst Ben West explains the reasons and process for money laundering in the United States and how it relates to the recent Standard Chartered Bank laundering scandal.

China has proposed or committed about $101 billion to commercial projects in Africa since 2010.