The ability to accommodate larger ships will likely increase shipping efficiency by taking advantage of economies of scale.

The Panama Canal's scheduled expansion may lead to a change in trade routes.

Stratfor Europe Analyst Adriano Bosoni discusses the hurdles Croatia and other Balkan states face in their attempt to join the European Union.

China needs African resources to sustain its domestic economy, and the projects in Africa provide a destination for excess Chinese labor.

Pretoria is attempting to expand its regional influence by investing in projects across the continent.

Stratfor's Chief Geopolitical Analyst Robert D. Kaplan discusses the U.S. National Intelligence Council's findings that Asia will overtake the United States and Europe in terms of global power by 2030 and that Asia's regional stability is not guaranteed.

The drought has increased tensions between water demand in the Missouri River basin and transport demand along the Mississippi River.

Stratfor examines the adverse economic effects on transportation costs due to lower water levels on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

Stratfor Europe analyst Adriano Bosoni discusses the growing geographic, political and economic divisions within Europe.

Stratfor Latin America Analyst Karen Hooper examines the regional effects of two Latin American trade blocs, the left-leaning Mercosur and the right-leaning Pacific Alliance.