Economics & Business |
The Rise of Scam Centers in Southeast Asia
Amid regional instability and upheaval, scam centers have proliferated throughout Southeast Asia. Externally, most scam centers are nearly inconspicuous, appearing as industrial parks or office buildings. Internally, however, they have accommodated cybercrime that has cost individuals and institutions billions of dollars across the world. They have also facilitated the trafficking of hundreds of thousands of human beings. This scale of cybercrime was only possible due to the current globalized economy. Globalization unintentionally enabled scam centers to expand beyond borders, giving criminal actors new ways to secure profit and influence. Brief by Jackson Kvam 5/26/2026 |
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How DPPA Addresses Vietnam’s Environmental Challenges in EV Development
Vietnam's DPPA offers a promising pathway to develop a domestic clean-energy-based charging infrastructure. However, policy gaps and legal hurdles stalling progress must be resolved. Only then will the country be able to fully address environmental concerns from EV development. Policy Analysis by Hailey Huynh 1/8/2026 |
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Microfinance and the Feminization of Debt in Cambodia
Microfinance has transformed from a tool of female empowerment into one of gendered financial vulnerability in Cambodia. Here is how it can be fixed. Policy Recommendation by Aisha Rana 11/19/2025 |
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Implications of Egypt and Algeria's Economic Diversification for their Green Transition
Egypt and Algeria are seeking to alleviate their heavy reliance on the oil sector by expanding their use of renewable energy. Whether they succeed in enacting meaningful reforms in their energy sectors will depend heavily on their ability to diversify their economies. Policy Recommendation by Zaara Mohammed & Waab Abdalla 7/23/2025 |
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US Sovereign Wealth Fund and Debt-Associated Risk
On February 3, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order for the creation of a US Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). A US SWF would face unique challenges in relation to the US’s current budget deficit and $36 trillion USD in debt. Policy Analysis by Henry Dirckx 4/21/2025 |
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Navigating Trade Amidst US Protectionist Policies: Suggestions for Small-Open States
The world’s largest consumer market, the United States, is imposing tariffs and restrictions on countries employing unfair trade and industry practices. Small-open states can no longer adopt the East Asian development model without thinking twice about the implications for their trade and industrial strategies. Policy Recommendation by Max Cheung 1/9/2025 |
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Supply Chains and Friend-shoring
Current trends in globalization offer new benefits for the US, its allies, and developing nations alike. Policy Recommendation by Peter Poliakov 4/29/2023 |
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Russia's Arctic Dreams Remain on Ice
Russia's plan to develop the Northern Sea Route shipping lane involves more than just building new ports. Commentary by Rino Hamanishi 1/28/2023 |
Mission Statement
Analyzing developing economies and international commerce
RESEARCH FOCUS: AN ERA OF DEGLOBALIZATION?
Since the Trump administration came into power, tariffs and transactional dealmaking have eroded the globalized and somewhat cooperative economic system. This division has not only created chaos in the global supply chain but has also exacerbated existing inequalities, making the rich richer and the poor poorer. The 2026-2027 research team encourages articles that emphasize the impacts of a shifting global order on global supply chains, but also the individuals impacted by economic decisions.
Since the Trump administration came into power, tariffs and transactional dealmaking have eroded the globalized and somewhat cooperative economic system. This division has not only created chaos in the global supply chain but has also exacerbated existing inequalities, making the rich richer and the poor poorer. The 2026-2027 research team encourages articles that emphasize the impacts of a shifting global order on global supply chains, but also the individuals impacted by economic decisions.