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Algeria will closely monitor religious practices

Location:

ALGERIA

In February and before the holy month of Ramadan (March 10-April 9), President Abdelmadjid Tebboune formally inaugurated with much fanfare the Grand Mosque of Algiers, the world’s…

US allies will worry about Trump's Asia policies

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UNITED STATES

Democrats and Republicans largely share the assessment that China poses the greatest challenge to US interests globally. The Biden administration retained Trump’s strong tariff…

Trade will tighten Gulf-South Korea relations

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GULF STATES/SOUTH KOREA

Previously, in December 2023, South Korea signed a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), only the bloc’s second with a major…

Diamond sanctions will have a modest impact on Russia

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RUSSIA

The ban will be extended by the end of the year to include diamonds polished in third countries, lab-grown diamonds, as well as jewellery and watches containing diamonds. The new…

Opposition win portends policy gridlock in Seoul

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SOUTH KOREA

The ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP) will take scant consolation from avoiding an opposition supermajority, as it needed a win to take control of the assembly and…

Switzerland will be slow to harden its China position

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SWITZERLAND/CHINA

Among the priorities in the declaration is updating the Swiss-Chinese free trade agreement (FTA) and simplifying travel procedures between the two countries. Switzerland’s…

US trade exposure to China will remain high

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CHINA/UNITED STATES

In January-November, imports of Chinese goods dropped more than 20% year-on-year. China’s share of total US imports plunged to 13.9% from 16.7% in the same period in 2022, while…

Biden is embedding foreign policy in re-election bid

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US

Biden gave unusual prominence to foreign policy topics when laying out his main priorities for this year. Emphasising differences on foreign policy will be a central aspect of his…

Sri Lanka’s leader looks set for tough poll fight

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SRI LANKA

According to the constitution, the presidential contest must take place in September-October, but parliamentary elections are not due until 2025. President Ranil Wickremesinghe…

Outlook is bright for key leftist leader in Sri Lanka

Location:

SRI LANKA

According to the constitution, the poll must take place in September-October. The JVP was formed as a Marxist-Leninist party. Recent opinion polling suggests Dissanayake would be…