International Trade and Investment
The government of Venezuela wields a powerful tool in its control of the state’s energy reserves. President Maduro is unlikely to give up this revenue-producing gem and give in to public demands, which will lead to greater political unrest. As a result, the state-owned enterprise is a tense focal point of both the government and its opposition. Continued instability in Venezuela is not only a detriment to Latin America, but to the global energy market as well.
As Puerto Rico barrels toward a default on $70 billion in public debt, investors and politicians are concerned about how to save the U.S. territory. Historical prescriptions to avoid a default are not feasible within the current law. The inevitability of default in Puerto Rico renders the timing of the default instrumental in determining the island’s economic future.
Political debates and media coverage of the quantitative easing program have ignored the policy’s effects on the global economy. However, the choices made in upcoming meetings of the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee will have tremendous consequences in emerging markets.
Bitcoin is a potential nightmare for security policymakers who are already struggling to keep pace with the problems posed by the Internet age.
Energy reform would positively affect Mexico's economy and upstream oil production capacity, strengthen U.S. energy security, and provide greater opportunities for energy development and trade in North America.
