The EU faces economic challenges due to geopolitical tensions and protectionism, affecting growth and investment. An analysis of global and EU capital flows up to mid-2024 shows concern over foreign direct investment and financial integration, threatened by the decline of intra-EU FDI.
Kyle Chan is a new researcher at the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, an expert in Chinese technology. He joined in 2025, and was a fellow at the Penn Project on the Future of US-China Relations. Previously, he researched at Princeton University and the RAND Corporation. He is interested in China’s technological development, highlighting learning, industrial policy and lessons for US technological competitiveness.
President Trump visited Kuala Lumpur to counter China’s economic influence in Southeast Asia, seeking to ensure the supply of rare earths and critical minerals. During the ASEAN Summit, he signed trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia, concerned about US tariffs and Chinese presence. The visit aimed to maintain US presence in the Indo-Pacific region and compete with China, despite ongoing economic and strategic uncertainties.
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza put the fragile truce at risk, with continuous attacks and ceasefire violations, increasing casualties and damage, and generating fear of new battles. Israel accuses Hamas of provocations, while Hamas denounces Israeli violations. The United States minimizes the risk of escalation. Tensions persist over the release of hostages. The economic and humanitarian situation worsens. Peace in the Middle East teeters between accusations and lack of progress. Uncertainty about the future of Gaza and the continuation of the truce prevails.
Serbia is in a double political and social captivity under the government of Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party, which controls institutions, media and corrupt practices. Student protests over corruption have opened a political opportunity, although the opposition and the student movement must articulate a democratic alternative to correct structural gaps such as corruption and governance.
