The powerful political and geopolitical consequences of the conflict in the Middle East will extend far beyond the more immediate ones that this scenario aims to identify. This conflict is not an isolated incident, but rather it is part of a series of supply shocks (the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, Houthi attacks) that highlight critical dependencies on a few key chokepoints (eg, commodities...

The UK economy, still bearing the marks of the 2022 energy crisis, is confronting a fresh external supply shock stemming from the war in the Middle East. The economic situation prior to this conflict was fragile: GDP growth was still very modest in the second half of 2025; the unemployment rate had risen; and a surge in inflation eroded the household purchasing power against a backdrop of subdued wage...

Open and tightly integrated into international trade, Asian countries are exposed to the disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in the Gulf. Most of them have reacted quickly, worrying about the impact of the war on energy supplies and trade flows. 

According to Eurostat data, France’s GDP per capita, measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, comes in at 98% of the European average – fixed at 100 – putting it below the latter for the third year running. This is frequently portrayed in the media as a sign that the French economy is “stalling”. 

Like 2001 was for China (the year it joined the WTO), will 2026 turn out to have been a pivotal year in India’s trading history? The country, now the world’s fifth largest economy in GDP terms, remains a minor player in international trade (17th in terms of exports, accounting for 1.8% of total world exports). Due to a rather protectionist stance focused on its domestic market, particularly in...

With the Federal Reserve in the throes of an institutional crisis under pressure from Donald Trump, who has repeatedly attacked Fed Chair Jerome Powell with the aim of influencing monetary policy for political ends, it is essential to reiterate the importance of the principle of central bank independence.

UK inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rebounded in December, reaching 3.4% YoY, after 3.2% YoY in November. This figure is slightly above the consensus forecast of 3.3%, but below the Bank of England's (BoE) projection of 3.5% (which we also shared).

As the Year of the Fire Horse begins on 17 February, what can we expect from the Chinese economy in the coming months? In Chinese astrology, the sign of the horse is associated with strength and the natural desire to move forward, while the element of fire reflects energy and passion. After the Year of the Wood Snake (careful thought and subtlety), will the Year of the Fire Horse bring rapid change, bold...

In an uncertain environment posing challenges to competitiveness and unable to rely on external demand, European economies are managing to accelerate activity at a pace in line with their potential. Whether through measures to facilitate disinflation or support for private and public investment, fiscal stimulus is coming to the rescue, while central banks are taking a break, with inflation fully under...

It may appear surprising that the spectacular abduction by the United States of Nicolás Maduro – a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter – has unleashed only the faintest of financial shockwaves. Not only did markets easily absorb this event, they immediately wanted to know what would happen next. There has been no massive flight to safe assets, no financial dislocation, no lasting pressure on...