Our Insights
Featured Insights Selected by Our Experts
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Nature as National Asset: How the Middle East Is Turning Biodiversity into Economic Opportunity
By Basilinna Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO.
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Trump 2.0
Tholos Talks with The Trade Guys, Hosted by Jake E. Jennings
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China Economic Stimulus Tracker
A comprehensive timeline of announcements and policy actions implemented by the Chinese government to stimulate economic activity.
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When Mistakes Need a Manual: China’s Guidance on Acceptable Decision-making
By Deborah Lehr, Basilinna Chair and CEO
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Silicon and Sovereignty: What Trump’s AI Pact Means for the Gulf
Talking Points by the Basilinna Team
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Why Do Culture and Heritage Matter? with Irina Bokova
Tholos Talks with Irina Bokova, Hosted by Deborah Lehr
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Is Xi Jinping Undermining China’s Path to Tech Superiority?
By Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
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Making Acquisitions in the Public Affairs Sector: Lessons from Both Sides of the Table
By Leigh Wedell, President and COO
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Trade is No Longer a Way of Opening Up Markets
With Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
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From the Middle Kingdom to the Saudi Kingdom: Opportunities Abound
By Yasser Elnaggar, Chair of the Middle East and Africa
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The New Trump Administration: Perspective from China
Talking Points by Gracie Sun, Chair of Asia-Pacific
Explore all of our Insights, Interviews, Commentary, and More
Tourism and Biodiversity: Unlocking Value in the MENA Green Economy
September 22, 2025 | Basilinna Team
Tourism is already central to economies across the region, but its long-term value depends on protecting the natural assets that give destinations their identity.
From Blueprint to Reality: China Builds a Free Trade Island for Its Next Ambitious Opening Experiment
September 10, 2025 | Ruihan Huang, Director | Michael Wu, Senior Vice President
In December 2025, China will formally implement the independent customs operation of Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) (also referred to as “customs closure”), marking a turning point from policy planning to institutional execution.
Recovery Yet Cautious: China’s IPO Path in 2025
July 23, 2025 | Ruihan Huang, Director
China’s IPO market is showing early signs of recovery after a sharp regulatory-driven slowdown in 2024. While listing activity has picked up in 2025, the era of high-volume IPOs is unlikely to return, as financial regulators shift focus from rapid expansion to long-term value creation.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Hedging: Navigating Multipolarity through Quiet Power
July 22, 2025 | Basilinna Team
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has transitioned from an overzealous regional actor, engaging in armed conflicts and backing belligerent factions, toward a more measured and mature foreign policy posture. It now leverages its vast resources and the momentum of Vision 2030 to position itself as a key player on both the regional and global stage. Its leadership role in OPEC and OPEC+ has reinforced this emerging identity.
Rising Opportunities for Business: Key Takeaways from the 11th China-Arab Business Conference
June 3, 2025 | Basilinna Team
The 11th China-Arab Business Conference and 9th Investment Seminar of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum took place in Haikou, Hainan, from April 27–30, 2025, drawing over 1,000 political and business leaders from China and Arab countries.
Silicon and Sovereignty: What Trump’s AI Pact Means for the Gulf
May 30, 2025 | Basilinna Team
President Donald Trump’s recent four-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates highlighted a growing shift in U.S. foreign policy, one that prioritizes technology and artificial intelligence as key levers of influence in the Middle East.
Facing Trade Pressures, China Renews Its ‘Opening Up’ Pledges — But What Do They Really Mean?
May 5, 2025 | By The Basilinna Team
As global trade tensions rise and the U.S. escalates tariffs worldwide, especially against China, Beijing is taking a different path. Instead of retreating, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed during a March meeting with global business leaders that “China’s door to opening up will only become broader,” calling for the accelerated implementation of opening-up measures.
Mexico’s Trade Strategy After “Liberation Day”
April 24, 205 | Óscar Arcos, Executive Director
Mexico has emerged as a rare exception in President Trump’s aggressive new tariff regime, escaping new duties thanks to USMCA compliance. But that protection comes with evolving expectations. President Trump has reframed trade as a rolling performance review—layering geopolitical demands onto market access, competitive alignment, and the elimination of non-tariff barriers. As the U.S. redefines its trade posture, here’s businesses need to consider next.
U.S.-China Post-“Liberation Day” - What’s Ahead
April 7, 2025 | The Basilinna Team
The Administration’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement has already sparked retaliation and potential escalation with China, the world’s second-largest economy. While a tariff rate of an additional 34% was announced, combined with pre-existing tariffs, the rate came closer to the 60% that the President said he would impose during the campaign.
Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions, Strategic Alliances, and the Evolving Regional Tech Landscape
March 13, 2025 | The Basilinna Team
Saudi Arabia’s LEAP 2025 conference announced $14.9 billion in technology investments, marking a significant push toward advancing the Kingdom’s AI and digital infrastructure. While these investments align with Riyadh’s Vision 2030, their emphasis on AI, cloud computing, data centers, and semiconductors signals a deeper strategic shift. Saudi Arabia is not merely acquiring technology—it is positioning itself as a regional powerhouse in digital infrastructure.