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
CFIUS, Export Controls, and the New Era of Economic Security
October 30, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
In episode eight of our Tholos Talks series that unpacks the defining economic challenges of the 21st century — Coffee, Trade, and Tech — Jake is joined by Alexis Early to explore how export controls, CFIUS, and ICTS regulations have become central to U.S. economic security. Together, they discuss how these tools shape global investment, supply chains, and access to technology.
From Compliance to Competitive Edge
October 9, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
In episode seven of our Tholos Talks series that unpacks the defining economic challenges of the 21st century — Coffee, Trade, and Tech — Jake is joined by Caitlin Fennessy to explore one of the most pressing economic challenges of the 21st century: data privacy. Together, they unpack the future of global privacy frameworks, the U.S.–EU Data Privacy Framework, and the critical intersection of AI and privacy governance.
The Latchford Network and Following the Trail of Loot
September 10, 2025 | Hosted by Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
Deborah welcomes back Tess Davis, Executive Director of The Antiquities Coalition, to discuss the story of Douglas Latchford, a notorious antiquities trafficker, and why his story is central to understanding the global illicit antiquities trade. The conversation explores Latchford’s background, how he built a vast smuggling network over a 50-year criminal career, and the devastating impact of his actions on Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
What Is The Promise of AI?
August 18, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
In episode six of our Tholos Talks series that unpacks the defining economic challenges of the 21st century — Coffee, Trade, and Tech — Jake is joined by Kendra Schaefer, Partner and Head of Tech Policy Research at Trivium China, and Basilinna Senior Fellow for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI, digital trade policy, and China’s position in the global tech race.
Digital Sovereignty and the New Trade Order
June 12, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
In episode five of our Tholos Talks series that unpacks the defining economic challenges of the 21st century — Coffee, Trade, and Tech — Jake welcomes Sabina Ciofu, Associate Director - International at techUK, to discuss the evolving landscape of digital trade policy.
The Future of USMCA and Regional Trade Dynamics
May 29, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
In episode four of Coffee, Trade, and Tech, Jake welcomes Ryan C. Berg, Director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to discuss the evolving dynamics of U.S. trade policy and regional strategy in the Western Hemisphere
Recovering Looted Artifacts and Turning the Tide on Antiquities Trafficking
May 27, 2025 | Hosted by Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
In episode four of Understanding the Thriving Trade in Looted Antiquities — a Tholos Talks series that explores the global repercussions of the antiquities trade — Deborah talks to JP Labbat, a leading expert in cultural heritage protection, to discuss the evolving fight against antiquities trafficking and the recovery of stolen artifacts.
Heritage in Crisis: The Changing Role of Museums
May 15, 2025 | Hosted by Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
In episode three of Understanding the Thriving Trade in Looted Antiquities — a Tholos Talks series exploring the global repercussions of the antiquities trade — Deborah welcomes Richard Kurin, an American cultural anthropologist, museum official, and author, to discuss the evolving role of museums in preserving heritage, combating the illicit trade in antiquities, and serving as vital sources of public knowledge.
Decoding U.S., China, and Latin America Dynamics
May 12, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
In episode three of Coffee, Trade, and Tech — the Tholos Talks series that unpacks the defining economic challenges of the 21st century — Jake joins Margaret Myers, Managing Director for Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF) at The John Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Basilinna Senior Fellow to decode the complex relationships between countries in the Latin America region, the United States, and China.
Semiconductors and the Global Economy
April 21, 2025 | Hosted by Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
Jake sits down with John Neuffer, President and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, to explore the complexity of the global semiconductor market. They discuss how the industry has been shaped by America First trade policies, how semiconductor trade will influence U.S.-China relations, and the urgent challenges facing the semiconductor workforce.