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
Monitoring Report: 2026 Iran War
By the Basilinna team
As the war enters its fourth week, the news has been dominated by the sudden emergence of a possible diplomatic track. The United States, working through regional mediators including Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye, is waiting on Iran’s response to a proposed high-level summit that could take place as soon as this week.
Tech and Trade Strategic Insights: Beyond the Headlines
By Jake E. Jennings, Chair of Technology and Trade
AI Procurement Is a National Security Variable: The Anthropic ruling signals that federal agencies may use supply chain risk designations to enforce operational requirements on AI providers, raising the stakes for any technology firm negotiating model guardrails or defense contract terms.
Monitoring Report: 2026 Iran War
By the Basilinna team
As the war enters its third week, the most immediate concern is the rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, where reduced Western tanker traffic, rising insurance costs, and ongoing security risks are raising questions about how — and whether — confidence in transit through the corridor can be restored.
Iran, The Days After: The Succession
By the Basilinna team
The killing of the Supreme Leader eliminates Iran’s ultimate arbiter and introduces near-term volatility, but the Islamic Republic of Iran retains institutional redundancies in its leadership system.
Saudi Arabia’s Washington Visit: A New Chapter in a Strategic Economic Partnership
By Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent visit to Washington represents a turning point in the U.S.–Saudi relationship. While the headlines focused on major geostrategic outcomes—advancing the sale of the F-35, deeper cooperation on emerging technologies, and renewed attention to regional stability including Sudan—the foundation of the visit was unmistakably economic.
Tourism and Biodiversity: Unlocking Value in the MENA Green Economy
By the 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.
Nature as National Asset: How the Middle East Is Turning Biodiversity into Economic Opportunity
September 5, 2025 | Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
For decades, the Middle East’s biodiversity was overlooked—not because it lacked value, but because that value was not fully recognized. Today, countries across the region are reframing nature as a strategic national asset.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Hedging: Navigating Multipolarity through Quiet Power
July 22, 2025 | Ambassador Yasser Elnaggar, Chair of Middle East and Africa
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.