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
Mexico’s Trade Strategy After “Liberation Day”
April 24, 2025 | 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.
Beyond The Conflict, The Gaza Reconstruction Plan and Its Global Impact
March 12, 2025 | The Basilinna Team
Following the destruction in Gaza, two competing visions for its future emerged. The Trump administration initially proposed placing Gaza under U.S. control, forcibly relocating its Palestinian residents, and transforming the area into a luxury destination. Framed as a long-term solution, this plan was widely condemned as a violation of international law, dismissing Palestinian sovereignty and ignoring regional security complexities.
Key Takeaways from China’s Two Sessions
March 12, 2025 | The Basilinna Team
China’s Two Sessions are underway – their annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and adjacent Chinese People’s Political Consultative Congress (CPPCC). The sessions do not usually break news, that’s usually done in the major Party meetings, but they do underscore the strategy and provide some notable updates.
Driving Digital Transformation: Saudi Arabia's Giant LEAP
February 4, 2025 | The Basilinna Institute
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a comprehensive strategy to diversify its economy and solidify its position as a global technology and innovation hub. A cornerstone of this vision is the development of a world-class digital infrastructure to support both public and private sector transformation. Key investments are being made in AI, cloud computing, smart cities, and cybersecurity.
Foundations for the Future: Saudi Arabia’s Infrastructure Leap
December 19, 2024 | Basilinna Team
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its infrastructure transformation with an ambitious vision for the future. In 2024, the Kingdom allocated $17.3 billion to infrastructure development, with spending projected to rise to $21.3 billion by 2025. Central to this transformation are monumental projects that aim to redefine urban development, transportation, and sustainability.
Protecting Heritage through Partnership: Why U.S. Antiquities CPAs are Essential for At-Risk Nations
December 16, 2024 | Deborah Lehr, Chair and CEO
In a world where cultural artifacts can be plundered from archaeological sites, whisked away across borders, and then laundered onto the black market within just days or even hours, nations need robust, collaborative strategies to fight back. The United States has taken a step toward addressing this problem by signing cultural property agreements (CPAs) with countries threatened by the illicit antiquities trade.
Syria’s New Cabinet: A Free-Market Vision Amid Uncertainty
December 13, 2025 | Basilinna Team
Syria’s interim government, formed after the collapse of the Assad regime, has announced plans to transition to a free-market economy. Led by Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir and backed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the administration is dismantling decades of state-controlled trade practices.
The Overnight Collapse of the Assad Regime: A New Era for Syria and the Middle East
December 8, 2024 | The Basilinna Team
The unexpected and rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has reshaped the Middle East overnight. Rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), advanced from their stronghold in Idlib, capturing Aleppo, Hama, and Homs before isolating Damascus. Within 12 days, Syria’s capital fell, signaling the end of over five decades of Assad family rule. Bashar al-Assad, who had been in power since 2000, reportedly fled Damascus early Sunday, leaving a power vacuum that is both historic and precarious.