Emerging Risks

Cabinet reportedly gives Lapid, Gantz, Bennett power to deal with rising tensions; northern council urges tourists to visit despite fears wobbling border pact could spark conflict

archived 7 Oct 2022 11:30:01 UTC

archived 5 Oct 2022 09:38:53 UTC

For the first time, Russians are starting to believe that their isolated and out-of-touch leader really could launch a nuclear weapon.

Yair Lapid rejects Lebanese proposal to reverse Israeli security, economic gains from US-mediated agreement

A New York Times video investigation reveals new details about Dr. Li Wenliang’s illness and death from Covid-19 based on medical records and an exclusive in...

If China stands at the zenith of its power, and if CCP magnates know it, then they might reason now is the best time for war with America.

archived 5 Oct 2022 23:17:09 UTC

Chiu says China 'deliberately destroyed' tacit agreement on median line to establish new normal | 2022-10-05 13:41:00

The primary deterrent to a Chinese first strike with tactical nuclear weapons is the threat of a second strike with American nukes.

Island has food, energy and other critical supplies in reserve, according to deputy economy minister Chen Chern-chyi.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s defense minister on Wednesday said the island will respond to incursions into its airspace by Chinese warplanes and drones, but gave no details on specific actions. Responding to questions from legislators, Chiu Kuo-cheng said China’s newly aggressive stance had changed what Taiwan would define as a “first strike” that would necessitate a response.

archived 4 Oct 2022 20:14:04 UTC

Mancur Olson’s The Rise and Decline of Nations shows how small groups can undermine broader prosperity.

There is a very real concern that the spread of a virus that originated with human activity—mass poultry farming—is now coming around to bite back.

Russian nuclear targeting reflects both doctrine and capabilities. Russia has the lowest nuclear weapons use threshold of the major nuclear weapons states. President Vladimir Putin’s June 2020 d

Officials say almost eight million people need assistance and more than one million are internally displaced

Lab tests suggest the Khosta-2 virus thrives in human cells and is resistant to current coronavirus vaccines. We need better jabs to fight new animal viruses.

The search for the perpetrators has begun following Monday's sabotage attack on the Nord Stream pipelines. Which countries could have been behind it, and how secure is Europe's critical infrastructure at the bottom of the sea?

How long will Beijing deny that it has a major financial and economic crisis on its hands?

The Chinese dictator is reversing the reforms of his predecessors

Chechen leader and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov said Saturday that Russia should consider using low-yield nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine.

A top aide of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s intelligence community believes the threat of Russian forces using nuclear weapons is “very high” following a s…

China is beset by severe economic problems. Growth has stalled, youth unemployment is at a record high, the housing market is collapsing, and companies are struggling with recurring supply chain headaches.

archived 15 Sep 2022 06:14:12 UTC

Only state intervention can save the day, but the pain is likely to fall on ordinary citizens, say observers

China’s economy is slowing, with annualized GDP growth falling to 0.4% for April–June 2022, its second lowest level since 1992. Economic recovery is being hampered by the combined effects of COVID and a falling property market.

Putin is cornered and insists he’s not bluffing. Will his nuclear blackmail backfire?

We might be able to stop an asteroid, but not incompetent leadership.