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BLOCS Database

Bilateral Longitudinal Observations and Country Statistics

Bar chart depicting the cumulative foreign interest in nine critical infrastructure sectors in Greece from 2006 to 2024. The chart shows investments by 15 countries, with China and Germany leading as the largest contributors. Each bar is segmented by country and infrastructure type, including energy, ports, roads, rail, telecommunications, and airports. The chart highlights significant growth beginning in 2016, peaking in 2022, and leveling off by 2024, illustrating the intensifying global competition for influence in Greece's infrastructure.

Estimating China’s Economic Spheres of Influence in Greece

At the Athens Security Forum, hosted by the Institute of International Relations (ΙΔΙΣ), we presented an in-depth analysis of Greece’s escalating economic dependence on China. This analysis underscored the dual concerns of economic and national security posed by such dependencies. In recent years, foreign investment in Greece’s critical infrastructure has grown exponentially. By 2022, Greece’s …

Alt text: "A global map illustrating China's evolving influence on container terminals in 2024. Key locations highlight areas where Chinese state-owned enterprises gained or lost control over port operations, such as Melbourne, Angola, and Saudi Arabia. The map also depicts major shipping routes and trade hubs affected by China's strategic maritime presence, reflecting shifts in global trade dynamics and the economic implications of China's network of port investments."

The Forces Shaping Global Port Influence

In this 2024 follow-up, our Director Clark Banach and MERICS Lead Analyst Jacob Gunter provide a nuanced examination of China’s evolving maritime strategy, identifying areas where China has strengthened or ceded influence. They delve into internal dynamics within China, such as economic slowdowns or shifts in strategic priorities, as well as external pressures, including increased …

Infographic showing China's global port investments under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The image highlights key trade routes and countries impacted by Chinese state-owned enterprises controlling port operations. It emphasizes the shift in trade patterns favoring China, the temporary economic benefits of infrastructure projects, and the geopolitical risks of dependency on Chinese networks.

Tides of Change in the Mediterranean

As China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) enters its second decade with a new ten-year plan, reflecting its evolution from infrastructure investment to broader strategic goals. Our Director Clark Banach and MERICS Lead Analyst Jacob Gunther highlighted China’s deep involvement in global port networks, detailing how state-owned enterprises (SOEs) create dependencies and influence through Mediterranean …

Illustration of the LCHE Data & Action Platform highlighting its role in addressing health inequities in Louisiana. The platform showcases an interactive dashboard and 'Action Bank' for data-driven collaboration among stakeholders, promoting strategic decision-making and improved health outcomes. Visual elements represent data integration, policy facilitation, and collective action to enhance care for vulnerable populations.

Development of LCHE Data & Action Platform

The Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) Data & Action Platform, developed in collaboration with Aletheia Research Institute, embodies an innovative application of the health equity framework for institutional change (see phase I of the project here.) This platform, which underwent beta testing during a pilot phase (2023–2025), empowers stakeholders to consolidate health data and …

Laborforce Diversity in the New Jersey Construction Industry

Aletheia Research Institution leveraged its expertise in survey development and statistical analysis to investigate the demography of employees at member companies of the Associated Builders and Contractors New Jersey Chapter (ABC-NJ). The investigation combined ABC-NJ member data, publicly available demographic data and detailed profile data reported by a sample of ABC-NJ member companies (which included …

The Beginning of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict: By the Numbers

Global Economic Impacts of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict The crisis in Ukraine began Februrary-24 2022. The information from this infographic is from April-25 2022. Although the situation is evolving at a rapid pace, we hope this information provides clarity to the magnitude of the crisis. At the moment the Ukraine-Russia conflict affects over 100 countries and the …

Health Equity Framework for Institutional Change in Louisiana

The success of efforts to generate awareness around health equity issues comes with new challenges. At the moment there are a lot of uncoordinated efforts competing against one another for various strategic positions in the space rather than identifying how they can work together on the greater purpose. Although the emergence of commercial interests and …

Cannabis Consumption Trends in California After Legalization

In-Store Trends and Segmentation of Cannabis Consumers