Tag: Economic Policy

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 …

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 …