In This Edition

Key Takeaways

Extreme weather events including wildfires, winter storms and tornadoes caused an estimated $40 billion in losses in H1 of 2021.  The US and UK deployed troops to evacuate their staff from embassies in Afghanistan as the Taliban continues its advance towards Kabul.  New Zealand will continue pursuing its “zero COVID-19” policy until the end of the year but may ease entry for fully vaccinated travelers in early 2022.

Condition Updates

A rundown of important global risk developments in markets, in business, and region-by-region.

US Middle East Posture: Rhetoric in Practice

Like many US administrations before him, President Biden’s early presidency has been defined by his domestic priorities, but geopolitical trends offer a chance for him to shape US foreign policy long after his time in office. US posture in the Middle East in particular offers a window into how he is turning rhetoric into policy and applying lessons learned. 

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