The Proposals from Greece: Prospects for a Deal Improve Dramatically

New economic proposals submitted by Greece on Monday have been welcomed by euro zone leaders and financial markets around the world. The expectation is for a deal to be announced within days. Although in all likelihood the country will need

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Playing with Fire: Greek Tragedy Reaches Climax

As the Greek tragedy nears its climax – now scheduled for next Thursday – European stock and bond markets took a hit with investors scurrying for safety and protagonists hurling verbal abuse across the stage. In Athens, Prime-Minister Alexis Tsipras

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The Time Is Now: Paradigm Shift Signals Opportunity

Few people realise that in 2013 a turning point was reached. In that year, emerging economies displaced developed markets as the main engines of global economic growth. This was not a one-off event or an oddity: it signalled no less

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Quantitative Easing: Another Shot for the Caffeine Junkie

Early in March, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced its intention to flood the market with about €1.1 trillion in quantitative easing (QE) monies over the course of 18 months by buying debt instruments – mostly government bonds – on

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Luisa Nenci, CEO of SustainValues: A Capital Market Union or a Sustainable Financial Market?

In his political guidelines for the next European Commission, President Jean-Claude Juncker pushed for the establishment of a capital market union. Such a union should develop and integrate capital markets in order to cut the cost of raising capital. This

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Russia – Moving Borders Politely

Vladimir Putin’s index finger is hovering over the, presumably red, button that activates nuclear Armageddon. The president of Russia threatened to bring the finger down should NATO further reinforce its defence of the Baltic States or make any attempt, covert

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Stealth at the Helm: The Manifest Destiny of Angela Merkel

As the Greek debt crisis inches to its climax, the euro’s guardians soften their tone of voice; not quite so sure any longer that contagion – and financial Armageddon – may yet be avoided. Over the past few weeks, the

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DEG: Turkey – Growth Market and Bridge to the East

Turkey was long considered especially promising in the group of emerging-market countries. However, political developments and Turkey’s susceptibility to recent turmoil in financial markets means that the perception has now shifted. But which is the correct impression? Do current political

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Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck: Life outside the Comfort Zone

You have geniuses and then you have Florian Maria Georg Christian Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck; filmmaker extraordinaire, fluent in five languages, pupil of Richard Attenborough (the elder brother of David), and a direct descendant of General Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher,

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British Referenda and Europe: Patience Is a Conquering Virtue

Afflicted by a veritable referendum craze, Britain seems set to question its very existence. In the wake of a stunning victory at the polls, the Scottish National Party (SNP) is looking to exploit its near-monopoly on politics north of The

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