Foreign direct investment

Hezbollah’s Shadow Economy in Post-Assad Syria

Syria’s Fuel Protests Expose the Limits of Its Economic Recovery

“We don’t want new roundabouts or malls. We just want to live.” That was the message from one protester in Aleppo as demonstrations over soaring fuel prices spread across Syria on September...

Former US ambassador Khalilzad visits Kabul, attends Taliban oil deal signing

As the Taliban enters its sixth year in power following the fall of Kabul, it continues seeking international legitimacy and foreign investment. The recent visit by Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US ambassador...

Like Iraq, Lebanon Must Arrest Militia Commanders

While Iraq is acting like a sovereign state in its effort to disarm militias, Lebanon has largely become a bystander as Israel pursues the dismantlement of Hezbollah.

The State Department’s $500 Million Bet To Beat China on African Minerals

Trade over aid is Washington’s newest old idea for Africa.  On July 24, the State Department launched the U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program — a $500 million effort and...

New Law Would Help Taiwan’s Communications Sector Work Around Chinese Cable Slicing

Taiwan is increasingly looking abroad to strengthen its domestic communications resilience. On July 21, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan unanimously passed a bill that eases restrictions on foreign firms...

Dublin’s ban on trade with Israeli settlements is a gigantic own goal

It won’t change Jerusalem’s policy, may cost Palestinians their jobs, further isolate Ireland's small Jewish community and provoke US sanctions. Apart from that, it is a fine piece of legislation

Germany’s Expanding Defense Partnership With Israel Hit Troubled Waters. It’s Too Valuable To Sink.

As America’s NATO allies boost their defense spending and capabilities to counter Russian aggression, Germany is turning to Israel. After fielding its first Israeli-made Arrow 3 ballistic...

Protecting Against National Security Threats in Domestic Telecommunications Service

U.S. Turns to Central Asia To Combat China’s Rare Earth Dominance

The United States is vulnerable to Chinese control over critical mineral supply chains. To reduce its dependence on Beijing, Washington is increasingly looking to Central Asia. On June 10, U.S. special...

Iraq’s prime minister prepares US visit amid Iran threats and militia focus

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is preparing for an upcoming trip to Washington, DC, Iraqi media outlets recently reported. The prime minister has been working since his May appointment...

6 Reasons Why Qatar’s U.S. Financial Footprint Warrants Scrutiny

Qatar, a Persian Gulf emirate roughly the size of Connecticut, possesses outsized wealth by sitting atop the world’s largest natural gas reservoir. FDD has meticulously documented that this tiny country...

Mapping Qatar’s $400 Billion Footprint in the United States

Qatari Money in America

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China Introduces New Outbound Investment Laws To Prevent U.S. Decoupling

After decades of courting foreign investment, Beijing is now working to stop the flow of funds going the other way.  On June 1, China’s State Council published new rules tightening...

Commerce Department to Allow Volvo Sales Despite Chinese Ownership, Espionage Concerns

Volvo will be staying in the American market despite concerns that its vehicles may vacuum up data for delivery to the firm’s majority shareholders in China. On May 27, Bloomberg reported that the...

Taiwan is a ‘model ally,’ not trade bait

Trading the island’s security for rhetoric from Beijing would be a strategic blunder of historic proportions.

Previewing the Trump-Xi Summit 

Sharaa’s Gulf Tour Is All About the Economy

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited three Gulf states — Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — over two days beginning on April 21. The Syrian presidency described the trip in broad...

Iran’s War on Iraq’s Oil Industry

Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have been attacking the country’s oil sector while the world’s attention focuses on the Strait of Hormuz.