The re-election of moderate Hassan Rouhani for a second term as Iran’s president ends a chapter in Iran’s history, says Mohamad Tavakoli, a professor of History and Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto “It’s a consolidation of moderate sentiment and the official ending of revolutionary radicalism,” he says, adding that the era of radicalism started with the taking of the American embassy in November 1979 and began closing with the nuclear deal in 2015. Rouhani’s...

Regional disputes threaten the reputation of GCC states as a haven for foreign investment, but capital continues to flow. Recent upheavals in the Middle East have led to a perception that the entire region is going up in flames. Wars and civil wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and elsewhere regularly reinforce this misperception, and the continuing battles by coalition forces working to topple the Islamic State at Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria contribute to this narrative. The entire...

Serbia has paid a price to stabilize its finances, but found success. Serbia’s history can appear difficult to follow, especially given its interactions with other countries in the region. But the past explains the present delay in joining the European Union. Until the Balkan wars of the 1990s, Yugoslavia housed eight separate jurisdictions. In February 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Montenegro declared its independence in June 2006,...

Argentina’s leaders believe they can attract more foreign investment, and have huge expectations for its benefits. Argentina’s efforts to smooth the way for business have been uneven, but with Mauricio Macri and his Cambiemos (“Let’s Change”) coalition in power since December 2015, the nation holds promise for a more business-friendly future. “We’re in a time of transition now; opportunities are really opening up,” says Emily Sinnott, a World Bank lead economist with deep experience in Latin...

In the wake of hurricanes like Harvey, Irma and now Maria, companies like Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, PepsiCo, Walmart and the Home Depot have pledged millions of dollars for aid and relief. Executives and institutions normally known for their big-ticket dealmaking and political pronouncements have taken on an almost activist stance in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. During the worst of Hurricane Irma, Sir Richard Branson, head of the Virgin Group, sought refuge in the wine cellar of...