Alaco

On International Anti-Corruption Day, Alaco reviews an innovative bid by British parliamentarians to boost efforts to root out graft.more >

President Park has offered to resign over sensational graft allegations, but will the affair lead to more concerted efforts to curb corruption among the country’s business and political elites?more >

The cornerstone of Vladimir Putin’s strategy for political longevity has been his projection of Russia as a besieged fortress fighting off the menacing encroachment of the US and other western powers. By presenting himself as the only leader capable of protecting Russia from those who seek to undermine her, the authoritarian president has skilfully managed to distract his people from the rapidly deteriorating economic conditions that would doubtless sink the leader of a more democratic country.more >

The German Chancellor has deftly transformed herself from a competent manager of government factions and her country’s economic interests into a principled stateswoman who could now have an important role to play on the world stage. more >

The growth of man-made stones is undermining the perception of diamonds as luxury purchases. more >

The government’s appetite for further European integration may weaken under the influence of a growing wave of Georgian populism. more >

Many western investors are keen to enter the Iranian market following the removal of nuclear-related sanctions, but fear breaking residual American measures.more >

A series of recent Chinese takeovers of Germany’s top tech companies has unnerved many Germans who fear the trend could undermine the economy. Germany has always been more comfortable as an investor than a recipient of investment, with the Chinese shopping spree sparking a wave of protectionist sentiment, which some German politicians are looking to exploit.more >

Moldovans preparing to elect a new president later this month are being asked to choose between pro-European Union and pro-Russian candidates in a ballot that reflects the polarization of the political landscape. But, unlike neighboring Ukraine, these distinctions are artificial and misleading, only serving to mask the avarice and cynicism of many of the country’s politicians - something Brussels and Moscow are all too aware of.more >