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Kahn analyzes economic policies for an integrated world.

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Headquarters of Sberbank, one of the Russian institutions under U.S. sanctions
Headquarters of Sberbank, one of the Russian institutions under U.S. sanctions REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
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Have Sanctions Become the Swiss Army Knife of U.S. Foreign Policy?

by Robert Kahn July 24, 2017

The Congress takes an important, positive step to reinforce Russian sanctions, but are we at risk of overusing the sanctions tool? Read More

Featured

Emerging Markets

Turkey’s Shaky Economy: a Local or Global Concern?
Turkey’s failed coup looks set to deliver a substantial blow to Turkey’s already wobbly economy. It could also renew concerns, post Brexit, about global emerging markets more broadly. Late Friday, f…

Blog Post by Robert Kahn July 17, 2016 Macro and Markets

Europe

Brexit’s Threat to Global Growth
Thursday’s Brexit vote wasn’t a “Lehman moment”, as some have feared. Instead, it was a growth moment. And that may be the greater threat. If policymakers respond effectively, the benefits could be s…

Blog Post by Robert Kahn June 28, 2016 Macro and Markets

G20 (Group of Twenty)

G20 Hopes for a Cure
Five things we learned from this weekend’s G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers.           A desire for better. The communiqué candidly acknowledges growing threa…

Blog Post by Robert Kahn February 28, 2016 Macro and Markets

Budget, Debt, and Deficits

Venezuela on the Edge
The Venezuelan government has a $2.3 billion debt payment due this Friday. Most believe the government has the resources to make the payment, though it is hard to see a coherent economic reason to do…

Blog Post by Robert Kahn February 23, 2016 Macro and Markets

International Organizations

China’s Symbolic Currency Win
Earlier today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board approved the inclusion of the Chinese renminbi (RMB) as a fifth currency in the special drawing rights (SDR), the IMF’s currency, as of Octo…

Blog Post by Robert Kahn November 30, 2015 Macro and Markets

Venezuela
Venezuela’s Descent Into Crisis
In my May monthly, I make the case that the crisis in Venezuela has intensified to the point where a chaotic default is a question of when, not if. Economic activity is falling sharply and the seeds …
Blog Post by Robert Kahn May 5, 2016 Macro and Markets
G20 (Group of Twenty)
G20 Hopes for a Cure
Five things we learned from this weekend’s G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers.           A desire for better. The communiqué candidly acknowledges growing threa…
Blog Post by Robert Kahn February 28, 2016 Macro and Markets
Budget, Debt, and Deficits
Venezuela on the Edge
The Venezuelan government has a $2.3 billion debt payment due this Friday. Most believe the government has the resources to make the payment, though it is hard to see a coherent economic reason to do…
Blog Post by Robert Kahn February 23, 2016 Macro and Markets
  • United States
    Economic Optimism in the State of the Union
    The central economic message from President Obama in his State of the Union (SOU) speech last night was that the U.S. economy was on a strong footing and well prepared to prosper in a dynamic and rap…
    Blog Post by Robert Kahn January 13, 2016 Macro and Markets
  • Budget, Debt, and Deficits
    Crisis Risks in 2016
    In my January monthly, I highlight four themes that could feature in 2016: The East-West Divide.  Last week provided us with a powerful reminder that uncertainty about the path of the Chinese curren…
    Blog Post by Robert Kahn January 11, 2016 Macro and Markets