A Falling Tide Slows All Boats
An unusually dry October has lowered the water level of the lake that is used to operate the Panama Canal’s channel system. As a result, the Canal Authority has reduced…
It Was Pretty While It Lasted
A fly on the wall at recent board meetings of some multinational cosmetic companies might hear board members saying ‘it all used to be so beautiful’ or something along those…
Understanding The Link Between National Security and Industrial Policy
Imagine a world without semiconductors. What would it look like? Well, you wouldn’t be able to use your cell phone or laptop. Your car would probably not be drivable. You…
The Sparkling Wine of Beers?
A shipment of Miller High Life beer was intercepted and destroyed in Antwerp, Belgium on its way to Germany. The reason: the use of its long-used slogan “The Champagne of Beers.” Under…
The Farming Industry is Growing Up
Photo by Daniel Fazio on Unsplash Twenty years ago, the Netherlands set about on a mission to increase their agricultural production to sufficiently feed its population in the face of…
Will a Shortage of Popcorn Spoil the Movies?
Photo by Meg Boulden on Unsplash After two years of watching movies on small screens, the reopening of cinemas following COVID-19 closures has been a welcome change of pace. For…
Was Your iPhone Made in India?
Photo by Frankie on Unsplash Was the iPhone you just bought made in India? Maybe not, but your next one very well could be. Apple recently announced that it will be increasing production…
The Guac is Going to be Extra
Photo by Isabella and Zsa Fischer on Unsplash.com The US has announced it is suspending all imports of avocados from the Mexican state of Michoacan. At the heart of the…
How a Blockage in the Suez Canal is Contributing to a Change at the Mall
Like so many businesses, clothing retailers have endured a year or more of disrupted supply chains, challenges with maintaining appropriate inventory, and significant fluctuations in demand. The recent blockage in…
Economics and Sustainability Series: The Geopolitics of Batteries
Abstract: As interest in addressing climate change continues to gain speed, demand for electricvehicles in rising. Currently, these vehicles largely rely on lithium-ion batteries for their power,and within those lithium-ion…