News & Insights

With New Mandate Secured, Turkey’s Erdogan Likely To Continue Engaging With Both West And Russia

In this Associated Press article, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale analyses Erdoğan's foreign policy following recent run-off elections. He notes that Erdoğan has maintained a "multi-vector foreign policy" that has "enabled him to have constructive relations with Russia, China, and countries throughout the Middle East," often to the detriment of Turkey’s alliances with the West. However, he comments that "Turkey will likely signal it is open to some form of rapprochement, such as by encouraging parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s accession to NATO."

‘I can do it’: Erdoğan promises Turkey more strongman medicine

In this Financial Times feature by Turkey correspondents Adam Samson and Ayla Jean Yackley, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale discusses the implications of Erdoğan's victory in recent run-off elections. He notes that dropping opposition to Sweden’s NATO entry would "begin to thaw some of the very icy relationships Turkey has with its allies" and help lure back investors.

Transatlantic Relations and the Geopolitics of Central Europe

Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale gave closing keynote remarks at a conference on “The New Geo-Strategic Environment for Transatlantic Cooperation and Values,” sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Security and Politics in Euro-Atlantic Relations (CASPER). Speaking alongside the former Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the former US Ambassador to NATO, and the Chairman of the Hungarian Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Truesdale commented on evolving opportunities and challenges for Central Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Turkey’s ultra-nationalist outsider basks in run-off fame

In this article by AFP's Turkey correspondents Fulya Ozerkan and Imran Marashli, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale comments on the potential outcome of the Turkish run-off election on May 28. He notes that "the winning equation will not be a simple sum of Erdogan's votes plus those won by Ogan, since many Ogan voters are also calling for change."

TURKEY’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: PRELUDE TO THE REPUBLIC’S NEXT CENTURY

Turkey will hold a pivotal presidential election on May 14, just months before the Turkish Republic celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. After two decades of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in power, opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu stands a strong chance at the polls. In this piece, we assess how voters will weigh their choices in the context of Turkey’s economic woes and national security challenges, and what this means for international investors.

By Jay Truesdale, David Stevens, and David Alm

In a blow to Taiwan, Honduras switches relations to China

The New York Times ran a piece featuring insights from Mitch Hayes, a director at Veracity, on Honduras aligning with China, thereby severing ties with Taiwan. An expert on China's relations with Latin America, Mitch notes that while Honduras's decision might upset Washington, it could be seen as a rational move for an emerging economy such as Honduras.

What Will Honduras Gain By Establishing Ties With China?

Veracity director Mitch Hayes was invited to share his analysis of Honduras' break with Taiwan, in a round-up of thought leadership on the issue for the Inter-American Dialogue. Mitch joins academics and analysts in this overview captures the motivations and implications of Honduras's move. Mitch suggests that "President Xiomara Castro's bargain may sacrifice long-term sovereignty for short-term political gain.”

Mining Indaba: The Growing Russian Presence in Africa’s Mining Sector

In this interview, conducted in English and French with the current affairs broadcaster Radio France Internationale, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale discusses rising Russian aspirations in the African mining sector. He notes that Russia often concentrates on poorly-governed countries where it has historical ties, and that certain target minerals have important applications for Russian military production and national security.

A Clear Agenda for Nigeria’s Next President

In this piece, we address the key challenges facing Nigeria's incoming president. After Bola Tinubu was declared the winner of the vote, the media largely focused on the horserace of the election. We instead take a close look at the next president's enormously complex agenda: to arrest economic decline, address root causes of insecurity, and eradicate endemic corruption. This will be vital to improving the lives of millions of Nigerians and making the country more attractive to foreign investors.

By David Alm

Geopolitical Shifts and their Effect on African Mining

At the 2023 African Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, the largest of its kind in the world, political leaders and top executives described a rapidly changing global environment that has made mining operations increasingly difficult, with no jurisdiction, particularly on the African continent, devoid of risk. Miners discussed how they are expanding into new or unfamiliar geographies, driven by the need to sate growing appetites for raw materials necessary for the green energy transition.

By Jay Truesdale

Mining Indaba 2023: Jay Truesdale gives keynote speech

At this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Veracity CEO Jay Truesdale gave a main-stage speech on how global firms, namely mining companies, are incorporating an awareness of geopolitical risk and national interests as they develop corporate strategies. He cited two main drivers: the protracted war in Ukraine, and competition between China and the Global West. Jay's speech received media coverage from Voice of America and South Africa’s Daily Maverick.

US, China Compete for Africa’s Rare Earth Minerals

In this Voice of America article by China-Africa correspondent Kate Bartlett, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale comments on the geopolitical implications of the race for rare earth metals in Africa. He notes that “dependency on China for rare earths is viewed with alarm” as it could allow Beijing to “cripple non-Chinese manufacturers” in key sectors including electronics, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and renewable energy.

Growing geopolitical tension will make it harder for companies to sit on the fence

In this Daily Maverick piece by foreign affairs reporter Peter Fabricius, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale highlights the risks rising tensions between China and the West pose to companies. Jay notes that companies will struggle to avoid picking a side on Russia’s war against Ukraine, and that they must appreciate "the implications of taking a stand" if relations between global powers deteriorate further.

CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (CSIS) REPORT: “ENABLING AN ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OF UKRAINE”

The CSIS Ukraine Economic Reconstruction Commission, whose members include Co-Chair and Veracity Senior Advisor Ambassador Paula Dobriansky and CEO Jay Truesdale, published the results of collaborative research among senior US, G7, and Ukrainian representatives from the private sector, government, and NGOs. The report provides a framework for reconstruction, acknowledging that foreign aid is necessary but insufficient for the task, and highlights the critical role of private investment.

Ukraine Intel Boss Warns Putin: Brace for ‘Deeper and Deeper’ Strikes in Russia

In this The Daily Beast piece by national security reporter Shannon Vavra, Veracity Worldwide CEO Jay Truesdale provides extensive insight and analysis on why alleged Ukrainian attacks should be seen as distinct from those by Russia against Ukraine. Jay notes that while Russia has targeted civilians and cities, Ukraine has fought in self-defense and targeted only military or dual-use facilities, suggesting that Ukraine is seeking to fight a "more just" war than Russia.