Global Spotlight
The Great Powers Weigh in on Venezuela. The United States and several other states upped the ante in Venezuela’s tense political standoff between President Nicolas Maduro’s government and the opposition when they officially recognized Juan Guaido — leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly — as Venezuela’s interim president on Jan. 23.
Progress Reported in Talks to End the War in Afghanistan. Negotiations between the United States and the Taliban may have achieved a milestone. After six days of talks in Doha, Qatar, reports on Jan. 26 said the two sides have finalized a landmark draft agreement detailing a U.S. troop drawdown over 18 months and a cease-fire.
The Middle East Goes Ballistic for Missiles. France repeated its concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile program this week. Its refrain about needing to limit Iran’s ballistic missile development complicates the European Union’s efforts to keep Iran committed to the Iran nuclear deal despite the U.S. withdrawal and a deepening web of U.S. sanctions on Iran-linked entities.
Nigeria Debates Its Economic Future. With just three weeks to go before Nigeria’s presidential election on Feb. 16, two candidates – incumbent Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar — are debating the country’s future economic structure.
Stratfor.com
Economic Calendar
Briefing.com has a good U.S. economic calendar for the week. Here are the main U.S. releases.
Briefing.com
Last Weeks Numbers
Review Last weeks numbers here.
