Antonio Graceffo - China Econ Group

Russia’s Religious Offensive in Africa

By Antonio Graceffo February 16, 2024World

By Antonio Graceffo Vladimir Putin is strategically weaponizing the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow’s drive to expand its sphere of influence in Africa. The Kremlin’s message of promoting traditional Christianity,…

Kim and Putin Talk Satellites, Ammunition

By Antonio Graceffo February 16, 2024World

Antonio Graceffo Russian trade with North Korea has increased because of the West’s sanctions on the two countries. A flagging economy, heavy casualties, failed military objectives, lack of equipment, and…

Slowing GDP may derail PRC goal

By Antonio Graceffo February 3, 2024China

By Antonio Graceffo At the 19th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) National Congress in 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) unveiled his vision to transform China into a “great modern socialist…

Biden Admin’s Regulations, Taxes Cause Unemployment

By Antonio Graceffo February 3, 2024U.S.A

By Antonio Graceffo The Biden administration wants to force wage hikes and increase regulations and taxes, which the White House claims will help workers. In reality, however, such moves will…

Loans, Minerals, Weapons, and Coups: China’s Destabilizing Role in Africa’s Coup Belt

By Antonio Graceffo February 3, 2024World

By Antonio Graceffo In August, military officers in Gabon placed the country’s president, Ali Bongo, under house arrest. This latest coup comes just weeks after the army ousted the president…

Far-reaching implications of Pope Francis’ visit to ‘island of religious freedom’ Mongolia

By Antonio Graceffo February 3, 2024World

By Antonio Graceffo His Holiness the Pope’s September four-day visit to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia was an inspiration to Mongolia’s tiny Catholic community, as well as proof of the religious freedom the…

Real Estate and Financial Sectors Compound China’s Economic Woes

By Antonio Graceffo January 23, 2024China

By Antonio Graceffo Retail prices are falling, exports are down, the famously troubled real estate sector is getting worse, and youth unemployment is so high in China that the government…

The Niger Coup Affects US Foreign Policy in Africa and Europe

By Antonio Graceffo January 23, 2024Blog

By Antonio Graceffo The coup in Niger has implications for U.S. foreign policy in Africa and Europe. On Aug. 7, the U.S. State Department announced they have had direct contact with…

From Socialism to Liberty: Argentina’s Primary Elections Reflect Ideological Shift

By Antonio Graceffo January 23, 2024World

By Antonio Graceffo As Latin American countries lean toward socialism, the victory of right-leaning libertarian Javier Milei in the Argentinian primaries may indicate that the political landscape is shifting. Over…

Rare Earth Elements and National Security: Reclaiming US Control Amid China’s Monopoly

By Antonio Graceffo January 23, 2024China

By Antonio Graceffo The Center for Strategic and International Studies on July 18 identified China’s control over gallium (a rare earth element) as a national security threat. Rare earth elements (REEs)…