Middle East & Africa

Overview

Infrastructure, investment, and digital connectivity are shaping new development pathways in the Middle East and Africa. Intensified competition between authoritarian and open models raises critical questions about alignment and influence. The Institute explores how collaborative, transparent, and locally responsive strategies can foster inclusive growth and reduce dependency on coercive actors.

Strategic Question 

Can partners deliver trusted infrastructure, investment, and digital systems that foster inclusive growth while respecting diverse regional priorities?

Featured

Building Digital Trust Together

Building Digital Trust Together

Part of my Mind the Gap and Innovative Imperative series on strategic competition in technology. Around the world, nations are racing to build the digital foundations of their economies — connecting citizens, powering innovation, and modernizing essential services. What’s at stake is not simply who leads in artificial intelligence or semiconductors, but who shapes the architecture of the […]

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Israel vs. Iran: A Flashpoint in the Broader Arc of Strategic Rivalry

Israel vs. Iran: A Flashpoint in the Broader Arc of Strategic Rivalry

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Representative Analyzes Geopolitical Implications of Beijing’s Expanding Global Influence

Representative Analyzes Geopolitical Implications of Beijing’s Expanding Global Influence

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Securing the Supply Chains of the Future

Securing the Supply Chains of the Future

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Russia, China Look to Advance Agenda at BRICS Summit of Developing Countries

Russia, China Look to Advance Agenda at BRICS Summit of Developing Countries

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Upcoming Events

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The World’s Worst Bet: How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong—And What Would Make It Right.

Content

The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China, viewed through open red doors with golden studs, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Blog, China, Geopolitics, Mind The Gap, Strategic Competition

From Vision to Execution Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 22, 2025

Aerial view of Mexico City’s skyline featuring the Torre Latinoamericana, the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and various modern and historic buildings under a clear blue sky with mountains in the distance.

Americas, Development, Innovation, Policy Brief

Technology Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets: Latin America’s Innovation Momentum Learn More

December 16, 2025

A woman stands with a laptop in a large server room, surrounded by rows of servers and blue digital light trails representing data transfer throughout the facility.

Americas, Artificial Intelligence, Capital That Connects, Development, Diplomacy, Europe, Finance, Geoeconomics, Indo-Pacific, Infrastructure, Innovation Imperative, Middle East & Africa, Technology, Telecom, Testimony

America AI Exports Program Comments Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 13, 2025

A large black cable with green stripes lies on the ocean floor, surrounded by underwater plants and illuminated by blue-tinted sunlight filtering through the water.

Americas, Artificial Intelligence, Blog, Digital, Finance, Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific, Infrastructure, Middle East & Africa, Stacks of Trust, Technology, Telecom

Securing the World’s Digital Arteries Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 11, 2025

Two chess kings stand on a chessboard. One is decorated with the American flag, the other with the Chinese flag, symbolizing the rivalry or competition between the United States and China.

Artificial Intelligence, China, Digital, Finance, Geopolitics, Industrial Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Innovation Imperative, Podcast, Stacks of Trust, Strategic Competition, Supply Chains, Technology, Telecom

Goldman Sachs Podcast: Mark Kennedy Explores the Future of US–China Technology Competition Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 10, 2025

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, labeled Spirit of Oklahoma, parked on an airbase tarmac under a clear blue sky, with its landing gear exposed and wheel chocks in place.

Defense, Speech, Strategic Competition, Supply Chains

From Reading Men to Predictive Machines: AI, Tripolar Nuclear Rivalry, and the Future of Deterrence Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 10, 2025

Black and white stones are arranged on a wooden Go board with a grid pattern. The stones are grouped in a way that suggests part of a Go game is in progress.

Alliances, Alliances at the Crossroads, Americas, Blog, China, Europe, Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific, Strategic Competition, Ukraine & Russia

To Win in Wéiqí, You Must See the Whole Board Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 6, 2025

A close-up of a hand holding a microchip, with digital graphics in the background. The flags of China and the United States are displayed in the foreground, symbolizing technology competition.

Artificial Intelligence, China, Digital, External Link, Finance, Geopolitics, Industrial Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Innovation Imperative, Stacks of Trust, Strategic Competition, Supply Chains, Technology, Telecom

Mark Kennedy on the US–China Tech Race in Goldman Sachs Research’s Top of Mind Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 4, 2025

A glowing cityscape at night with blue light trails and arcs connecting various points, symbolizing digital connectivity or data transfer across an urban network.

Artificial Intelligence, Blog, Digital, Finance, Infrastructure, Technology, Telecom, Trade, Trusted Tech Alliance

Building an AI Stack the World Wants to Choose Learn More

by Mark Kennedy

December 2, 2025

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