The First Tranche

How China’s oil-backed lending in Venezuela fell into distress—and what might come next Home to the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuela was ideal for China’s commodity-backed lending model. But Beijing’s multi-billion dollar bet has turned sour. Oshin Pandey and Pavan Raghavendra

China’s divorce from Venezuela wasn’t caused by the US. It already happened a decade ago. After a brief period of closer ties with Caracas, Beijing sought to de-risk and diversify its state-backed lending away from Venezuela, long before Maduro's capture. Bryan Burgess and Lea Thome

AidData provides cutting-edge training for data journalists in Pakistan Now in its second year, AidData and its partners are scaling up a training program for media and government officials to incorporate reliable data into their work. Alex Wooley

AidData receives $1 million for project on rebuilding global data systems In the wake of steep cuts to foreign aid, a new grant from the Hewlett Foundation will fund an AidData-led project to reimagine the data systems key to development progress. Alex Wooley

China’s massive overseas lending portfolio shifts course, as Beijing eyes the U.S., EU, and sensitive industries New AidData report and datasets track for the first time China’s secretive loans and grants in high-income as well as developing countries. Alex Wooley

Terrorist designations tend to mobilize foreign aid—but not in Yemen, study finds Understanding why Yemen is an exception to this counterintuitive global pattern is crucial for balancing security with survival. Narayani Sritharan, Magnus Lundgren, and Akash Nayak

How Beijing is adapting the Belt and Road Initiative to manage ESG risks As the BRI enters its 12th year, China has taken steps to address challenges created by its flagship infrastructure initiative. Brooke Escobar and Lea Thome

New in-depth profiles on China’s grants and loans to 20 countries The profiles offer granular insights into the scale and scope of China’s portfolio at the country level. Lea Thome and JulieAnn Sickell

Tiny roots, big impacts: AidData studies a superfood’s potential In three evaluations across Africa, AidData and its partners are researching how sweetpotato cultivation spreads. Alex Wooley

Smarter farming depends on reducing gender bias Two household surveys that AidData conducted in Ghana illustrate why. Wanqi (Angie) Zhu

Analysis: A 1% remittance tax that hits the poor hardest Remittances are a vital source of income for millions worldwide, but recent U.S. policy changes will impose major costs. Nara Sritharan, Bryan Burgess

Out of public sight, China’s state-backed lenders secure priority repayment from emerging economies with cash collateral New report and cache of Chinese debt contracts reveal that the commodity export revenues of developing countries are routed to offshore bank accounts, raising fiscal governance and debt transparency concerns.