Happy Monday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
Q: Who should I follow to be smart in 2023?
A: Try this.
ITK 100 | 2022 is the definitive list of 100 world's best reporters, columnists, and influencers covering global business issues at the intersection of globalization, disruption, and politics.
These 100 reporters, columnists, and influencers live and breathe at the intersection of globalization, disruption, and politics, home of the world's most savvy participants.
Full list here.
AFP: Bolsonaro supporters storm Brazil's Congress, Presidential Palace
Supporters of Bolsonaro storm Brazil’s Congress: WSJ reports thousands of protesters supporting Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress buildings and those of the country’s supreme court in the capital Brasília, calling for the removal of leftist leader Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro backers storm Brazil’s congress, Supreme Court, presidential office: WP reports images on Globo TV showed radical backers of Brazil’s far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro roaming the halls and standing near smashed glass cases in the Planalto Palace, the office of the president.
Lula vows to punish Brazilian Congress invaders: BBC reports Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says perpetrators will be found and punished after supporters of Brazilian far-right ex-President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress.
+ President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he would sign an emergency decree allowing the government to use “any measures necessary” to bring order.
+ Chile’s President Gabriel Boric characterized the attacks as “unprecedented,” while Colombia’s Gustavo Petro called on members of the Organization of American States to convene.
+ “Democracy is the only political system that guarantees freedoms and obliges us to respect the popular verdict,” Argentina President Alberto Fernandez wrote on Twitter.
+ France’s Emmanuel Macron also tweeting -- in Portuguese -- calling for respect to Brazil’s democratic institutions and saying Lula has France’s “unconditional support.”
Ana Montes: Top spy freed in US after more than 20 years: BBC reports Ana Montes - among the best-known Cold War spies caught by the US - has been released from prison after more than 20 years in custody. The 65-year-old spent almost two decades spying for Cuba while employed as an analyst at the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Economy, energy row, and drugs loom at North American summit: Reuters reports North American leaders aim to give new impetus to strengthening economic ties at a meeting this week, even as a major dispute grinds on over Mexico's energy policies which has distracted from cooperation on other issues like immigration.
Trudeau, Biden to meet before leaders' summit — where all eyes will be on Mexico: CBC reports PM also expected to meet one-on-one with Mexican president next week.
WSJ: House Republicans turn focus to spending, China after dramatic speaker vote
Biden gears up for ‘Chapter 2,’ anticipating clashes, cooperation with GOP: For the president, 2023 is shaping up to be a pivotal test of whether he can outmaneuver his political foes while also appeasing Democratic base voters. WP
This won’t be the last breakdown in the House: The battle over the speakership makes clear that we can expect more dysfunction than lawmaking from the current term. Jonathan Bernstein
The secret to Ron DeSantis’s success? Ignore Donald Trump—and attack business instead: Can the Florida governor’s fight with corporate America win back the White House for Republicans? Bloomberg
A 72-year-old congressman goes back to school, pursuing a degree in AI: Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) is pursuing a master's degree in machine learning at George Mason University with hopes of one day applying his AI knowledge to his legislative work. WP
+ That's my Congressman.
More than a decade ago, the army had a plan to rebuild. It went nowhere: Canada still stands in line for equipment it planned to buy 12 years ago. CBC
Argentina and China formalize currency swap deal: Reuters reports Argentina and China have formalized the expansion of a currency swap deal, allowing the South American country to increase its depleted foreign currency reserves, the Argentine central bank said on Sunday.
She is Africa’s first heat officer. Can she make her city livable? Eugenia Kargbo remembers when Sierra Leone’s capital was greener and cooler, and is now trying to help the city combat rising temperatures. NYT
How Nigeria’s election could be won in London: As wheeling and dealing ramp up ahead of Nigeria’s presidential election on Feb. 25, the place to be is… London. Semafor
Kishida highlights security concerns on trip to Europe, US: AP reports Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida begins a weeklong trip Monday to strengthen military ties with Europe and Britain and bring into focus the Japan-US alliance at a summit in Washington, as Japan breaks from its postwar restraint to take on more offensive roles with an eye toward China.
China reopens to the world: WSJ reports thousands of international travelers flew in and out of mainland Chinese airports as Beijing removed almost all its Covid-era border restrictions after three years.
North Korea’s evolving nuclear threat: Too great to deter? Kim Jong Un’s growing arsenal is setting the scene for a risky game of military one-upmanship with the US and its east Asian allies. FT
How McDonald’s won Russia—and then lost it all: For 30 years, the fast-food icon turned meat, bread, and potatoes into a display of capitalism that changed how the country did business. Then Putin invaded Ukraine. Bloomberg
Sweden warns it cannot meet Turkey’s demands for backing NATO bid: Stockholm has fulfilled commitments made to Ankara at Madrid summit, says premier Ulf Kristersson. FT
Two geostrategic challenges for 2023: Ukraine and Iran: Addressing Kyiv’s desire to become a NATO member and deciding how to deal with the regime in Tehran will be of particular importance in the year ahead. Wolfgang Ischinger
+ Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger is president of the Munich Security Conference Foundation.
FT writers’ predictions for the world in 2023: Forecasts for the new year, from the chances of a lasting ceasefire in Russia’s war in Ukraine to the likelihood of Fed interest rate cuts and the future of crypto. FT
Last year was a huge year in space. Here’s what to look for in 2023. A major astronaut announcement, a crewed Starliner flight, and the first orbital launch attempt of SpaceX’s Starship could highlight the year. WP
The world’s love affair with Japanese cars is souring: Brands like Toyota have been global favorites for decades. How did they get the shift to electric so wrong? Bloomberg
10 Asian companies to watch in 2023: From chipmakers to tech pioneers, these are names you will hear more of. Nikkei
Apple hires workers in India as it looks to open first flagship stores: Smartphone maker wants to expand in the country and diversify manufacturing away from China. FT
The Nokia risk: Small countries, big firms, and the end of the fifth Schumpetarian wave. Herman Mark Schwartz
Dream machine: The mind-expanding world of quantum computing. Rivka Galchen
Silicon Valley can’t quit its pizza robot obsession: At Stellar Pizza, a group of engineers from SpaceX and other rocket makers have turned their attention to a daunting experiment in food automation. Bloomberg
Why internet silos win Om Malik
The creator economy was way overblown: We’re seeing the truth about one of the most-hyped sectors of the past decade. Alex Kantrowitz
The hottest Gen Z gadget is a 20-year-old digital camera: Young people opt for point-and-shoots and blurry photos. NYT
Southwest’s Christmas mess has roots in its long financial success: The Dallas-based airline has always lagged behind in technology. Its leaders saw that as a feature, not a bug. Texas Monthly
2022 was the year crypto came crashing down to Earth NPR
74 things that blew our minds in 2022: Where The Atlantic’s science, technology, and health reporters found wonder in a sometimes-sobering year. The Atlantic
The future of Toronto's downtown — will remote workers return to the core? Experts expect some will fight return to office amid an affordability crisis, but are optimistic for recovery. CBC
When the writing demands talent and discretion, call the ghostwriter: Ghostwriters write books in someone else’s voice — without leaving fingerprints. Doing it well requires great technical skill and a flexible ego. NYT
Is New York turning into Los Angeles? Quintessentially Californian institutions are popping up all over Manhattan as New Yorkers embrace sound baths, mocktails, and legal marijuana. NYT
De La Soul’s music is finally coming to streaming services in March Variety
The most bizarre covers of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s George Magazine Vanity Fair
Can you justify spending $1,100 on jeans? Even if you have the money, there is such a thing as too much. Robert Armstrong
WSJ: Mikaela Shiffrin ties Lindsey Vonn’s record for alpine skiing wins
Mikaela Shiffrin has no peer at the moment. She’s about to have no peer in history. Shiffrin’s latest run of dominance has her even with Lindsey Vonn for World Cup victories among women, with numerous possibilities of what she can still achieve. WP
How the NBA has tried — and mostly failed — to stop Luka Dončić The Athletic
Rich Paul on writing his memoir and one thing people still misunderstand about Klutch Sports: The NBA superagent is gearing up to release Lucky Me next year. GQ
Here are the sports moments we can’t wait to see in 2023: The rise of a new winter sports hero. The women’s soccer World Cup. A brisker pace of play in baseball. And, for heaven’s sake, less talk about pickleball. NYT
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Founder + Team Principal @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
Caracal is a geopolitical business communications firm specializing in global business issues at the intersection of globalization, disruption, and politics.
Caracal believes that to be a world-class geopolitical business communicator, you need global street smarts coupled with holistic, high-frequency, and high-low communications.
To receive Caracal ITK Daily by email, subscribe here.
