David Cameron, Nikki Haley, On, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jimbo Fisher, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence for communications pros.
Happy Monday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
*** Podcast ***
Ructions | There is Something in the Water: On this episode of Ructions with Ross + Ashley, Marc Ross + Gerald Ashley discuss the high level of angst in the world, Nvidia releasing new AI chips for China, how multinational CEOs aren't driving the global agenda, the crush of inflation, watching the money supply, Germany's underperforming economy, we have so much debt, remembering Japan in the 80s, the amount of cash corporates are sitting on, Sweden's 'worst security crisis since 1945,' a new poll finds Donald Trump leads Joe Biden in five battleground states before 2024 election, plus what they are reading and watching. Listen or watch here.
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
How Israel’s spymasters misread Hamas: Overconfident: intelligence agencies missed multiple warnings before October 7 attacks in a ‘failure of imagination.’ FT
Hamas envisioned deeper attacks, aiming to provoke an Israeli war WP
A new AP-NORC poll finds nearly half of Democrats disapprove of how President Biden is handling the Israel-Hamas conflict, showing a deep divide within his party over the war.
US strikes kill Iranian proxies in Syria, officials say, a significant escalation: WP reports the strikes caused an undetermined number of fatalities, officials said, as the Biden administration attempts to deter attacks against U.S. forces without getting dragged into a broader regional conflict amid the war in Gaza.
US and Israel strike militias tied to Iran in reminder of risks in Mideast: NYT reports the attacks come as Israel’s military consolidates control of Gaza City, Hamas’s base. The fighting has worsened the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
WP: Special operations troops killed in helicopter ‘mishap’ over Mediterranean, officials say
Reuters: Zelenskiy tells Ukrainians to prepare for Russian winter onslaught
Russia steps up efforts to lure Wagner veterans back into Ukraine war: NYT reports a force led by President Vladimir Putin’s former bodyguard is trying to recruit veterans of the paramilitary force, which mutinied against Russian military leaders and saw its leader killed in a plane crash.
Putin rakes in extra €1B for his war chest via Bulgaria sanctions loophole: Politico reports last year, the EU gave Sofia a sanctions exemption to protect its citizens from energy shortages. Since then, Russia has profited.
The shadowy network smuggling European microchips into Russia: A rare look inside a covert Russian-led operation to get strategic technology protected by European export controls into the hands of the state. FT
WSJ: China’s exports tumble again in fresh sign of economic trouble
US and China to meet as shifting economic fortunes alter relationship: WSJ reports buoyant American growth, struggling Chinese economy are likely to shape this week’s talks.
Biden and Xi to meet for the first time in a year WP
Xi and Biden to try to ease tensions as Taiwan looms over US-China talks: Leaders meet in San Francisco to manage increasingly tense geopolitical and economic competition. FT
Behind public assurances, Xi Jinping spread grim views on US: Speeches by the Chinese leader show how he was bracing for an intensifying rivalry with the United States from early in his rule. NYT
Everything Biden and Xi need from their summit—starting with each other: Can the always-at-odds leaders of the world’s two biggest economies lay the groundwork for a more amicable way forward when they meet in San Francisco? Bloomberg
What they want: Biden and Xi are looking for clarity in an increasingly difficult relationship AP
What it took to get Biden and Xi to the table: The path to Wednesday’s US-China summit was strewn with gamesmanship. WSJ
Reuters: Biden will push China to resume military ties with US, official says
SCMP: Biden, Xi set to pledge ban on AI in autonomous weapons like drones, nuclear warhead control: sources
+ Potential dangers of AI expected to be major focus of Wednesday’s meeting on margins of Apec summit in San Francisco
+ Keeping a ‘human in the loop’ in nuclear command and control is essential given the problems seen so far with AI, observer says
House Republicans urge Biden to make demands of Xi Jinping ahead of meeting next week: NBC News reports Republicans on the Select Committee on China want Biden to "challenge Beijing" to prove it's interested in a better relationship with the US, including by releasing Jimmy Lai.
Yellen says US wants ‘healthy’ economic ties with China: NYT reports the Treasury secretary said she had pressed her Chinese counterpart on China’s export controls and cautioned against supporting Russia.
The world according to Xi Jinping: What China’s ideologue in chief really believes. Kevin Rudd
Tuesday: Biden will participate in a climate assessment event and travel to San Francisco for APEC Leaders’ Week.
Wednesday: Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC gathering. Biden will also hold a press conference.
Thursday: Biden will deliver remarks at the APEC CEO Summit and participate in other APEC events.
AP: US plans to build a $553 million terminal at Sri Lanka’s Colombo port in rivalry with China
Today: Biden and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will hold a bilateral meeting.
David Cameron makes surprise return to UK government: WSJ reports that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hired one of his predecessors as foreign secretary as part of a shake-up aimed at dragging his party back to the center ground as it languishes in the polls.
WP: David Cameron brought back into UK government after conservative minister fired
The Times: Cameron in surprise return as foreign secretary
+ Cleverly replaces Braverman in reshuffle
Cameron returns to UK government as foreign secretary, Braverman sacked: Reuters reports British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak brought back former leader David Cameron as foreign minister on Monday in a reshuffle triggered by his firing of interior minister Suella Braverman after her criticism of police threatened his authority.
What David Cameron’s foreign secretary appointment means for the UK The Times
NHS: One million patients in England are on more than one NHS waiting list. The overall waiting list stands at 7.77 million.
Reuters: Transgender people can be baptized Catholic, serve as godparents, Vatican says
Argentina’s presidential candidates clash ahead of pivotal poll: FT reports Libertarian Javier Milei attacks the record of Peronist minister Sergio Massa, repeating the promise to abolish central bank.
+ Bloomberg says Milei holds a slight polling edge over Massa, 49% to 45%.
Geopolitical risks worst in 50 years, warns oil services boss: Baker Hughes CEO says wars in Ukraine and Middle East threaten instability similar to 1973 oil embargo. FT
COP28 faces a giant communication challenge: The upcoming climate summit needs to shift public opinion and generate political will — the planet’s future depends on it. Vinod Thomas
IMF managing director Georgieva: 'We have placed too much emphasis on the benefits of globalization': Kristalina Georgieva, in an inteview with Le Monde, expresses concern about the risk of the global economy fragmenting and rising geopolitical threats. Le Monde
It's time for Western countries to take the BRICS seriously: The French economist argues that a minimum tax should be introduced on the world's most prosperous players, with a redistribution of revenues between all countries, to share power and wealth. Thomas Piketty
*** Politics + Elections ***
Sen. Tim Scott suspends GOP presidential bid: WSJ reports the South Carolina senator’s departure narrows the field for a Trump alternative as the race focuses on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
AP: Nikki Haley will launch a $10M ad campaign to try to overtake Ron DeSantis in the GOP primary
Here’s how Biden can turn it around: Top Democrats agree that the president needs more aggressiveness, more help from his friends, and a few more friends. Liz Cheney, Rahm Emanuel, and Mitt Romney can help. Jonathan Martin
+ According to new research from Stack Data Strategy, Trump would today beat Biden in the Electoral College, 292 to 246, even as Biden narrowly wins the popular vote, 49% to 48%.
I was Obama’s 2012 campaign manager. There’s no need to panic over Biden. Don’t sweat the doom and gloom polling. We’ve been here before. Jim Messina
Voters want anyone but Trump or Biden: Neither looks good in the latest polls. Both parties should consider alternatives for the 2024 presidential election. Karl Rove
+ "Republicans could score a historic victory next year if they run a new face. .. But if no changes are made, Americans will get the worst dumpster fire of a campaign in history."
+ RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel told CNN the committee would support Donald Trump as the GOP nominee — even if he were convicted of a crime.
'We're ungovernable': House Republicans nix votes on two funding bills as shutdown deadline nears: NBC News reports funding to keep the government open is set to expire on Nov. 17, and there's no deal to avoid it.
WV-SEN: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) will not seek reelection.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney will launch Virginia gubernatorial run by end of year: Politico reports that Stoney has already hired several top campaign officials.
The FBI chose Greenbelt, MD, as its new home, relocating from its Washington headquarters to a proposed site in the neighboring state’s suburbs.
The State Department released its first enterprise artificial intelligence strategy, becoming the latest federal agency to adopt AI policies that support Biden’s recent executive order. Read more here.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
How car dealers could derail America’s EV boom: Some customers say auto dealers have steered them away from buying electric cars and trucks. WP
Cruise recalls all its driverless cars after pedestrian hit and dragged: WP reports in another setback, Cruise updates software on 950 driverless cars to fix its ‘Collision Detection Subsystem’
Apple suffers setback in fight against EU's $14 bln tax order: Reuters reports that an EU tribunal made legal errors when it ruled in favor of Apple over a 13-billion-euro ($14 billion) tax order and should review the case again, an adviser to Europe's top court said on Thursday, in a potential setback for the iPhone maker.
Military Times: Psychedelics may soon be available — sort of — to treat vets with PTSD
Hollywood actors strike ends with a deal that will impact AI and streaming for decades: The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists reached a tentative agreement with the studios on Wednesday, ending a 118-day strike. Wired
How artificial intelligence will transform fame: Those complaining the loudest about the new technology stand to benefit the most. Economist
OpenAI chief seeks new Microsoft funds to build ‘superintelligence’: FT reports Sam Altman expects big tech group will back start-up’s mission to create software as intelligent as humans.
Bloomberg: Nvidia to release three new AI chips for China, report says
+ US is further limiting China’s access to advanced silicon
+ Nvidia’s gaming graphic card is also affected by new US rules
The biggest ‘shrinkflation’ scandal yet: Oreo fans think cookies have less filling: WSJ reports the snack maker says it hasn’t tinkered with the creme ratio, but suspicious consumers are on high alert.
How On running shoes became inescapable: The Swiss shoes with the distinctive toothy outsoles are reaching a 2010s-Allbirds level of ubiquity — for better or for worse. WP
Friday: Rupert Murdoch steps down as Fox Corp. chair.
Bloomberg: Soho House slides on weather, temporary Tel Aviv house closure
+ New opening planned in Sao Paulo, Brazil by year-end
+ Shares of membership club slump as much as 19% in New York
Rebuild or retreat? Crypto faces tough choices after FTX: Following the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the industry must choose between becoming mainstream or retreating to the fringes. FT
Reuters: North American airlines bet on Asia to drive profit
Australian ports reopen after cyberattack: AFP reports major ports handling 40 percent of Australia's freight trade have reopened, operator DP World said Monday, three days after a cyberattack crippled them.
US bets on small nuclear reactors to help fix a huge climate problem: The dream of reviving nuclear power in the U.S. rests on a new generation of smaller reactors meant to be easier to build. But major obstacles loom. NYT
*** Culture ***
Going ‘delulu’: being delusional is the new manifesting: According to TikTok, the idea is to set wild expectations for yourself – and convince your mind to believe in them. Guardian
Gwyneth Paltrow’s skiing trial is being made into a musical: The Times reports the show will come to the Pleasance Theatre in London in the run-up to Christmas.
Madonna's Paris show: From celebration to boredom: Le Monde reports the American artist's Paris concert took in a career spanning 40 years. Madonna has three more shows in the French capital, on November 13, 19, and 20.
Bloomberg: Indian students flock to US colleges, offsetting drop from China
*** Sport ***
Celebrity owners are ruining football: Fans want a competent club, not a famous mascot. Sam McPhail
WP: Texas A&M fires Jimbo Fisher, is expected to pay $76 million buyout
Mike McDaniel needs a reboot: Adventures in crashing and recovering with the NFL’s most dynamic coach. WP
Semi-finalists for the Cricket World Cup:
- Semi-final 1: India v New Zealand, Wednesday November 15 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Semi-final 2: South Africa v Australia, Thursday November 16 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- The final will be held Sunday, November 19 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry.
Caracal is here to help.
Clients are senior executives responsible for geopolitics, corporate affairs, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and communications who rely on Caracal for help navigating today's interconnected business environment with intelligence, strategy, engagement, and education.
Always Be Communicating.
More @ caracal.global
