Ethiopia + Eritrea, Shutdown, Streaming, Joaquin Phoenix, Israel, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence for communications pros.
Happy Wednesday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
*** Ross Rant ***
Sweden confronts unprecedented security challenges
Sweden is currently facing its most significant security challenges since 1945, according to Henrik Landerholm, the national security adviser.
Landerholm warned that Sweden, once a symbol of peace, neutrality, and social cohesion, is now confronted by challenges on three fronts: Russia, Islamist terrorism, and internal violence related to drug cartels.
CAP (Communications Action Point) = Sweden faces a security challenge not seen since 1945 and is a multifaceted threat. Combining hybrid warfare techniques exploits vulnerabilities within Swedish society and forces leaders to think high-low to ensure peace and prosperity.
Full post here.
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
WP: Israeli forces enter al-Shifa Hospital, calling it a ‘targeted operation against Hamas’
TST: Israel raids Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital, urges Hamas to surrender
The most revealing moment from my trip to Israel Thomas L. Friedman
The West Bank, a cauldron threatening to explode: Anger is running high in the territory occupied by Israel where almost 200 Palestinians have been killed since October 7. Le Monde
The ‘axis of resistance’ pushing US to ramp up Middle East defenses: Iran-backed network triggers fears that Israel-Hamas war could spread within region. FT
Ukraine seeks to reignite counteroffensive with daring river crossings: WSJ reports Ukrainian toeholds across the Dnipro River in the south are a rare bright spot amid glum military news in recent months.
Ukraine liberated Kherson city. A year later, Russian bombs still rain down. WP reports relentless Russian bombing has killed scores of residents of Kherson and the region, which President Vladimir Putin claims to have annexed, defying reality and international law.
How Ukraine’s secret agents re-learned the art of shadow warfare AFP
WP: Putin, eyeing reelection, signs law to allow voting in occupied Ukraine
How dirty money and Russian riches flow through Cyprus, a gateway to the EU: Tax advantages. Golden visas. Judicial leniency. The Cyprus Confidential investigation by Le Monde and its partners, based on leaks, sheds light on how the island's economic model was allowed abuses, despite warnings from anti-fraud watchdogs. Le Monde
How can Cyprus exploit its gas in a geopolitical minefield? Cyprus boasts vast natural resources. But the Mediterranean island is divided, politically and ideologically, posing problems for its gas exploitation plans. DW
Southeast Asia's digital battle: Chinese and US Big Tech face off over $1tn market: Geopolitics drive competition in AI, cloud and e-commerce sectors amid social media boom. Nikkei
APEC Summit: Biden and Xi to meet in the US: The upcoming second summit meeting between the American and Chinese presidents, within the framework of the annual Asia-Pacific meeting, seeks to reestablish a degree of stability in the deteriorating relationship between China and the United States. Le Monde
AFP: Ahead of Xi talks, Biden says US 'not trying to decouple from China'
China’s Xi, in need of a win, appears ready to engage with Biden WP
BBC: Xi Jinping arrives in the US as his Chinese Dream sputters
Why Xi can no longer brag about the Chinese economy WSJ
Bloomberg: Elon Musk and Jane Fraser are just some of the CEOs hoping to woo China’s Xi
US and China agree to displace fossil fuels by ramping up renewables: NYT reports the climate agreement between the two countries is seen as a bright spot as President Biden prepares to meet President Xi Jinping.
Farewell to the US-China golden age Farah Stockman
How the Xi-Biden summit is seen in Germany: The US and China are engaged in an economic battle. The threat of a new Cold War is looming, and so are fears of military confrontation. Germany is torn between its most important ally and its biggest trading partner. DW
Chinese media hails David Cameron’s foreign secretary appointment: The Times reports Cameron was described by a Communist Party newspaper as a political figure who has ‘the potential to breathe new life into the China-UK relationship’
NHK: Japan, US, South Korea agree on multilayered security cooperation
WSJ: Japan’s economy shrinks for first time in three quarters
Japan's GDP shrank in Q3 as inflation saps consumer demand: Nikkei reports annualized 2.1% contraction reflects weak consumption and investment
TST: Australia confident China will lift all trade blocks in December
WP: Denmark is proposing a ‘green tax’ on all flights
Paris will have residents vote on increasing parking fees for heavy SUVs: Le Monde reports the vote, to be held in February, will be the second city-wide referendum on urban matters, after residents in April voted to ban rental e-scooters from the capital.
AFP: Mali junta seizes rebel stronghold of Kidal
Ethiopia and Eritrea: Is a new war looming? Ethiopia and Eritrea made peace in 2018, formally ending their border conflict. But control of the Assab port, which serves both countries, has sparked new tensions and led to fears of a fresh dispute. DW
OTD: In 1889, Brazil was proclaimed a republic after a military coup d’état, ending imperial rule after independence from Portugal in 1822.
*** Politics + Elections ***
House passes plan to avert shutdown: WSJ reports the Republican measure, which extends funding federal agencies into next year, relied heavily on Democratic support.
House passes short-term bill to avert government shutdown: WP reports the bill now goes to the Senate just days before the deadline, without any of the deep spending cuts conservative Republicans had sought.
Influencers boosted Biden in 2020. Now some are turning on him: The president courted online celebrities to get his message to young voters. But the war in Gaza has some eyeing alternative candidates. Rolling Stone
WP: Inflation eased in October in latest sign of cooling economy
Signs of slower spending appear as the holidays approach: WSJ reports rising debt-servicing costs are complicating plans in many countries for more military and climate spending.
Miami Herald: Mayor Suarez’s secret side gigs included advising associates of Kremlin-linked oligarch
Eric Adams cultivated close ties with Turkey before corruption probe: WSJ reports the New York mayor, who hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing, says he is cooperating with federal authorities.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
Look out. Streaming is turning into cable TV. “Free” or discounted combinations of streaming subscriptions can be a good deal. Or you might pay for entertainment you don’t really want — just like cable TV. WP
AI outperforms conventional weather forecasting methods for first time: FT reports Google DeepMind’s model beat world’s leading system in 90% of metrics used and took only a fraction of the time.
Google wants governments to form a ‘global AI corps’ WP
TST: Tim Hortons comes to Singapore
*** Culture ***
Napoleon review — all hail Joaquin Phoenix’s captivating emperor: Ridley Scott’s spectacular epic features horses, cannonballs, and a brilliant double act from Phoenix’s Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby’s Joséphine. The Times
Napoleon film review — Ridley’s Scott’s lairy epic of military genius and rapid-fire sex: Joaquin Phoenix portrays an all-conquering but cuckolded emperor opposite Vanessa Kirby’s brittle Josephine. FT
He won’t stop taking pictures until he’s partying on the other side: At 85, Henry Diltz is one of the last great rock photographers still living (and working). His new book is a document of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the ’60s, and his own history. NYT
*** Sport ***
WP: In surprise move, Rory McIlroy resigns from influential PGA Tour board
CNBC: PGA Tour says it will offer players equity ownership after it seals deal with investors
+ The PGA Tour said it will begin to offer professional players direct equity ownership in the new company that will be formed after it reaches a deal with investors.
+ Talks with the Saudi Public Investment Fund are the tour’s “top priority,” Commissioner Jay Monahan wrote in a memo.
Bill Belichick is about to get fired, and nobody cares Will Leitch
AFP: 'Matilda' Australia's word of the year after Women's World Cup run
Chelsea boss Hayes confirmed as US women's soccer coach: AFP reports Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States in a record deal that will make her the world's highest paid women's football coach, the United States Soccer Federation said Tuesday.
EURO 2024 qualifiers: Israel to play 'home games' in Hungary: DW reports the Gaza conflict has forced Israel's national teams and clubs in European competitions to move their home games abroad.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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