Finland, Anti-Trump, Epic, Frasier, French Alps, 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 ***
The Right Stuff: Breaking the sound barrier + communications excellence
In the book The Right Stuff, Tom Wolfe explores the Mercury Project, NASA's first crewed space missions, and the origins of the astronaut program.
Specifically, the book follows the elite military pilots engaged in post-World War II research, flying experimental rocket-powered and high-speed aircraft.
Chuck Yeager receives special attention.
Like the other pilots in the book, Yeager passed one harsh test after another.
Often, when passing so many rigorous tests, humans think of themselves as special.
Unique.
Otherworldly.
Unprecedented.
Full post here.
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
The IDF has ‘surrounded’ the leader of Hamas in a bunker, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant claimed.
A month into devastating Gaza war, Israel’s end game is no clearer: WP reports the confusion over day-after scenarios is deepening the anger inside Gaza, where Palestinians under bombardment say they are given no voice in their future.
Gaza oversight: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference in Tel Aviv that Israel would take ‘overall security responsibility’ for Gaza for an indefinite period.
WSJ: US pushes back on Israel’s plan for Gaza after war
Ex-Israeli PM Olmert urges US-NATO intervention in Gaza after war: Nikkei reports that Israel must reiterate commitment to a two-state solution, former leader says.
Stars of David graffiti in Paris: Russian interference suspected: Le Monde reports French intelligence services believe the act was commissioned by the Moldovan businessman Anatolii Prizenko. Images were widely shared by the 'Doppelgänger' pro-Russian propaganda network.
The retired Navy admiral making the case for Israel in the White House briefing room: As calls for a cease-fire have grown more pronounced among the hard left, John Kirby has become one of the loudest voices espousing the president’s commitment to Israel’s security. Jewish Insider
+ The aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group, as well as an Ohio-class submarine, have entered the Middle Eastern waters of US Central Command.
US, NATO to suspend participation in landmark Cold War arms treaty: WSJ reports the move follows Russia’s withdrawal from the Conventional Forces in Europe pact.
Reuters: NATO allies condemn Russia's withdrawal from CFE treaty, will suspend its operation
Finland and Russia: Friendly neighbors no more: For many years, Finland and Russia were mainly friendly neighbors. But the war in Ukraine has sown deep mistrust, and many Russians are now no longer allowed to enter Finland. DW
Biden confronts the limits of US leverage in two conflicts: President Biden’s influence over Israel and Ukraine seems far more constrained than expected, given his central role as the supplier of arms and intelligence. NYT
For sale: Data on US servicemembers — and lots of it: Politico reports new research funded by West Point exposes a US security vulnerability and what many see as a gap in federal law.
China’s armed forces - Unknown soldiers: Overestimating China’s armed forces would be dangerous, argues Jeremy Page. Economist (Special Section)
Bloomberg: Biden briefed on Chinese effort to put military base in Oman
+ China has been deepening ties with Middle East nations
+ The Oman base would complement the Chinese facility in Djibouti
Bloomberg: Xi to meet US business executives for dinner in San Francisco
+ Biden and Xi also expected to hold a face-to-face meeting at the summit
+ US and China have stepped up talks on climate, nuclear weapons
Liberté, égalité, and military hardware: France sets its sights on Russia’s former allies: Emmanuel Macron’s European Political Community, launched after Russia invaded Ukraine, is now translating into defense deals. Politico
Portuguese PM António Costa resigns amid corruption probe: Politico reports longtime Socialist leader steps down after police put him under investigation.
Chile vote on new draft constitution is set for December 17: AFP reports Chileans will vote December 17 on replacing the country's dictatorship-era constitution with a new text drafted by a right-wing-dominated council, President Gabriel Boric announced Tuesday.
In Uruguay, a tax haven with lots of beaches and little crime: The South American country’s new policies are attracting Argentines fleeing a deep economic crisis, and some Americans and Europeans, too. Bloomberg
*** Politics + Elections ***
'Morning in America' eludes Biden, despite economic gains: NYT reports seeking re-election in 1984, Ronald Reagan presided over an economy similar in many ways to today’s. But he sold a message of progress and promise.
Anti-Trump forces splinter on alternative candidate as DeSantis, Haley fight on: WP reports with nearly two months until the first nominating contest, anti-Trump Republicans have yet to merge around a consensus candidate against the former president, who holds a commanding lead in polls of the GOP race.
+ A new Punchbowl News survey of lobbyists finds that 82% say there will likely be a US government shutdown between now and January 2024.
CNBC: US crude oil prices fall below $78 a barrel to their lowest since July
+ Collectively, Americans now owe $1.08 trillion on their credit cards, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
Global wine output falls to lowest level in 60-years: DW reports that global wine production has been hit hard by a year of extreme weather in which floods, drought, and frost severely stunted production. The only country that saw a significant increase in production was the US.
Video game giant Epic targets Google app store after losing to Apple: WP reports a San Francisco jury will decide if Google Play is an illegal monopoly. A judge in a similar case against Apple said no.
Google’s Epic legal battle opens up on another front: FT reports the maker of ‘Fortnite’ is suing the search giant, which is also defending itself against a DoJ antitrust case.
Power up: Will Chinese financing be the saviour of the Japanese video game industry? Japan is seen as the home of games, but the sector is struggling – and China is poaching its talent. It’s a power shift that may change the gaming landscape for good. Guardian
AI search is turning into the problem everyone worried about: Google, are you sure no country in Africa starts with a K? Caroline Mimbs Nyce
In regulating AI, we may be doing too much. And too little. Tim Wu
CNBC: Microsoft closes at all-time high on fresh OpenAI-related optimism
EV makers turn to discounts to combat waning demand: WSJ reports that companies and dealers are slashing thousands off purchase prices to attract wary shoppers.
What killed WeWork? In retrospect, it’s surprising that it took this long. Reeves Wiedeman
Why ‘geek’ companies are more successful, according to an MIT researcher: In his new book, Andrew McAfee, cofounder and codirector of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, explores what makes a successful corporate culture. FC
How to stop worrying about what others think, according to a psychologist: Fear of other people’s opinions can keep us stuck and small, says this expert. FC
*** Culture ***
WP: Postpartum millennial moms can’t stop watching ‘Frasier’ reruns
*** Sport ***
Saudi spending spree: Influx of Middle Eastern countries’ money reshapes global sports WP
French Alps launch bid for 2030 Winter Olympics: Le Monde reports France, which is hosting the Summer Olympics in 2024 and has hosted the Winter Games three times, would spread the competition among sites across the Alps.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal produces ITK Daily.
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