China, Ron DeSantis, Fika, Met Gala, Qatar’s World Cup, plus 1,000 more actionable insights.
ITK Daily is geopolitical business intelligence for communications pros.
Happy Thursday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
Bloomberg: US warplanes carry out a ‘self defense strike’ in Syria
Israel says it wiped out Hamas’ weapons chief: Politico reports Mohsen Abu Zina was leading developer of weapons used by Palestinian militant group, says Israel Defense Forces.
Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's agent of chaos: The fundamentalist minister, who advocates all-out war in both Gaza and the West Bank, is trying to put pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu. Le Monde
WP: Israeli troops fight in the heart of Gaza City as U.S. opposes any reoccupation or displacement
WP: Biden and Bibi are at odds over fighting ‘pause,’ endgame
CNN: Inside the angst and anxiety gripping the Biden administration over the Israel-Hamas war
Britain’s home secretary uses a pro-Palestinian march to sow discord: The Economist reports the right to protest is fundamental—as is an independent police force.
+ Westminster is having a massive row about the chance a pro-Palestinian march this weekend could clash with armistice events.
+ Rishi Sunak summoned Metropolitan Police Commission Sir Mark Rowley to Downing Street after the police chief refused to cancel a planned pro-Palestine march.
+ The march is happening not on Remembrance Sunday but on Armistice Day, when not much usually happens.
AFP: France’s political parties bitterly divided over Paris march against anti-Semitism
WP: Gaza must not be reoccupied, should be run by Palestinians, says Blinken
China ready to improve ties with US 'at all levels': VP: AFP reports Beijing is ready to hold talks with the United States at "all levels," China's vice president said Wednesday ahead of an expected summit in San Francisco between leaders Xi Jinping and Joe Biden next week.
+ Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said recent high-level meetings between Beijing and Washington were sending "positive signals" that relations were improving.
TST: Washington's pandas return to China amid diplomatic strains
The state of US-China relations: H2 2023 Report - November 2023 Morning Consult
+ Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin embarks on his ninth trip to the Indo-Pacific theater this weekend, with visits set for India, South Korea, and Indonesia.
The right way to deter China from attacking Taiwan: American hard power is not enough. Ryan Hass + Jude Blanchette
China, Australia agree to boost engagement in trade, energy: Caixin reports that in yet another sign of improving relations, both sides also agreed to strengthen engagement in political dialogue and climate change.
As Bhutan and India reaffirm friendly ties, China remains the elephant in the room Nirmala Ganapathy
Uruguay reflects Latin American drift from US, turn to China: A democratic, pro-trade country in a region governed by populists strengthens ties with China after struggling to secure a free-trade deal with the US. WSJ
US finance agency lends to Sri Lankan port to counter Chinese influence: WSJ reports the US International Development Finance Corporation is joining forces with the Adani Group, strengthening ties to India and an embattled conglomerate.
Kishida hopes to meet Xi on sidelines of APEC summit: Nikkei reports that Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is considering holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit to be held in San Francisco next week.
Comparing views of the US and China in 24 countries: In recent years, views of the United States and China have changed a lot. This year, the U.S. is largely viewed positively in the 24 countries we surveyed. At the same time, China is seen much more negatively – especially in high-income countries. However, favorability does not tell the whole story. Both countries are seen positively in some ways and negatively in others. Pew
Analysis: Abandonment of 'Likonomics' limits Xi Jinping's options: Key economic policy meeting delayed as leader looks for achievement he can tout. Nikkei
Singapore has recognized the real danger of disinformation: Hamas attacks and anti-vaccination campaigns show the need for safeguards. Ben Chester Cheong
Indonesia calls on West to help it develop EV manufacturing power: Nikkei reports the deputy investment minister says the country is 'open to anybody,' not just China.
Japan eyes $13bn in aid for chips, generative AI in stimulus budget: Nikkei reports that TSMC, Rapidus, and Intel projects to receive support under METI proposal.
AP: Putin calls for closer Russia-China cooperation on military satellites and prospective weapons
American views on the Ukraine war in 6 charts Gallup
+ Republican support for the Ukraine war has withered since the start of the conflict
+ 41% of Americans say the US is doing too much to support Ukraine
+ Democrats remain steadfast in support of the current approach to Ukraine
+ 64% of Americans say neither side is winning the war
Macron's Africa policy: The story of a disillusionment: Despite his lauded ambition to renew relations between the ex-colonial power and its former sphere of influence, the French president has failed to truly overhaul relations with the continent. Le Monde
WP: Sudan paramilitaries seize Darfur cities in major advance, amid massacres
AP: Groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State take root on the coast of West Africa
Economists warn electing far-right Milei would spell ‘devastation’ for Argentina: The Guardian reports more than 100 economists, including Thomas Piketty and Jayati Ghosh, published open letter ahead of the country’s 19 November election.
*** Politics + Elections ***
Voters deliver few bright spots for GOP as political reality hits home: WP reports Donald Trump’s chaotic leadership, the divided House Republican conference, and the Supreme Court’s abortion decision have produced untold damage to the Republican Party.
Elections 2023: Democrats enjoy a strong night: They score victories in five of the six key races we were watching, although off-year elections do not necessarily predict the following year. SCB
WP: Ohio becomes 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana
Grassroots support for legalizing marijuana hits record 70%: Gallup reports support for legalizing marijuana in the U.S. is highest among Democrats and liberals, but majorities of Republicans and conservatives are also in favor.
Gallup: Democrats' rating of Biden slips; Overall approval at 37%
+ Democrats’ rating fell 11 points to 75%, the lowest of Biden’s presidency
+ 37% overall approval rating, down from 41% in September, matches record low
+ Biden’s 11th-quarter average approval rating is 40.0%, similar to Trump’s
Ron DeSantis’s biggest donor is considering backing Donald Trump: FT reports space-exploring property baron Robert Bigelow says Florida governor is not the ‘commander’ US needs.
Donald Trump looks terrifyingly electable: If America’s presidential election were held tomorrow, he would probably win. Economist
A Trump win would change the world: Were he to return to the White House, the implications for the US, its allies, and the global economy are sure to be profound. Martin Wolf
‘We live in a land of idiots’: A large legislature in a small state offers some tough lessons on the limits of government reform. Politico
What does the US Space Force actually do? Inside the highly secretive military branch responsible for protecting American interests in a vulnerable new domain. NYT Mag
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
The sun is smaller than we thought it was: Measurements of sound waves passing through the sun seem to confirm that it isn’t as big as we thought, and we don’t fully understand its interior. Alex Wilkins
A new law supercharged electric car manufacturing, but not sales: President Biden’s 2022 climate act spurred big investments in US battery factories, but it has not similarly boosted EV sales. NYT
FT: EV maker Polestar in need of $1.3bn cash injection to break even by 2025
+ Polestar said it now targeting a gross profit margin “in the high teens” for 2025, with a total annual volume of roughly 155,000 to 165,000 vehicles.
Geely eyes $10 billion EV foothold in Southeast Asia: Caixin reports that the Chinese automaker is partnering with local firm Proton to release a new compact EV in Malaysia, while building a base to house facilities for R&D and manufacturing.
WP: FDA approves new obesity drug from Eli Lilly
Reuters: Amazon dedicates team to train ambitious AI model codenamed 'Olympus' -sources
WP: Meta will require campaigns to disclose use of AI in political ads
AI was not even in the top 20 business risks in a ‘shocking’ survey of nearly 3,000 corporate leaders Fortune
Former NYSE president in talks to reboot FTX exchange: WSJ reports Tom Farley’s new firm has joined two other suitors in an auction for the bankrupt crypto exchange founded by Sam Bankman-Fried.
Fall of a ‘trailblazer’: What WeWork’s bankruptcy means for flexible working: As office space group navigates Chapter 11 protection, rivals must also face down threats from tech and hybrid working. FT
Goldman Sachs is reportedly looking to divest its General Motors credit card business as it continues to move away from consumer lending.
‘We do not want to deal with customers like you!’: A family-owned restaurant has had enough of one-star reviews. Jacob Sweet
Fika, four-week holidays – and zero overtime: Sweden’s stunningly healthy work culture: From wellbeing allowances to generous parental leave to a bonus in your pay packet when you take a break, the Scandinavian country has a lot to teach the rest of the world. Guardian
*** Culture ***
Picasso masterpiece kicks off auction season forecast to sell $2.5bn in art: Guardian reports the 1932 painting of secret ‘golden muse’ heralds first big lot of autumn with Warhol and Rothko works also up for sale.
What’s the 2024 Met Gala theme? Danya Issawi
*** Sport ***
She caught a ‘monster’ wave. Months later, she’s in the record books. Rick Maese
The complicated legacy of Qatar’s World Cup WP
Why sports mogul Ted Leonsis ignored critics and courted Middle East money WP
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
