Happy Friday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
Fukushima water release dampens chances of Japan-China detente: Japan Times reports that Japan is now bracing for a new period of wide-ranging tensions with its neighbor as the strained ties look likely to continue into the months ahead.
Japan announces new fishing industry aid after China ban: Japan Times reports the new aid follows a ¥30 billion fund aimed at countering reputational damage. Another ¥50 billion had been earmarked to support the fishing industry.
WP: Japanese ministers eat Fukushima sashimi to show water release is safe
Japan seeks record ¥7.7 trillion defense budget as buildup continues: Japan Times reports the budget request signals that Tokyo remains committed to following through on historic defense reforms instituted in December.
+ The US Space Force is planning to expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific region with a new subordinate command in Japan.
US military in talks to develop port in Philippines facing Taiwan: Japan Times reports the move could stoke tensions at a time of growing friction with China.
AP: China objects as US approves military aid to Taiwan under program aimed at sovereign nations
AP: North Korea launches ballistic missiles toward the sea
CNN: Russia and North Korea ‘actively advancing’ in arms deal negotiations, says US
China infuriates India with new map, upsetting chances of thaw in relations WP
Xi likely to skip G20 summit in India: sources: Japan Times reports the summit was considered an opportunity for Xi and US President Joe Biden to smooth over recent trade and geopolitical tensions.
Bloomberg: Xi planning to skip G20 summit while China-India tensions mount
+ China strains threaten to leave Modi empty-handed in New Delhi
+ Putin is also not planning to attend leader talks for the second year
Bigger BRICS won’t make a stable building: Already riven with a Sino-Indian rivalry, the group will become even less coherent by expanding. Sadanand Dhume
Economic woes spur China's combative foreign policy Nikkei
As China tensions bubble, a new economic weapon of choice has emerged Daniel Silverberg + Elena McGovern
‘Definitely not the first choice’: China has a big tourism problem Bloomberg
AFP: Pope Mongolia-bound to back tiny Catholic presence on China's doorstep
Ukraine pierces main Russian defensive line: WSJ reports after three months of grinding advances in its Western-backed counteroffensive, Kyiv has accelerated its thrust along its main line of attack.
Robotyne is first Ukrainian breach in Russian lines of defense: Le Monde reports the capture of the small village is seen as an important step in the counter-offensive aimed at cutting the land bridge between Russia and Crimea, and thus suffocating Moscow's forces in the occupied areas to the south.
UK: Grant Shapps has been appointed Defence Secretary after Ben Wallace resigned.
BBC: Grant Shapps vows to keep backing Ukraine as UK defense secretary
For Grant Shapps — this is his fifth Cabinet post in just one year.
He must be really good at being in the Cabinet.
Macron's talks with party leaders: 'Past midnight, we got down to the reality of people's lives': The 12 hours of debates with political leaders from his ruling coalition and the opposition included widely consensual issues like the war in Ukraine as well as more contentious topics like immigration and wages. Le Monde
African Union suspends Gabon’s membership after military coup: Al Jazeera reports the body said it ‘strongly condemns the military takeover’ which resulted in the ouster of President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
EU reckons with Africa policy after wave of coups: Europe seems to have ever fewer options as it watches West Africa experience widespread military coups. Ministers meeting in Toledo, Spain had no quick answers to tough questions about the EU's role in the region. DW
Niger’s military rulers order police to expel French ambassador: Al Jazeera reports visas of the envoy and his family are revoked, marking a further downturn in ties and a rise in anti-French sentiment.
Africa is one of the main playgrounds for large and medium-sized powers competing for influence: A month after the coup in Niger, France is all alone in its stance as a defender of democracy. It is hard to see how it can resist the groundswell of opinion rejecting its military presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Sylvie Kauffmann
Chaos looms in the American political dystopia: Donald Trump’s trial has been set for an incendiary date for Republicans as the US heads for a crisis worse than the Capitol riots. Gerard Baker
Joe Biden’s first term and the ‘West Wing’ fantasy of American politics: In “The Last Politician,” Franklin Foer presents the first half of Biden’s presidency as a series of made-for-television moments meant to inspire doubters and assuage critics. NYT
McConnell is medically clear to continue his schedule after freezing episode, Capitol physician says: WP reports Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Wednesday suffered his second public incident of freezing up in five weeks, prompting questions about his health that his aides have declined to address.
Bloomberg: McConnell’s illness intensifies quiet scramble for who’s next
+ Sens. John Thune (R-SD), the whip and second-in-command; John Cornyn (R-TX), a prolific fundraiser and former whip; and John Barrasso (R-WY), the party’s third-ranking senator, are seen as the most likely successors.
MI-SEN: Former US Rep. Peter Meijer is considering a run for the US Senate in Michigan and has formed an exploratory committee.
WP: Biden says $15.5 billion of federal EV funding will prioritize labor standards
Bidenomics is good marketing, confused policy: The administration has laudable ambition — but too many goals, muddled priorities, and scant regard for competitive markets. Bloomberg - Editorial
How artificial intelligence will affect the elections of 2024: Disinformation will become easier to produce, but it matters less than you might think. Economist
Venture capitalist Reid Hoffman to scale back investment role at Greylock: Co-founder of LinkedIn is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential AI enthusiasts. WSJ
Bloomberg: Every AI startup wants a piece of Anguilla — for its web domain
Tim Cook calling: Apple's iPhone 15 event will be held on September 12.
Bloomberg: X plans to collect biometric data, job, and school history
+ In a policy shift, X will expand the type of data it gathers
+ Employment and education history will be used to recommend jobs
The real story of Musk's Twitter takeover: In an exclusive excerpt from his new biography “Elon Musk,” Walter Isaacson offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most surprising and controversial decisions of the mogul’s career. WSJ
How a Vietnamese tycoon built a carmaker worth more than General Motors: Shares of VinFast have eclipsed those of more established rivals even though it sold just 24,000 cars last year. FT
Bloomberg: India seeks to top its moon landing with spacecraft to study sun
Barstool Sports reportedly lays off nearly 25% of staff just weeks after it was sold for $1: FC reports founder Dave Portnoy took a page from Elon Musk’s playbook when announcing the layoffs, telling employees to ‘step the f*** up.’
Refillable wine bottles are coming to Oregon: FC reports startup Revino is launching a new system to reuse wine bottles, with the goal of expanding much more broadly.
Ferrari review — Adam Driver runs out of fuel in a flashy biopic The Times
Ferrari review – Michael Mann’s watchable race-car drama rarely puts pedal to metal Guardian
After Fox News, Geraldo Rivera boats into the sunset (via Cleveland): At 80 years old, the longtime television personality found himself unexpectedly unemployed after more than half a century. So he steered his boat toward the Erie Canal, seeking one last adventure. NYT
The Times: Saudi lobbies Europe to support bid for 2034 World Cup
AFP: PSG land in ‘group of death’ with AC Milan, Dortmund in Champions League draw
Guardian: Hamilton has ‘unfinished business’ after extending deal with Mercedes until 2025
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
