Caracal Global Daily
Caracal Global Daily is a human-curated global intelligence briefing that connects geopolitical developments, economic trends, and strategic business insights.
February 11, 2026
Detroit, MI
*** Ross Rant ***
Trump's "drop dead" economics: How Trump is dismantling the Global Great Lakes advantage
From my work desk, I look south across the Detroit River, and I can see Canada. Living in an American border town, I see opportunity and growth, but Team Trump sees fears and acts petulantly. We are witnessing one of the most consequential economic policy mistakes unfolding in real time.
President Trump's threat to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge—a $6.4 billion, "once-in-a-generation" infrastructure investment built to ease cargo flow between the United States and Canada- isn't just rhetoric. It's a window into how Team Trump's tariff strategy is systematically dismantling the competitive advantages that have made North American manufacturing viable in a globally contested economy.
Let's be clear about what's happening: A sitting US President is threatening to prevent the opening of infrastructure that the Canadian government financed, that US workers helped construct, that incorporates US steel, and that Michigan jointly owns.
The stated rationale? America needs Canada to ensure the US is "fully compensated" and treated with proper "respect." This rationale isn't policy. This is economic theater at the expense of real businesses operating in one of the world's most economically integrated regions. Trump repeatedly does what makes sense for special-interest politics, but rarely what makes sense for broader American economic interests.
The Global Great Lakes
The Detroit-Windsor corridor, which connects the state of Michigan and the province of Ontario, represents something exceptional in the North American economy.
The broader Great Lakes region generates between $6 trillion and $9.3 trillion in annual GDP, supporting 107 million residents and 51 million jobs across eight US states and two Canadian provinces.
If the Global Great Lakes region were an independent nation, it would rank as the world's third-largest economy. That's not hyperbole.
The supply chain architecture spanning this border wasn't built overnight or by accident. It evolved over decades of bilateral investment, technical integration, and mutual advantage. The automotive sector alone depends on seamless parts flow across the Ambassador Bridge daily - the span moves roughly $300 million in daily cross-border trade, yeah, daily.
Manufacturing facilities on both sides of the border are designed as integrated operations rather than isolated entities. This isn't just interdependence; it's engineered efficiency.
The Gordie Howe Bridge is needed to support this economic juggernaut, as the existing infrastructure has reached capacity. By all accounts, the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge will reduce congestion, lower logistics costs, improve competitiveness, and generate economic growth across both countries. Blocking it doesn't strengthen American economic security. It thwarts it.
The tariff escalation trap
Trump's bridge threat doesn't exist in isolation. It's part of a broader tariff escalation campaign. Team Trump's worldview has profound implications for how American businesses must restructure their operations and government engagement strategies.
Here's what the data tells us: Trade partners don't absorb tariffs passively. History demonstrates this with remarkable consistency. When one nation implements protectionist measures, others respond with countermeasures. This creates cascading economic effects that extend far beyond the initial policy announcement. We've seen this pattern repeat across multiple administrations and decades. The promised protection becomes economic friction.
For executives across Fortune 1,000 companies—particularly those in manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, and advanced industrial sectors—the bridge dispute signals a broader reality: The administration's negotiating style prioritizes political leverage over economic outcomes. That distinction matters enormously for strategic planning.
What this means in practice:
Supply chain vulnerability: Companies that optimized their North American supply chains around frictionless border crossing now face existential uncertainty. Just-in-time manufacturing—the competitive standard for decades—becomes riskier by the day. Tariffs increase component costs. Bridge delays increase logistics costs. Countermeasures from trading partners restrict market access. The cumulative effect is a margin compression across multiple business functions.
Interest rate pressures: In an environment of elevated tariffs and supply chain disruption, inflation risks increase. The Federal Reserve's response framework becomes less predictable. For capital-intensive industries that depend on favorable financing costs, this creates planning risks that weren't present eighteen months ago. Businesses can't reliably forecast borrowing costs or capital deployment timelines.
Government relationship architecture: The bridge dispute reveals a critical point: Traditional, play-it-safe, wait-it-out approaches to government relations are woefully inadequate in this environment. When policy decisions are driven by personal dynamics rather than economic analysis, companies need different engagement strategies. Multi-front, high-low-stakeholder communication is a must-have.
What must business leaders do now?
This moment demands a systematic strategic response, not reactive commentary.
First, ruthlessly map your tariff exposure. Identify which supply chains face tariff vulnerability, which customer bases face margin pressure, and which markets face countermeasure risk. This isn't a theoretical exercise. This is operational survival planning.
Second, evaluate supply chain restructuring timelines. Some companies will need to build redundancy into their North American operations. Others will explore production relocation. Still others will adjust product mix or customer segmentation. These aren't quick decisions. They require serious capital allocation, technical evaluation, and international coordination. Start now.
Third, develop government engagement strategies that operate across multiple jurisdictions and stakeholder groups. The bridge dispute involves Canadian provincial governments, US state officials, business chambers, labor unions, and transportation authorities. They all made compelling economic arguments. Yet Team Trump acts on a mindset that is devoid of sound judgment - we are experiencing policy by personality. This suggests that traditional lobbying and government relations approaches are insufficient. Companies need more sophisticated frameworks to understand and influence policy formation in an era of persistent economic nationalism.
Fourth, prepare your investor and board communications now. Tariff policies, supply chain disruption, and interest rate uncertainty all affect earnings outlooks and capital deployment timelines. Transparent communication about these risks—and your company's strategic response—builds confidence with institutional investors and boards of directors.
Caracal Global's global business know-how
This environment is precisely why geopolitical business communications have shifted from a sideshow concern to an operational necessity.
Companies operating in North America's integrated economy now operate at the intersection of globalization, domestic politics, and economic policy. That intersection is where uncertainty originates. It's also where strategic advantage emerges for companies that understand it clearly.
Caracal Global specializes in this exact territory. We work with senior executives, board members, and CEOs responsible for geopolitics, corporate affairs, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and communications. Our clients include Fortune 1,000 companies navigating tariff volatility, supply chain disruption, and government engagement challenges—rely on us to translate geopolitical developments into actionable business strategy.
A Michigan-born geopolitical strategist leads Caracal Global, and the firm specializes in Globalization + American Politics. Caracal Global provides intelligence, strategy, and communications services to clients navigating today's interconnected business environment. Our leadership brings direct experience in US-China commercial relations, national political campaigns, NATO engagement, the energy and automotive sectors, and media dynamics. We understand how policy is formed, how stakeholders mobilize, and how business communications influence outcomes.
The Gordie Howe Bridge dispute is instructive. It demonstrates how policy decisions that appear economically irrational often carry profound political logic. Understanding that distinction—and translating it into strategic business response—is what we do.
Businesses in the Global Great Lakes and across North America shouldn't simply react to tariff policy or threats to halt border crossings. They should engage with it strategically, clearly, and with sophistication, communicating their economic impact and competitive interests to multiple stakeholder groups.
The path forward
Windsor's Mayor Drew Dilkels described the Gordie Howe Bridge as an event that, "in normal times," would be celebrated by leaders of both countries. He's right. The bridge represents exactly what successful North American economic policy should produce: infrastructure that strengthens regional competitiveness, creates jobs across borders, and facilitates commerce.
The blocking threat is precisely what a failed policy produces: uncertainty, economic friction, and damaged confidence.
For business leaders across the Global Great Lakes and beyond, the moment demands clarity. Tariff policies will continue escalating. Supply chains will require restructuring. Interest rates will remain elevated. Trump will act petulantly. Government relationships will become more needed, not less.
Companies that respond strategically by mapping exposure, restructuring operations, engaging stakeholders, and communicating high-low will navigate this environment successfully. Those who wait for clarity or assume past patterns will persist will find themselves dangerously exposed.
The bridge will likely open regardless of Team Trump's rhetoric. But the principle it represents — a global business environment of integrated, border-spanning economic cooperation — faces a genuine threat. Companies should act accordingly.
-Marc
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
‘Now we’re in a power struggle’: Europe’s resentment grows over Trump’s newest provocations: Politico reports President Trump has backed off his threats toward Denmark's territorial sovereignty, but he and aides have continued to irritate much of Europe.
France launches Orion 26, its biggest military drill since the Cold War: Euronews reports France began its largest military exercise since the Cold War on Sunday, deploying 12,500 troops in a three-month drill designed to prepare for high-intensity warfare in Europe. The Orion 26 exercise, which runs until 30 April, will involve 25 ships, including the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, 140 aircraft, 1,200 drones, and forces from 24 countries.
Finland’s Stubb sees US seeking transatlantic reset in Munich: Bloomberg reports Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said he expects the US will use the Munich Security Conference this week as an opportunity to reset the strained transatlantic relationship. “I hope the Munich conference will help improve relations, and I believe the United States will come with that mindset,” Stubb told reporters in Helsinki on Tuesday.
+ Vice President JD Vance will forgo attending the Munich Security Conference this year. Vance's decision comes one year after he delivered a combative speech at the summit, criticizing European leaders for regulating online speech and accusing them of suppressing conservative voices.
Trump’s new start on nuclear weapons: The collapse of 1980s treaties shows the limits of arms control. WSJ-Editorial
Meloni tightens security policy as political tensions grip Italy: Le Monde reports the heavy atmosphere since the summer of 2025 has been exacerbated by footage of a police officer being violently assaulted by protesters in Turin at the end of January.
Emmanuel Macron: 'Now is the time for the EU to launch a joint borrowing capacity, through eurobonds': Le Monde reports two days ahead of a meeting of European Union heads of state and government in Brussels, the French president calls on the 27 member states, in an interview with Le Monde and several other European newspapers, to make joint investments in protecting the environment, as well.
AFP: Macron visits steel mill as ArcelorMital confirms €1.3 bn low-carbon furnace project
US remains top export market for French wines and spirits, despite 21% drop: Le Monde reports the French Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters reported that exports of wine, champagne, and cognac fell by 8% in value year-on-year in 2025, to €14.3 billion.
Starmer too ‘weak’ to sack Streeting, prime minister’s allies admit: FT reports health secretary forced to put ambitions on hold as uneasy truce settles over Labour ahead of electoral tests.
Why MAGA loathes London: Trump and his supporters see the UK capital as the symbol of a Europe facing ‘civilisational erasure.’ Edward Luce
Investigation into Mandelson’s Epstein links will go back to Blair era: The Times reports UK civil servants will trawl records going back more than 25 years for evidence of inappropriate contact between the disgraced peer and Jeffrey Epstein.
King Charles tries to limit the fallout from Andrew’s Epstein mess: How much did palace servants know and when did they know it? Economist
Moscow restricts Telegram as it pushes rival state-backed messaging app: Le Monde reports that, on February 9, Russian users of the messaging and calling app Telegram began reporting access issues. Russian authorities have denounced Telegram for allegedly failing to take action against its use for 'criminal and terrorist purposes.'
The $108 oil war: Can the Middle East crash the world economy? Bloomberg
US weighs seizing tankers carrying Iranian oil to pressure Tehran: WSJ reports, but using the same strategy the White House directed at Venezuela is seen as likely to spark retaliation by Tehran and a surge in oil prices.
WP: Trump mulls second aircraft carrier off Iran, as Netanyahu flies to DC for talks
The Times: Trump weighs bolstering ‘armada’ near Iran before Netanyahu visit
Why Saudis feel squeezed even as the economy booms: Young people grousing about service jobs and high rents sound like their peers in the West. Economist
Indonesia prepares to deploy thousands of troops to Gaza: FT reports Jakarta makes biggest commitment yet to Donald Trump’s international peacekeeping force.
Why are Taiwan's Nvidia suppliers investing billions in the US? Jensen Huang lauds island's supply chain, but AI boom and geopolitics spur American expansions. Nikkei
US to send 200 troops to help Nigeria fight Islamist insurgents: WSJ reports Americans will train local forces, but won’t see combat, officials say.
Colombian senator kidnapped, president targeted in election run-up: AFP reports a Colombian senator was kidnapped and held hostage for hours Tuesday as the country's president reported an attempt on his own life in the run-up to elections that observers have warned could be marred by violence.
Amid US pressure, Nicaragua blocks a once-popular route from Cuba: NYT reports the Trump administration has criticized Nicaragua for serving as an illegal immigration pathway to the United States.
Bloomberg: Cuba is in an energy crisis with no oil imports for the first time in a decade
Life in Cuba is grinding to a halt under the US oil blockade: WSJ reports the island is in crisis as airlines cancel flights, hotels close, and authorities furlough workers.
No oil, no lights, few flights. Cuba is in a very dark place: The Times reports Trump believes the island will be the next to fall to American dominance — but it is not clear just how the blockade will lead to regime change.
WestJet, Air Transat join Air Canada in cancelling flights to Cuba: G+M reports both airlines will send empty planes to the island to bring home customers in the coming days.
Bloomberg: JD Vance removes Armenian ‘genocide’ post after visit to memorial
+ Vice President JD Vance’s office said a now-deleted post that recognized the 1915 mass killings of Armenians as a genocide was sent in error.
+ The post was about a wreath-laying ceremony at the Armenian Genocide memorial that Vance and the second lady attended during a trip to Armenia.
+ A White House Press Secretary said “there’s been no change of policy at this time” regarding the recognition of the conflict as genocide.
Vance acknowledges Armenian genocide, then deletes post, igniting outrage: WSJ reports that by deleting the social-media post, Vice President JD Vance upset Armenians after a historic visit.
Chinese cars are coming to the US — like it or not: In a world being conquered by China’s auto companies, one redoubt stands out: The US. It deters Chinese companies with sky-high tariffs and a ban on auto software systems developed or controlled by them. It is also the biggest auto market in the world by revenue and one of the most profitable — China’s auto giants would love to find a way in. Liam Denning
Detroit News: President Trump threatens to block Gordie Howe International Bridge from opening
Trump threatens to block opening of bridge between US and Canada: WP reports as the Gordie Howe Bridge nears completion, Trump, in his latest salvo against Canada, suggested he would “not allow” it to open, saying Canada had treated the US “very unfairly.”
BBC: Trump threatens to block opening of US-Canada bridge
Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge to Canada: NYT reports the Gordie Howe International Bridge, expected to open early this year, was built by Canada to ease cargo transport between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
Trump threatens to block opening of bridge between US and Canada: As the bridge connecting Michigan and Ontario nears completion, the president suggested he wouldn’t allow it to open, saying Canada had treated the US “very unfairly.” WP
Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge between Detroit and Canada: WSJ reports Canada funded the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is nearly complete.
Canada’s Carney tries to resolve Trump demands over new bridge: WSJ reports the US president has threatened hold up the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Michigan and Ontario, which is set to open this year.
Carney tells Trump Canada paid full cost of building Gordie Howe bridge: G+M reports the prime minister points out the bridge’s ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and Canada.
Toronto Star: Mark Carney says Donald Trump bridge threat will be ‘settled’ following call with US president
Trump’s bridge threat heralds pain and turmoil for USMCA talks Lawrence Herman
Trump’s gunboat diplomacy hands China a $55 trillion economic edge: Donald Trump has anchored his security initiatives in the Western Hemisphere and the Middle East. Asia remains a far more valuable sphere of influence. Bloomberg
The Mirror: Trump's tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year
+ New analysis shows Trump’s tariffs have pushed up US living costs, with consumers bearing most of the burden as the Supreme Court weighs the legality of the policy.
Ford discloses additional $900 million tariff hit: WSJ reports the Detroit automaker reported its largest-ever quarterly loss on EV-related charges.
AFP: Ford results dented by tariffs, supplier outage
House Republicans again seek to stop time to avoid vote on Trump’s tariffs: For the third time this Congress, GOP leaders are seeking to effectively nullify a law that requires a quick House vote on a measure demanding an end to President Trump’s tariffs. NYT
Rule vote postponed amid tariff backlash: Politico reports GOP leaders face significant internal opposition from a band of tariff-skeptical Republicans.
Who wrangled the best trade deal from Donald Trump? The agreements look one-sided. Their consequences may not be. Economist
$2 trillion: The amount the global crypto market has shed in value since hitting its peak last October.
US slips to 29th place in global corruption perception index: UPI reports that the United States is at its worst ranking ever on a global corruption perception list released Tuesday, which measures how independent experts and businesspeople perceive countries' corruption. The country slipped one step to 29th place among 182 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. It's the lowest rank for the United States since the index changed its methodology in 2012.
*** US Politics + Elections ***
American optimism slumps to record low: The percentage of US adults who anticipate a high-quality life in five years declined to 59.2% in 2025, the lowest level since measurement began nearly two decades ago. Since 2020, future life ratings have declined by 9.1 percentage points, projecting an estimated 24.5 million fewer people who are optimistic about the future now than then. Most of that decline occurred between 2021 and 2023, but the ratings dropped 3.5 points between 2024 and 2025. Gallup
Ahead of jobs report, White House seeks to downplay any slowdown: NYT reports President Trump’s top aides have argued in recent days that the economy is strong, even if new data on Wednesday show sluggish hiring.
Even Trump can’t go back to the future: To MAGA, the 1950s were a better time. But the White House can’t bring it back. William A. Galston
Howard Lutnick says he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island in 2012: FT reports US commerce secretary grilled in Congress over his relationship with late sex offender.
Lutnick says he visited Epstein’s private island with his wife and children: WSJ reports Trump’s commerce secretary appeared to contradict previous comments that he avoided the sex offender after visiting his New York home in 2005.
Politico: Howard Lutnick faces bipartisan calls to resign over latest Epstein revelations
The Epstein files are creating headaches for the Sununus and Shaheens in New Hampshire: Politico reports the founder of Segway has longstanding ties with the Sununu and Shaheen families — and, we now know, Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein directed aide to obtain hidden video cameras: NYT reports: “I’m installing them into Kleenex boxes now,” the aide replied in the 2014 email exchange.
How Jeffrey Epstein — and an NYC dentist — got his girlfriend into Columbia: Bloomberg reports using donations and his network of contacts, the disgraced financier touted and sought influence at many top educational institutions across the US.
Bloomberg: Tesla’s Kimbal Musk linked to Epstein’s ‘girls’ in latest emails
How ICE defies judges’ orders to release detainees, step by step: A Politico review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
Trump to repeal landmark climate finding in huge regulatory rollback: WSJ reports move would reverse legal determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health.
US Labor Board gives up oversight of SpaceX in victory for Musk: Bloomberg reports agency drops yearslong case over firing of Musk critics.
‘He was the antidote’: Samuel Alito speaks out on Antonin Scalia and the drafting of Dobbs: In an exclusive interview, the Supreme Court justice remembers a friend and conservative icon’s legacy. Politico
NYT: Republican cash edge threatens to swamp Democrats in the midterms
+ “Donald Trump has 99 problems going into the midterms. But money ain’t one.” -- Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson, quoted by the New York Times.
Republicans are pushing to drastically change the way you cast ballots: WP reports explaining the SAVE Act, which Republicans in Congress are voting on this week.
ME-SEN: Republican Sen. Susan Collins today formally announced her reelection bid.
TX-SEN: Turning Point Action, the political arm of Turning Point USA, has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in his bid to unseat longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in a race that could determine whether the GOP maintains its Senate majority.
Democrats gain an edge as poll show doubts on Trump energy strategy: Politico reports energy affordability is expected to play a role in the midterm elections this year.
The NY congressional race on the frontlines of an AI industry civil war: Top artificial intelligence executives are spending big against Democratic House candidate Alex Bores. But his campaign is also raking in donations from AI experts and tech employees. Politico
Georgia Republicans allow RNC to break party neutrality to support Burt Jones: Politico reports that any move to intervene in Georgia could reshape a crowded race for an open governor’s seat in a premier battleground state.
Eric Swalwell (D) picks up steam in California gov's race, adds Schiff endorsement: Politico reports the former House colleagues built their profiles working together on impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.
Conservative media titan set to back Ted Cruz 2028 presidential campaign in shock blow to JD Vance: Daily Mail reports Senator Ted Cruz (TX-R) told donors that he expects Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy to back his 2028 presidential bid, the Daily Mail can reveal, handing the Texan a significant conservative megaphone in his likely challenge to Vice President JD Vance.
The left needs a sharper AI politics Ross Douthat
The US is awash in natural gas, but American factories still can’t get enough: Pipelines curtailed or otherwise restricted the flow of gas to manufacturers more than 40 times last year, a trade group says. WSJ
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
CNBC: Disappointing holiday season: December retail sales were flat, falling well short of estimate
+ Retail sales were flat in December following a 0.6% increase in November. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected an increase of 0.4%.
+ On an annual basis, sales rose 2.4%, failing to keep up with inflation, as the consumer price index for December posted a 2.7% increase.
Paramount Skydance Corp. made enhancements to its hostile offer for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., addressing some of the company’s concerns in an effort to thwart a rival deal with Netflix Inc.
TSMC turns Japan into 3rd advanced chip base as AI demand soars: Nikkei reports leading contract chipmaker unable to keep pace using Taiwan, US plants alone.
Inside OpenAI’s decision to kill the AI model that people loved too much: WSJ reports ChatGPT’s 4o model was beloved by many users, but controversial for its sycophancy and real-world harms linked to some conversations.
Google turns to century-long debt to build AI: AFP reports Google-parent Alphabet will issue bonds maturing in 100 years as it continues to invest massively in infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
Bloomberg: Jack Ma-backed Ant bets on AI health in $69 billion sector race
+ Ant Group Co. is betting on health care powered by artificial intelligence to fuel its next phase of growth, after reining in its ambitions following a derailed initial public offering.
+ The company plans to reach most of China's people with its AI-powered health services within three years, and has elevated its health unit to the same level as operations, including Alipay and its lending businesses.
+ Ant's health care strategy includes AI Doctor Agents, digital avatars trained by physicians to handle routine patient inquiries, and an AI health app called AQ that aggregates health data and answers general questions.
AI is giving you a personalized internet, but you have no say in it: The relentless addition of artificial intelligence in popular apps raises questions about what’s at stake. The answer: the future of the internet and its lifeblood, digital advertising. NYT
Daniel Ek and Peter Thiel-backed start-ups win German military drone contracts: FT reports Helsing and Stark contracts to supply unmanned weapons to Bundeswehr worth up to €4.3bn in total.
Elon Musk’s go-to banker is back in action for the SpaceX IPO: WSJ reports Michael Grimes is leaving government to return to Morgan Stanley and work on possibly the biggest initial public offering ever.
‘The race is on’: Will Elon Musk be the first to put a data centre in space? Tech billionaire’s desire to put computer infrastructure into orbit is central to $1.25tn plan to merge SpaceX with xAI. FT
Don’t let Elon Musk monopolize space compute: A case for more antitrust enforcement. Matthew Yglesias
Ford says EV woes will continue to plague company despite writedown: FT reports the carmaker posts full-year net loss of $8.2bn owing to $19.5bn charge it disclosed last month.
The booming business of luxury grocery stores: A new crop of gourmet grocers has hit the city, drawing lines of trendy TikTokers, MAHA-curious health fiends, and Instacart devotees who want to pop in for a treat. WSJ
What fast food’s downturn says about the US economy: Restaurants have raised prices to offset rising labour and ingredient costs, leading low-income customers to visit less often. FT
WSJ: Red Lobster CEO says seafood chain needs to get smaller
Britney Spears sells rights to her music catalog: US media: AFP reports Britney Spears has become the latest musician to sell the rights to her catalog that includes hits like "...Baby One More Time" and "Oops!...I Did It Again," US media reported Tuesday.
Become an octopus organization: How your company can adapt to a complex world. Jana Werner + Phil Le-Brun
*** Culture ***
40m: The number of Spanish speakers in America, making it the fifth-biggest Hispanophone country in the world.
*** Sport ***
Justin Verlander is back where it all began, signing a 1-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic nightmare continues with slalom collapse: WSJ handed the chance to win a gold medal in the team combined event, the American delivered one of the worst slalom races of her career, and finished off the podium.
What’s up with Mikaela Shiffrin? A startlingly poor slalom costs her team a medal. WP reports that after a rough performance four years ago in the Olympics, Shiffrin can’t close in the new team combined competition. Paula Moltzan and Jackie Wiles take bronze.
Toronto Star: US blows out Canada in women’s hockey in preliminary round win
1,300: The pounds of pasta being served, each day, to Olympic athletes at cafeterias at the Winter Games in Italy.
How one prediction-market trader played the Super Bowl—and lost $100,000: For Liam Kane and others like him, the NFL title game was an opportunity to bet against new and often inexperienced bettors. WSJ
Bloomberg: Super Bowl gives prediction bets record $1.2 billion trading day
+ Kalshi Inc. said it registered over $1 billion in trades related to the Super Bowl, a record surge that underscored the threat that booming prediction markets pose to traditional gambling companies.
+ The New York-based startup hosted $871 million in trading on Sunday alone, topping its previous busiest single day by 60%, according to estimates by Bank of America Corp.
+ Analysts have grown increasingly bearish on gambling companies in recent months as prediction markets have presented a formidable competitive threat much more quickly than many anticipated.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Global Daily | February 10
Caracal Global Daily
Caracal Global Daily is a human-curated global intelligence briefing that connects geopolitical developments, economic trends, and strategic business insights.
February 10, 2026
Detroit, MI
*** Ross Rant ***
Why Fortune 1,000 companies need a communications doctrine now
You wouldn't navigate tariff wars without a supply chain strategy or manage rising interest rates without a capital allocation framework. Yet many Fortune 1,000 companies approach geopolitical communications reactively, responding to headlines rather than operating from a coherent doctrine. That's a mistake with real consequences.
A communications doctrine is your north star.
It's a foundational framework that guides everything you say, how you say it, and when you say it. It transforms your communications from scattered responses into a unified strategy aligned with business objectives. In today's fractured geopolitical environment—where US-China tensions reshape supply chains, the breakdown of the Transatlantic relationship, tariffs that are creating cascading costs, and stakeholder expectations that shift overnight—having a doctrine isn't optional. It's an operational necessity.
Consider what's happening now.
Businesses face an endless cycle of tit-for-tat tariffs that demand coordination across government affairs, investor relations, and media strategy. Supply chains are being rebuilt around geopolitical risk, not just cost optimization. Interest rates remain elevated, constraining capital while stakeholders demand clearer communication about these headwinds. Without a unified communications doctrine, you're exposing yourself to exactly what happened with New Coke: brilliant execution of the wrong strategy.
A proper doctrine requires hard work. It demands intelligence gathering across geopolitical developments that affect your business. It requires analyzing past communications victories and failures to inform future tactics. It requires short- and long-term forecasting of how political shifts, regulatory changes, and global tensions will reshape your operating environment. Most critically, it requires discipline.
Your doctrine will be more "no" than "yes."
Your doctrine should push back against the instinct to respond to every crisis. It will eliminate scattered messaging across regions and stakeholders. It will battle the institutional tendency to default to traditional corporate-speak when markets demand clarity about geopolitical risk. This means involving stakeholders, be it boards, executives, government relations teams, investor relations, and communications, in doctrine development. Alignment is harder than reaction, but infinitely more valuable.
The stakes are measurable. Companies with coherent geopolitical communications doctrines navigate tariff cycles more effectively. They secure stakeholder support in times of need. They maintain credibility when discussing the impact of interest rates and capital deployment. They don't look blindsided by predictable geopolitical shifts because their doctrine has prepared them to anticipate and navigate them.
For senior executives navigating tariffs, supply chains, and geopolitical complexity, Caracal Global specializes in the exact challenge you're facing. As a geopolitical business communications firm with experience in US-China relations and political campaigns, Caracal Global helps Fortune 1,000 leaders develop intelligence-driven communications strategies at the intersection of globalization, disruption, and politics.
Building doctrine takes time. Caracal Global can help.
The payoff is straightforward: companies with established communications doctrines achieve their geopolitical business objectives. Those without one? They chase reactions, miss opportunities, and damage stakeholder relationships when communications feel inconsistent or unprepared.
The question isn't whether to invest in a communications doctrine. It's whether you can afford not to.
-Marc
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
Israel assumes broad new powers in the West Bank: WSJ reports a new measure approved by the security cabinet makes it easier for Israelis to buy land in territory that would be at the heart of any Palestinian state.
AP: Israel says Netanyahu will meet with Trump on Wednesday about Iran talks
Bloomberg: Iran hardens crackdown on political dissidents after US talks
Is Macron's attack on video games targeting the wrong enemy? President Emmanuel Macron, who believes that violent video games condition young people, has started a commission to 'scientifically measure their effect' on children. Yet hundreds of studies on the topic have established no link between violence and playing video games. Le Monde
Keir Starmer’s inconvenient truth: Labour must stop believing things because they are politically helpful and engage with the world as it really is. Stephen Bush
Bloomberg: Starmer catches a break as UK cabinet gives show of support
Starmer lives to fight another day after cabinet rally: The Times reports PM insists he won’t walk away and ministers send a wave of supportive messages after Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, called for him to resign.
Labour’s Scottish leader tells Starmer to quit: Politico reports Anas Sarwar was once a close ally of the embattled PM. His intervention Monday was followed by a show of support from Starmer’s allies.
Starmer is in danger of becoming first leader to fall in Epstein scandal: WSJ reports fallout has hit an already unpopular British leader.
Why Sir Keir Starmer remains on the brink: It is not just about Peter Mandelson. Economist
Prince and Princess of Wales ‘deeply concerned’ as Epstein files roil UK: WP reports the latest tranche of Epstein files put added scrutiny on some of Britain’s elite, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson, the former US ambassador.
Investment giant KKR ditches Mandelson lobbying firm: KKR, a shareholder in companies such as Travelopia and Flora Food Group, has cut ties with Global Counsel following new revelations about Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Sky News learns.
Bloomberg: UK tightens security after review reveals scale of budget breach
Ukraine is leaning into its Christianity as it presses its case in Washington, saying common bonds of faith mean the two nations should strengthen their ties.
Ukraine seeks a war plan beyond killing as many Russian soldiers as possible: WSJ reports Russia’s grinding, slow-motion advance weakening Kyiv’s hand at the negotiating table.
Russia’s sabotage campaign is becoming bolder: Hacks against Polish energy plants suggest the FSB is involved. Economist
Europe’s big week of crisis diplomacy: The very future of the continent will be up for debate in a packed few days of top-level talks. Politico
Trump is a global ‘wrecking ball,’ European security experts say: The organizers of the Munich Security Conference, Europe’s main defense-related forum, said in a report that President Trump is helping destroy the postwar international order. NYT
‘It feels like a betrayal.’ Germany’s painful estrangement from the US: The unravelling of transatlantic ties has shocked a country that had an emotional attachment to the relationship. FT
Hong Kong court sentences Jimmy Lai to 20 years: NYT reports the media tycoon, a Chinese-born British citizen, had been a persistent critic of Beijing. The sentence is the harshest penalty so far under a national security law.
Trump-Xi summit set for first week of April: Politico reports the summit could be the first of four meetings this year between the two leaders.
Bloomberg: China Urges Banks to Curb Exposure to US Treasuries
China once stole foreign ideas. Now it wants to protect its own: The country’s courts are inundated with intellectual-property cases. Economist
Will Japan’s first female PM court controversy after landslide win? Sanae Takaichi secured 316 seats for her Liberal Democratic Party in largest parliamentary majority since the Second World War. The Times
Japan's Sanae Takaichi emboldened by landslide victory in snap elections: Le Monde reports the ultra-nationalist's Liberal Democratic Party secured an overwhelming majority in Sunday's elections. The new balance of power is expected to allow the prime minister, backed during her campaign by US President Donald Trump, to accelerate the implementation of her hard-line agenda.
How Japan’s prime minister will use her massive new mandate: A remarkable election victory that will reshape Japanese politics for years to come. Economist
Investors give an exuberant welcome to Takaichi’s big win in Japan: NYT reports stocks climbed on Monday as investors cheered a result seen as a mandate for the prime minister’s high-spending economic agenda.
Trump's support for Japan's Takaichi masks fury over investment delays: Nikkei reports US leader suspects foot-dragging, but Tokyo wants to be first to announce major project.
Sanae Takaichi targets changes to Japan’s constitution after landslide election win: Prime minister says she feels ‘heavy responsibility’ to strengthen country. FT
Takaichi’s victory holds a foreign-policy lesson for the US Chris Estep
Bangladesh struck a trade deal with America, setting a 19% tariff on most exports.
Singapore clocks 5% GDP growth in 2025 as AI challenge rises: Nikkei reports manufacturing drives expansion as city-state grapples with tech disruptions.
Chinese companies overtake US in Singapore investment: Businesses have been using city-state to avoid geopolitical scrutiny and expand abroad. FT
Eritrea responded to Ethiopia after it said that Eritrea was occupying parts of Ethiopia and supporting armed groups in the country, calling the accusations “patently false and fabricated.”
One of Dubai’s most powerful executives discussed sex, business with Epstein: Emails show Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem corresponded with the disgraced financier for more than a decade after Epstein was first jailed in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution. Bloomberg
Bloomberg: Brazil moves to ban teen access to online gambling, porn content
+ Brazil's government is preparing rules to ban youth access to gambling, pornography and similar content online by requiring age-verification measures.
+ The rules would apply to app stores, platforms and websites that include advertising for certain content, and would require them to verify the ages of users.
+ The decree is part of a new law set to take effect in March that seeks to protect Brazilian minors by restricting youth access to content that is illegal or considered harmful.
Bloomberg: Cuba isn't getting oil imports from anyone for the first time in a decade
+ Mexico's decision to halt oil shipments to Cuba has delivered a fresh blow to the fuel-starved country, with the island logging its first month without oil imports in a decade.
+ Oil imports to the island reached zero in January for the first time since 2015, according to data from shipping reports and Kpler Ltd, due to a US naval blockade and threat to impose tariffs.
+ Cuba is facing shortages of everything, from cooking gas, to water and electricity, with multi-hour lines at gas stations and at least two large beach resorts shutting down due to gasoline shortages.
Air Canada Cancels Flights as Cuba Runs Out of Jet Fuel: NYT reports the Trump administration’s crackdown on oil shipments to Cuba is beginning to wreak havoc on the Caribbean island’s travel industry.
Air Canada suspends flights to Cuba amid fuel shortage: G+M reports airline says it will fly home the 3,000 customers on the island, but has ceased all southbound service.
Cuba runs out of jet fuel as Donald Trump squeezes oil supplies: FT reports Air Canada is first major airline to suspend flights to the island over inability to refuel planes.
G+M: German minister says auto industry in talks to expand footprint in Canada
Bloomberg: Trump threatens to block Detroit-Canada bridge in new row
+ “I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” Trump said on social media Monday. “We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset,” he added.
US plans Big Tech carve-out from next wave of chip tariffs: Exemptions would be based on chipmaker TSMC’s US investment commitments, officials say. FT
US seizes tanker in Indian Ocean after monthlong chase from Caribbean: WSJ reports sanctioned ship was eighth vessel apprehended by US in connection with quasi-blockade of Venezuela’s oil industry.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright to brief senators on Venezuela energy issues: Politico reports members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will receive a classified briefing on Tuesday.
Trump turns to US military leaders for diplomatic efforts on Iran and Ukraine: AP reports Trump has taken the unusual step of tapping military leaders for high-level diplomacy, sending the top US commander in the Middle East to talks over Iran’s nuclear program and positioning the Army secretary as a key negotiator on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
US embassy in London denies visas to executives over minor offences: FT reports immigration lawyers say top-level corporate figures and tech leaders among those barred from visiting America.
How US special forces are training in an Arctic warfare bootcamp: WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen is the first civilian to take part in this grueling training with a unit of American Green Berets. WSJ
The changing physics of the Arctic are the real defence threat: Critical operational zones are becoming more unpredictable. Florian Krampe
+ The writer is the director of the climate change and risk programme at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Newly unbound, Trump weighs more nuclear arms and underground tests: NYT reports it remains to be seen whether the three big nuclear powers are headed into a new arms race, or whether President Trump is trying to spur negotiations on a new accord now that a last Cold War treaty has expired.
*** US Politics + Elections ***
NY Mag: Ghislaine Maxwell: I’ll talk for a pardon
Politico: Ghislaine Maxwell pleads the Fifth in House Oversight Epstein investigation
Politico: Howard Lutnick faces bipartisan calls to resign over latest Epstein revelations
US lawmakers call on Howard Lutnick to step down over ties to Epstein: FT reports Democrats and Republicans say commerce secretary has not been honest about his ties with the late sex offender.
Jeffrey Epstein paid Les Wexner $100mn after retail billionaire accused him of theft: FT reports private settlement sought to avoid ‘unnecessary public attention’, prosecutors’ report said.
AP: Masks emerge as symbol of Trump’s ICE crackdown and a flashpoint in Congress
Judge strikes down California’s ban on masks for federal agents: NYT reports the state can require federal agents to display identification, the judge said. The Trump administration had asked the court to block both laws, which were designed to help identify federal agents.
Immigration raids in South Texas are starting to hit the economy: Trade groups are raising alarms about aggressive immigration enforcement hurting businesses in the region. WP
Legality of Trump’s $400M in private funding for White House ballroom at issue: WP reports a federal judge weighing whether the project may proceed has focused on whether the administration can use private donations to bypass congressional approval.
Gateway funding doesn’t have to be immediately restored, judge says: NYT reports a federal judge had ordered the funding for a $16 billion tunnel project restored last week, but on Monday granted a temporary stay after the federal government appealed her decision.
Trump set off a surge of AI in the federal government. See what happened. The White House is accelerating AI adoption across government, embedding the technology in policing, health care, defense, and science. WP
A post-Trump restoration is still possible: His presidency may eventually be seen as an aberration rather than a permanent shift. Gideon Rachman
DOJ seeks to undo Bannon’s conviction for defying Jan. 6 subpoena: WP reports Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for DC, said a judge should dismiss Stephen K. Bannon indictment over defying a Jan. 6 subpoena “in the interests of justice.”
Trump’s ‘stop the steal’ lawyer probing 2020 election fraud has access to sensitive US intel: Politico reports top US intelligence agencies are cooperating with Kurt Olsen, who worked with Trump to undermine the results of the 2020 election.
Trump leaves Republicans guessing on midterms plans as outlook darkens: WP reports the president is said to be eager to increase his involvement, but on some days sounds detached and noncommittal.
Texas Senate race could be a match for the ages Ed Kilgore
New York City Republicans risk losing lone GOP voice in Congress: Bloomberg reports Staten Island’s status as a Republican stronghold in a city dominated by Democrats is under threat amid a Congressional redistricting fight.
Jerrold Nadler has picked a successor. Will that matter to voters? WP reports the retiring congressman hopes his endorsement will carry Assemblyman Micah Lasher past a crowded primary field, including a Kennedy.
‘Vance is handcuffed’: The tech fight bedeviling 2028 Republicans: Republicans’ evolving stances on AI are offering a preview of the post-Trump debates within the party. Politico
‘Devastated and exhausted’: Washington Post looks to life after Will Lewis: The newspaper’s staff welcome chief executive’s departure but fear what may come next after drastic job cuts. FT
Listening to Joe Rogan: How a gift for shooting the shit turned into an online empire—and a political force. David Remnick
THR: Amazon MGM goes on offense as ‘Melania’ gets sacked at Super Bowl box office
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
America must follow China in treating data as an asset: US accounting principles fail to recognise its enormous economic value. Mike Kuiken
Meta, YouTube design apps to addict kids, jury hears as landmark trial begins: Reuters reports Meta Platforms and YouTube deliberately designed products they knew would addict children, a lawyer for a woman suing the two companies told jurors in California on Monday at a trial that will test whether Big Tech platforms can be held liable for their app design.
Meta and YouTube created ‘digital casinos,’ lawyers argue in landmark trial: NYT reports opening statements began in a trial claiming social media companies design addictive products that cause personal injury.
Meet the one woman Anthropic trusts to teach AI morals: The tech company has tasked Amanda Askell with giving its chatbot, Claude, a sense of right and wrong. WSJ
Insurance broker stocks sink as AI app sparks disruption fears: Bloomberg reports US insurance broker stocks were pummeled Monday as the launch of an artificial intelligence tool from privately held online insurance shopping platform Insurify sparked fears about the industry facing disruption.
Alphabet lines up 100-year sterling bond sale: FT reports deal comes as Google parent steps up AI borrowing rush with $20bn sale of dollar bonds.
Bloomberg: Alphabet embarks on global bond spree to fund record spending
+ Alphabet Inc. raised $20 billion in its biggest ever US dollar bond sale, more than the $15 billion initially expected, after racking up one of the biggest order books of all time.
+ The company is planning debut deals in Switzerland and the UK, including a rare sale of 100-year bonds, to finance its artificial intelligence ambitions.
+ Alphabet's big borrowing spree comes as tech companies are ramping up spending to meet their ambitious artificial intelligence plans, with capital expenditures for the four biggest US tech companies forecast to reach about $650 billion in 2026.
$660bn: The collective sum Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have pledged to spend on AI in the coming year.
How to hedge a bubble, AI edition: Protecting your portfolio from a crash looks harder than ever. Economist
Bloomberg: AI helps scam centers evade crackdown in Asia, dupe more victims
+ Criminals in Southeast Asia are using inexpensive AI tools to target bigger pools of potential victims at high speed, making their cons more sophisticated.
+ AI allows scammers to change course quickly, shifting to newer targets and from fresh locations, and helps with voice cloning and creating realistic images for profiles.
+ The use of AI is likely to reshape the phenomenon of scam centers, making them more willing to run the risk of being caught, and allowing operators to scale up at low cost.
Bloomberg: Microsoft hit with second downgrade as Melius warns on AI risks
AI blitzes the big game: DealBook reports ads pitching artificial intelligence companies dominated the Super Bowl broadcast. Their huge cost probably didn’t ease investor worries about spending.
+ Almost a quarter of this year’s Super Bowl ads — 15 of the 66 spots, which sold for an average of $8 million for 30-second slots — featured AI, according to iSpot, a TV advertising analytics company.
Bloomberg: China’s Pony AI, Toyota start ramp-up of self-driving car model
BYD faces a tough market in Japan as rivals win bigger EV subsidies: Nikkei reports Chinese automaker looks to plug-in hybrids to win over long-distance drivers.
Why General Motors is making a ‘risky’ bet on an unproven battery technology: Driving down costs is top priority for head of electric cars at Detroit carmaker. FT
Elon Musk’s relentless AI pursuit has him on the hunt for capital: Spiraling costs have prompted talk of a Tesla and SpaceX merger as the billionaire looks to use his empire to fund his ambitions. Bloomberg
Reuters: SpaceX prioritizes lunar 'self-growing city' over Mars project, Musk says
From fishing nets to furniture: Turning ocean plastic into usable products: A brother-and-sister team in Spain started a sustainable business model recycling old and damaged nets into stadium seating and decorations. NYT
“Flying” electric boats could remake urban transport: The convergence of three technologies has made possible the reinvention of the hydrofoil. Economist
‘They want their pound of flesh’: bank bosses push strict return-to-office mandates: FT reports culture, pay, and expensive offices among reasons for ending remote work.
The 10 best Super Bowl ads of 2026: AdWeek picks the standout commercials of Super Bowl 60. AdWeek
The Super Bowl ads, ranked: Here is our critic’s survey of this year’s Super Bowl commercials, from best to worst to AI. NYT
Indonesian beauty retailer Sociolla eyes 500 stores and ASEAN expansion: Nikkei reports CEO attributes rapid rise to offline-online strategy and winning over brands.
De Beers likely to be sold to consortium, Anglo chief says: FT reports Duncan Wanblad says buyer will probably include both government and private entities.
Three cups of tea or coffee ‘lowers risk of dementia by almost a fifth’: The Times reports a large study from Harvard University suggests that caffeine has a protective effect on the brain with three cuppas a day the optimum amount.
*** Culture ***
Bad Bunny uses ioy to put out political firestorm at Super Bowl halftime: WSJ reports: ‘We’re still here,’ Puerto Rican superstar says in Spanish while spiking a football.
Wuthering Heights review — Margot Robbie is a Brontë Barbie: Emerald Fennell’s film fails to reflect the complexity of the greatest gothic novel in English literature — and the less said about Jacob Elordi the better. The Times
Bloomberg: NYC private school tuition breaks $70,000 milestone for fall
+ The top private schools in New York City plan to charge more than $70,000 this year for tuition, exceeding that of many elite colleges, as they pass on the costs of soaring expenses, including teacher salaries.
+ Schools explain the increases by pointing to rising expenditures and the escalating costs of living in New York,k which requires higher salaries to retain top teachers and staff.
+ Tuition can include learning supplies, meals, and extracurricular programs like field trips, and some schools provide financial aid to students, with amounts varying by school.
*** Sport ***
Lindsey Vonn reveals she suffered a fractured shin bone in Olympic crash: WSJ reports the 41-year-old star, who was racing on a partially rebuilt knee and a torn ACL, said she would require multiple surgeries to repair the leg.
Trump calls US skier a ‘loser’ as politics ripples through Olympic Games: WSJ reports Hunter Hess said he had ‘mixed emotions’ about representing the US right now.
Olympic drones are creating a buzz, but what do athletes think? There are 10 traditional drones being used and more than two dozen first-person-view drones designed to deliver immersive, athlete-level perspectives. WP
2026 Olympics: 'In Russia, even an amateur athlete can become an agent of influence': The Milan-Cortina Olympic Games mark a new stage in the reintegration of Russian athletes into international competitions. The momentum has been fueled by Moscow's efforts to use sports as an instrument of power, explains researcher Lukas Aubin in an interview with Le Monde.
Bloomberg: Gambling stocks sag as prediction markets steal Super Bowl bets
Kalshi and Polymarket rewrite the Super Bowl playbook for pro gamblers: The sudden rise of prediction markets has sophisticated bettors scrambling to adjust their strategies. Bloomberg
The unthinkable trade that remade the Seahawks into Super Bowl champions: Russell Wilson led Seattle to its first championship 12 years ago. But dealing him away helped build the foundation for the franchise to win its second. WSJ
Want to lose weight? Here’s why exercise probably won’t help. As a physician, I want people to know that exercise confers many benefits for our bodies. Weight loss is not one of them. Jordan D. Metzl
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Global Daily | February 5
Caracal Global Daily
Caracal Global Daily is a human-curated global intelligence briefing that connects geopolitical developments, economic trends, and strategic business insights.
February 5, 2026
Detroit, MI
*** Ross Rant ***
Lessons from The Post's Purge: Video is winning. Global is losing.
The Washington Post announced it would eliminate approximately 300 journalists—roughly one-third of its newsroom—including its entire Middle East team, foreign bureaus in key markets, and its storied sports and books sections. Executive Editor Matt Murray was blunt about the reason: "The company's structure is rooted in a different era. In areas such as video, the outlet hasn't kept up with consumer habits."
Translation: Video is happening, whether traditional journalists like it or not. The Buggles warned us in 1979 that "Video Killed the Radio Star." Now it's also killing the foreign desk.
For CEOs and communications professionals navigating global markets, this restructuring signals two fundamental shifts that demand an immediate strategic response: the bifurcation of journalism into incompatible models and the accelerating inadequacy of US-based media for understanding global business risk.
The bifurcation of media
The future of journalism is splitting into two irreconcilable paths. Either you're producing content that is niche, erudite, and expensive—specialized intelligence for sophisticated audiences willing to pay premium prices. Or you're producing content that is mass-market, unlettered, and bargain basement—optimized for volume, video views, and advertising revenue.
There is no middle ground left.
The Post is betting on the latter. Murray's memo to staff made clear the paper is pivoting toward "high-intent digital verticals" focused on technology, climate, and wellness content designed to drive subscriptions through SEO and video engagement. They're shuttering books and sports not because these sections lost readers, but because they don't fit an AI-integrated, video-first distribution model optimized for "consumer habits."
This is the same strategy driving every legacy outlet and notable, since The Post is facing a reported $177 million loss and a 50% drop in organic search traffic. When you can't compete with specialized boutiques charging $2,000 annually for proprietary analysis, you pivot to producing content that competes with TikTok and YouTube for attention. The result is a media landscape where nuanced geopolitical analysis and cultural context—the "soft power" signals that often precede political or market shifts—become luxury goods rather than widely available public resources.
For corporate communications professionals, this bifurcation creates a painful choice.
Do you invest in expensive, specialized intelligence services to maintain information advantage? Or do you accept that your competitors operating with superficial, video-optimized media summaries will miss critical developments until it's too late? The companies that make the right choice will maintain a strategic advantage. Those who assume high-quality geopolitical intelligence will remain freely available are making a costly mistake.
The American media's blind spot
The second trend is equally critical: US-based media outlets are systematically retreating from serious international coverage precisely when global business complexity demands the opposite.
When The Post eliminates its entire Middle East team and closes foreign bureaus while emphasizing that the remaining international presence will focus "almost exclusively on national security issues," they're describing a media environment increasingly incapable of serving multinational corporations.
This creates an urgent imperative for US business leaders and communications teams: you must diversify your information sources beyond American outlets. Relying exclusively on US media for international intelligence is professional malpractice.
Consider what you're missing when your news diet consists solely of domestic sources. The BBC provides unmatched global reach and cultural context across regions that American media ignores. Nikkei offers Asia-Pacific business intelligence that no US outlet matches. Bloomberg and the Financial Times deliver financial and regulatory analysis that connects the dots between markets. The Times of London, Sydney Morning Herald, and Singapore Straits Times provide perspectives on how international partners actually view US policy—insight you'll never get from Washington-centric reporting.
Even the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, despite their quality, ultimately filter global events through American interests and priorities. When The Post announces that its international coverage will emphasize national security over commercial developments, it's simply making explicit what's already implicit across US media: global news is framed through Washington's strategic lens rather than business reality.
For communications professionals developing stakeholder engagement strategies, this matters enormously. You cannot effectively engage European regulators, Asian partners, or Middle Eastern governments if your understanding of their priorities comes exclusively from US sources explaining how those regions affect American interests. You need to read what they read, understand what they value, and recognize how they perceive your company's actions within their political and cultural contexts.
What this means for strategy
The Post's restructuring is a forcing function. It eliminates comfortable assumptions about freely available, high-quality international intelligence. Communications professionals must now make deliberate choices about information sources, recognizing that media fragmentation creates real operational risk for companies navigating tariff volatility, supply chain restructuring, and government engagement across jurisdictions.
Caracal Global specializes in this intersection—helping clients navigate the geopolitical complexities of business through intelligence, strategy, and communications expertise grounded in globalization and American politics.
The video revolution and the retreat of US media from global coverage are not separate trends. They're symptoms of the same disease: the systematic degradation of shared information infrastructure in an era when complexity demands the opposite.
The companies that recognize this early, invest in diverse international sources, and build communications strategies around sophisticated rather than superficial analysis will maintain a competitive advantage. Those waiting for legacy media to reverse course will find themselves operating with information asymmetries that favor better-informed competitors.
-Marc
*** Globalization + Statecraft ***
Can emerging markets’ stellar run continue? There is a lot more going for them than “sell America.” Economist
US, China, and Russia erode the rules-based order, says Human Rights Watch: Nikkei reports the watchdog calls on 'middle powers' like Japan, South Korea, and Australia to step up
Are Trump’s tariffs winning? He says yes, but let’s look at the evidence that voters feel judging by their views of the economy. WSJ-Editorial
The American and Chinese economies are hurtling toward a messy divorce: The breakup is focused on sensitive matters now considered national-security issues, including semiconductors, food, and energy. WSJ
China’s Xi presses Trump on Taiwan in phone call: NYT reports both leaders gave versions of what they discussed, but the Chinese president’s take made clear the issue of the island was front and center.
Trump touts ‘very positive’ call with Chinese leader Xi: WP reports the president noted plans to visit China in April, as Beijing sends a warning to White House over Taiwan arms sales.
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discuss Ukraine and trade ahead of US state visit to Beijing: FT reports call took place after Chinese leader spoke to Vladimir Putin about global instability.
Analysis: Chinese power struggle sends ripples through Japan's election: Xi Jinping's purge of Gen. Zhang Youxia coincides with Sanae Takaichi's election drive. Nikkei
Singapore is urging for international cooperation to curb shadow fleet vessels operating just beyond its territorial waters, as scrutiny intensifies on ships used to evade sanctions.
US, Iran agree to discuss nuclear issues Friday in Oman: WSJ reports the talks had been in danger of collapsing over the agenda and location.
The Times: Iran’s leader ‘should be very worried’, warns Trump
Donald Trump wants to end America’s half-century conflict with Iran: His showdown with Iran’s supreme leader will shape the region for a generation. Economist
Ukraine says Abu Dhabi talks with Russia 'substantive and productive': Le Monde reports the war in Ukraine has become Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. Russia occupies around 20% of Ukraine, but Kyiv still controls around one-fifth of the Donetsk region. Ukraine has warned that ceding ground will embolden Moscow and that it will not sign a deal that fails to deter Russia from invading again.
Ukraine's 'grandfathers' go to war: Le Monde reports Ukrainian army has an average age of 45, significantly older than European standards. The draft has targeted men between the ages of 25 and 60, which contrasts with recruitment practices typically seen in Western countries.
Last US-Russia nuclear treaty ends in 'grave moment' for world: Le Monde reports: 'For the first time in more than half a century, we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the Russian Federation and the United States of America,' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, urging Washington and Moscow to head to the negotiation table.
Are we entering a new nuclear arms race? As the last US-Russia nuclear weapons treaty expires, and Moscow warns of ‘decisive’ measures, the world may be in its most dangerous period since the Cold War. The Times
Britain can’t ignore Europe and China at the same time: Tory criticism of Sir Keir Starmer’s foreign policy shows the party is unserious. Janan Ganesh
Bloomberg: Files show Mandelson sought visa for Epstein via Deripaska
Starmer fights for future after ‘shocking’ Mandelson admission: The Times reports PM outraged his own MPs after saying he had been warned about Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein before appointing him as ambassador to the US.
Mandelson’s web of influence inside the Labour Party: The Times reports dozens of figures in the Starmer project have a history with the man who has been everything from minister and power broker to wedding guest.
Britain’s worst political scandal of this century: The Mandelson affair threatens Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership. Economist
The French connections: Epstein files expose links with France’s elite: The latest tranche of documents suggests the late sex offender’s tentacles reached far into France’s political, banking and arts worlds. The Times
In France's North Atlantic overseas territory, 'no clear sense of worry' among residents over Trump: Le Monde reports the elected representatives of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, home to 6,000 people and the only French overseas territory in the North Atlantic, are aiming to deepen ties with their major partner, Canada, amid growing geopolitical tensions with the US.
I’m the prime minister of Spain. This is why the West needs migrants. Pedro Sánchez
Dutch queen joins armed forces in symbolic move of support for military: NYT reports Queen Máxima of the Netherlands enlisted as a reservist, the Royal House said, because the country’s security “can no longer be taken for granted.”
The angelic Meloni behind a fresco fiasco: A figure resembling Italy’s prime minister on a Rome church wall blurred the lines between religion and politics. Amy Kazmin
How an art restorer sneaked Giorgia Meloni into a church fresco: Romans noticed a winged figure’s odd resemblance to their prime minister. Economist
How Japan’s Iron Lady learned to spend boldly and challenge China: Voters look set to back Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s vision of a more assertive Japan. Markets are wary. Bloomberg
An Israeli visit to the site of the Bondi attack tests Australia: The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is under most pressure. Economist
Venezuela said to detain Maduro allies targeted by the US: NYT reports the questioning of the politically connected businessmen, Raúl Gorrín and Alex Saab, signaled deepening cooperation between the two nations.
Any decision to join US critical minerals bloc will be part of USMCA talks, Anand says: G+M reports foreign affairs minister says Ottawa is not eager to cut a single-sector deal with the US on critical minerals.
White House seeks critical minerals trade zone to curb China’s dominance: FT reports effort marks rare instance of Trump administration aiming to collaborate with global allies on trade.
$500 billion: The value of additional energy and agricultural products that Donald Trump claimed India would buy from America.
*** US Politics + Elections ***
Top Democrat launches probe into ‘Spy Sheikh’ deal with Trump company: WSJ reports World Liberty Financial said lawmakers are “harassing a private American business to score political points.”
Bloomberg: Trump vows to donate any proceeds from $10 billion IRS lawsuit
Trump says his unpredictable style gives him leverage. But it has a cost. A year into President Trump’s second term, his threats, retreats, twists, and turns appear to be wearing on allies and adversaries. NYT
Trump digs in on ballroom size, saying height will match that of White House: WP reports review panels and a federal judge have asked if the project can be made smaller. Historic preservationists say the planned 90,000-square-foot addition will overshadow the mansion.
This is the real reason Susie Wiles talked to me 11 times Chris Whipple
Congress receives redacted version of whistleblower complaint against Gabbard: WSJ reports significant portions of the document had been blacked out for executive privilege.
Bloomberg: Trump orders pullback in Minneapolis, says ‘softer touch’ needed
WP: Border czar Tom Homan says 700 ICE and CBP officers are leaving Minneapolis
Democrats’ push to curb ICE powers hits GOP wall: WSJ reports lawmakers have less than two weeks to reach deal on immigration enforcement before Homeland Security funding lapses.
Supreme Court clears way for California voting map that bolsters Democrats: WP reports the ruling is a major victory for the party, which is seeking to offset a nationwide push by Republicans and President Donald Trump to redraw congressional maps to gain advantage in this year’s midterm elections.
Politico: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to endorse Gov. Kathy Hochul
WP: Gavin Newsom sat by his mother during her assisted suicide: ‘I hated her for it’
Doctors’ group endorses restrictions on gender-related surgery for minors: NYT reports the AMA’s announcement followed a similar recommendation from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Other medical groups argued for a more personalized approach.
New York Times added 1.4 million digital subscribers in 2025: NYT reports the company reported total revenue of $802.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, up 10.4 percent from a year earlier.
Washington Post lays off more than 300 journalists: NYT reports the layoffs cut into The Post’s local, international and sports coverage, and reduced its entire work force by about 30 percent.
CNN: Jeff Bezos remains committed to Washington Post amid brutal layoffs, top editor says
PBS Newshour: Sweeping layoffs at The Washington Post will do 'enormous damage,' former editor says
BBC: Washington Post announces sweeping layoffs, scaling back news coverage
AP: The Washington Post’s sports section was a gold standard, all the way to the end
The murder of The Washington Post: Today’s layoffs are the latest attempt to kill what makes the paper special. Ashley Parker
How Jeff Bezos brought down The Washington Post: The Amazon founder bought the paper to save it. Instead, with a mass layoff, he’s forced it into severe decline. Ruth Marcus
*** Distribution + Innovation ***
AI bots are now a signifigant source of web traffic: New data shows AI bots pushing deeper into the web, prompting publishers to roll out more aggressive defenses. Wired
AI voice company ElevenLabs valued at $11bn after latest fundraise: The Times reports the UK-based AI voice and music-generation business secures a further $500m, tripling its value, following last year’s launch of its ‘iconic voice marketplace.’
How Anthropic achieved AI coding breakthroughs — and rattled business FT
Anthropic is working on a deal that would allow some employees to sell shares in the company at a valuation of at least $350 billion.
Anthropic takes aim at OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Super Bowl ad debut: WSJ reports chatbot wars are heating up, with Anthropic’s Claude highlighting the potential frustration of bringing ads into ChatGPT.
FT: Google set to double AI spending to $185bn after strong earnings
Google to double spending as earnings beat Wall Street expectations: WSJ reports AI is supercharging Google’s advertising and cloud-computing businesses, and the company is ramping up spending to unheard-of levels.
Why absolutely everyone is peddling an AI application: We are either on the verge of widespread adoption or a terrible crash. Brooke Masters
AI’s lending risk getting tougher to compute: Myriad private deals mask scale of funding exposures. Bloomberg
Nikkei: TSMC to make advanced chips for AI at 2nd Japan plant
Elon Musk is betting the future of his business empire on AI: The fates of xAI, SpaceX, and Tesla are increasingly intertwined. Economist
Musk’s boring tunnel in Nashville has mayor hoping no one dies: The Boring Co. is about to embark on its most ambitious tunneling project yet, but critics worry the company is woefully underprepared. Bloomberg
Nikkei: Toyota plans 30% increase in global hybrid production
Leapmotor: China’s no-frills EV maker aiming to become the next BYD: FT reports low-cost carmaker harbours ambitions to go global and rank among the world’s top 10 auto groups.
Walmart became a trillion-dollar company by evolving: The world’s largest private employer refused to compromise on profits. That paid off for workers. WSJ-Editorial
*** Culture ***
Why Stellan Skarsgard wasn’t sure he could handle ‘Sentimental Value’: After a stroke four years ago, the actor has changed how he approaches performances, including the one he’s become an awards favorite for. NYT
Sentimental Value is my favorite film of 2025: I saw the North American premiere at Telluride, where a Q&A with the cast and director revealed layers I didn't fully appreciate during the screening. The film explores family and creativity in a subtle but powerful way. I watched it again recently and found myself catching even more details I'd missed. With an original screenplay, a gifted director, and world-class actors, this film is worth seeking out.
Variety: ‘Wuthering Heights’ first reactions: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s chemistry is a ‘whole other level of hot’ in a ‘bodice-ripping crowd-pleaser’
‘The Muppet Show’ refuses to modernize in its triumphant revival: WP reports on the 50th anniversary of Jim Henson’s show, the Muppets — with a boost from guest star Sabrina Carpenter — pick up exactly where they left off.
Rome’s blundering battle against overtourism: Nonresidents of the Eternal City must now pay a fee to visit the Trevi Fountain—the latest in a series of measures that prove a greater nuisance than the crowds themselves. WSJ
*** Sport ***
Italy says it stopped Russian-linked cyberattacks targeting 2026 Winter Olympics sites: Le Mone reports just hours before the first sporting events, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy had foiled a series of Russian cyberattacks targeting foreign ministry offices and Winter Olympics sites, including hotels in Cortina.
Lindsey Vonn is skiing on a completely torn ACL. Could she still win Olympic gold? The 41-year-old making a comeback on a partially rebuilt knee just tore a ligament in her other knee. But experts say her hopes of competing anyway aren’t totally outlandish. WSJ
Mikaela Shiffrin is skiing’s GOAT. Can she get her Olympic revenge? In a sport where margins are dictated by who stays composed under pressure, the Alpine skiing legend is using every trick at her disposal to take gold at Milan Cortina. Jason Gay
The ice at Milan’s Olympic hockey arena is ready to go – but just barely: G+M reports icemaker confident that much-criticized venues will have NHL quality ice.
Western ski resorts and their terrible, horrible, no snow, very bad year: Little snowpack, strikes by mountain staff, and Trump administration policies that are keeping international visitors away have made this a difficult season in the Rockies and beyond. NYT
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal