During a 2007 meeting in Sochi, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed in her memoir how Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberately used his Labrador to intimidate her, despite knowing about her fear of dogs.
Merkel described the striking account of this diplomatic power play in her memoir. She recounted how Putin allowed his black Labrador, Konni, to approach her during a photo opportunity, even though her fear of dogs had been previously communicated to Russian officials.
The incident illustrates Putin's calculated approach to psychological manipulation in diplomatic settings.
In her memoir, she wrote: "I could tell from Putin's facial expressions that he was enjoying the situation."
This incident demonstrates how authoritarian leaders weaponize personal information to gain a psychological advantage. Putin's deliberate use of Merkel's known phobia shows calculated manipulation designed to create discomfort and establish dominance before substantive discussions even begin.
The non-verbal message Putin sent was clear: "I know your weakness and I'm willing to exploit it."
Imagine how he handles Trump, someone Putin knows who is trying to impress him, and be his best friend.
+ From June 2013: @realDonaldTrump: Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow - if so, will he become my new best friend?
-Marc
Midterms, tariffs, and the Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair has long served as a crucial stop for presidential hopefuls and political advocates using the all-American gathering to connect with voters in an informal, relaxed setting. The tradition dates back to the early 20th century, but it became more significant after the Iowa Caucuses became the first major nominating contest in the nation. The fair's famous "soapbox" stage provides an opportunity for candidates to address crowds and generate media attention, making it an essential part of any campaign's strategy in the state.
Erik Wasson of Bloomberg reports that Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) is utilizing the fair for political purposes. Nunn is one of the nation's most vulnerable incumbents and plans to use the state fair as a backdrop to make his case for re-election. Economic issues like Trump's tariff disputes with countries that buy much of Iowa's agricultural products will be top of mind for voters who will decide his fate.
Trump's trade policies and threatened high tariffs on Chinese imports have prompted Chinese buyers to look elsewhere for agricultural products, particularly soybeans from Brazil. Iowa is the nation's second-largest producer of soybeans, after Illinois.
Staged and scripted fair appearances have another upside: they put politicians in front of constituents while allowing them to avoid town halls, which have become fraught for Republicans who have been confronted by constituents angry about healthcare cuts and other policy changes.
Candidates on both sides admit the state of Iowa's economy will probably be the most important factor in the midterms, and that could ultimately determine which party controls the House.
-Marc
A11.
I am launching a 5x-a-week newsletter focused on globalization and American politics.
I will provide insights and ideas, plus recommended articles to read, podcasts to listen to, and panel discussions to watch.
Before the formal launch on Monday, September 8, I am looking for beta testers who can access the newsletter in advance as a soft opening.
A11 will cover global business issues at the intersection of globalization, disruption, and politics, and the newsletter will help readers navigate today's interconnected geopolitical business environment.
Paid subscriptions will be available for entrepreneurs, executives, and enterprises.
If you want to be a beta tester, drop me an email at marc@caracal.global or send a DM on whatever platform we're connected on.
Enjoy the ride + Plan accordingly.
-Marc