Off Piste In Iran
December 21st, 2015
Via The Economist, a look at Iran’s tourism potential: IT IS not a regular in skiing magazines, but it soon could be. With pistes higher than most European resorts, and lift passes much cheaper, Iran is a bit of a downhill paradise. Its north-facing slopes and high altitudes ensure crisp powder between December and May. […]
Read more »North Korea: The Last Frontier
December 20th, 2015
Via Frontera, an interesting look at North Korea: AS MY FLIGHT began its descent into thick cloud cover, I shifted nervously in my seat. I had only been airborne for a short time, and the experience had been pleasant enough – but I’d no idea what would come next. In the past few years my […]
Read more »China’s Key Cities: From Local Places To Global Players
December 18th, 2015
Via the European Financial Review, a look at the growth and future of some of China’s cities: China projects a huge and continually growing profile and impact on the world stage. Much of this Chinese influence globally is often anchored to and channeled out by its key cities. Shanghai towers over all these cities in […]
Read more »Isis Inc: Loot & Taxes Keep Jihadi Economy Churning
December 15th, 2015
Via The Financial Times, a report on the role that looting and taxes play in keeping the terrorist movement funded: Even under jihadi rule, death and taxes remain the two great certainties of life. Some learn that the hard way. As Isis officials announced a religious tithe known as zakat last summer, Mansour, a 26-year-old grocery storekeeper in eastern […]
Read more »Investing In Cuba’s Future
December 15th, 2015
Via Bloomberg, some commentary on Cuba: Don’t break out your Montecristos just yet, but the U.S. and Cuba just started talks on compensation claims for expropriated property and damages. It’s a promising moment for both sides — and more is at stake than the sums directly involved. Restoring economic ties between the U.S. and Cuba can speed an economic […]
Read more »Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline
December 15th, 2015
Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), analysis of latest developments regarding TAPI: Two workmen stand next to the symbolic first piece of a natural gas pipeline to China outside of Turkmenabat in 2007. Summary Turkmenistan has some of the largest natural gas reserves in the world, but as a landlocked country it has struggled to transport […]
Read more »Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.