Archive for 2023

China and India Compete for Influence in the Indian Ocean

Via The Strategist, commentary on how India and China’s rivalry is reshaping South Asia: Home to almost two billion people, some of the world’s most dynamic economies, and important shipping routes, South Asia is a crucial geopolitical arena and the site of increasing rivalry between two of Asia’s biggest powers—China and India. This growing competition […]

Read more »



China Expands Its Economic Reach Into The United States’ Backyard

Via East Asia Forum, an article on China expanded economic reach into Central and South America: In early March 2023, General Laura Richardson, head of the United States Southern Command, told a US congressional hearing that Chinese actions in South America posed a threat to US safety. According to General Richardson, China is on a […]

Read more »



Chile’s Lithium Industry Holds its Breath as Boric Pursues Nationalization

Courtesy of Stratfor’s Worldview, a look at the impact of Chile’s decision to nationalize its lithium industry: Increased state control of Chile’s lithium sector may lead to a mechanism for new investment, but higher associated costs could limit investor interest. On April 20, Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced that he would seek to “nationalize the […]

Read more »



Tightening Its Belt: China’s New Approach in Africa

Courtesy of Geopolitical Futures, analysis of China’s new approach in Africa: China is moving away from its landmark Belt and Road Initiative in favor of smaller direct investments in strategic projects like renewable power and communications. In 2013, Beijing unveiled the Belt and Road, consisting of huge loans for gargantuan infrastructure projects in the Global […]

Read more »



Iran, Russia Ink $1.6B Rail Deal To Rival Suez Canal

Via Al Monitor, a report on a recent agreement between Iran and Russia to build a railway between two Iranian cities as they continue to develop their trade relations despite US sanctions: Iran and Russia signed a major railway agreement on Wednesday. The deal is part of the International North–South Transport Corridor the two countries […]

Read more »



Economy In Focus: Albania

Via Emerging Europe, a look at Albania’s economy: Albania’s economy enjoyed solid growth in 2022 and the lowest inflation in all of CESEE. With booming construction and tourism sectors, 2023 is set to be another year of progress. Albania has emerged from one of the rockier economic liberalisations in emerging Europe. Enver Hoxha led one […]

Read more »


ABOUT
WILDCATS AND BLACK SHEEP
Wildcats & Black Sheep is a personal interest blog dedicated to the identification and evaluation of maverick investment opportunities arising in frontier - and, what some may consider to be, “rogue” or “black sheep” - markets around the world.

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.