Maldives Signals Tilt Toward China
January 16th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, a look at the Maldives relationship with China and India: President Mohamed Muizzu’s recent visit to China signals a significant shift in the Maldives’ foreign policy, one that is overtly tilted in favor of Beijing. The shift came amidst a visible fraying in India-Maldives relations in recent weeks. In China, Muizzu expressed strong commitment […]
Read more »Cuba’s Economy Is Running on Fumes
January 14th, 2024
Via Geopolitical Futures, a look at Cuba’s economic crisis: After three years on the edge, Cuba’s government can’t conceal the dire state of the national economy any longer. Too few tourists have visited since the pandemic, depriving the island country of the foreign currency it needs to buy fuel from abroad. As a result, industry […]
Read more »TotalEnergies Lifts Namibian Stakes in Boost for Oil Development
January 14th, 2024
Via Bloomberg, a report on TotalEnergies decision to increase its Namibian development program: CEO says deal is ‘key step’ toward developing Venus discovery Shell and TotalEnergies have made large oil finds off Namibia TotalEnergies SE said lifting its stake in two Namibian oil blocks is a “key step” toward developing the Venus field off the coast […]
Read more »Phuket Booms As Wealthy Russians Seek A New Home
January 14th, 2024
Courtesy of Nikkei Asia, a report on a Russian-driven real estate boom in Phuket: “Phuket is a paradise and we welcome everyone who wants it for their second home,” declared Sophon Suwannarat, Phuket’s new governor. Dressed in fine Thai silk, he was guest of honor at the champagne-fueled launch party for Gardens of Eden in […]
Read more »Somaliland: Dialing Up 5G Against All Odds
January 14th, 2024
Via Quartz, a report that Somaliland is one of the first low-income countries to roll out the high-speed network: Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, is making a bold leap into the future by embracing 5G technology. This rollout, amidst ongoing security concerns, poverty, hunger and a complex humanitarian situation, marks a significant step in the country’s reconstruction and development efforts. […]
Read more »Montenegro’s Scandal-ridden Chinese Road
January 14th, 2024
Courtesy of The Diplomat, a look at how – a decade on – Montenegro faces crippling economic challenges and environmental degradation from the ambitious (and still incomplete) highway project: Conceived and planned a decade ago under a near billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) loan by the Export-Import Bank of China, and built by […]
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.