China’s growing ties with Serbia point to new ‘Silk Curtain’ in Europe
August 20th, 2025
Via Nikkei Asia, a look at Beijing’s expanded Balkan presence, with Washington focused on Ukraine: Southeast of the “Iron Curtain” famously described by Winston Churchill in 1946, a new group of China-friendly nations is forming a north-south line that runs through the heart of Eurasia. While this “Silk Curtain” — which runs from Hungary in […]
Read more »Why Iran Can’t Keep The Lights On
August 19th, 2025
Via The Asia Times, insight into how chronic power deficit, rooted in aging infrastructure and economic mismanagement, is crippling Iranian industry and life: For Iranians, the seasons are now marked by two certainties: rolling blackouts during the scorching summer heat and toxic smog from burning low-grade fuel in power plants during the freezing winter. This […]
Read more »Ethiopian Airlines: Africa’s Undisputed Champion, Gulf Challenger
August 18th, 2025
Via The Africa Report, a look at Ethiopian Airlines’ aggressive growth plans: Flush from record results, Ethiopian Airlines will open a $10bn mega-airport in Bishoftu in 2029, as competition intensifies on Africa-Asia routes. Ethiopian Airlines is doubling down on its ambition to be Africa’s dominant carrier and a global player. In 2029, it plans to open […]
Read more »Guinea: Key for Countering China’s Gallium Dominance?
August 15th, 2025
Guinea may be small in geography, but it sits atop vast mineral wealth. It holds the world’s largest bauxite reserves and is well-positioned to become a major supplier of gallium—a critical mineral required for semiconductors but whose exports China has restricted. As this short video shows, Guinea has been on the U.S. minerals map since […]
Read more »Ex-NBA Exec Plans African Sports Hotel Chain After $26M Rwanda Launch
August 13th, 2025
Via Semafor, a report on an ex-NBA executive’s plans for an African sports hotel chain after $26M Rwanda launch: A new $26 million sports-themed hotel in Rwanda that aims to tap into the country’s growing hospitality market will be a template for expanding other sporting businesses across Africa, the former National Basketball Association executive that […]
Read more »Mexico, Malaysia, and India Want to be the Next Big Semiconductor Hubs
August 12th, 2025
Via Rest of World, an article on how manufacturing powerhouses Mexico, Malaysia, and India want to become less reliant on expensive imports — without competing with Nvidia or TSMC: Mexico, Malaysia, and India are ramping up their semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. One of the goals is to make legacy chips, which can be used in electronics […]
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.