Behind Pyongyang’s Boom
July 13th, 2026
Via the Lowy Institute, a look at North Korea’s recent economic growth which – while real – is built on Russian cash, Chinese trade and illicit activity: A June 2026 Wall Street Journal article described North Korea(Opens in new window) as “the world’s most surprising economic success story” – a claim many would instinctively dismiss, yet one that warrants […]
Read more »War Made the Case For IMEC, Not Against It
July 6th, 2026
Via Ethan Chorin’s substack, commentary on how the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor’s vulnerabilities are the very reasons it is worth building: The status of IMEC, or India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, may be the best indicator of who’s winning the current war in the Middle East, and how prepared the region is for worse crises ahead. The […]
Read more »Bishoftu Airport and Ethiopian Airlines’ bid to Become Africa’s largest Hub
July 6th, 2026
Via The Africa Report, a look at Bishoftu Airport, Ethiopia’s $12.7bn giant airport hub that – once it is complete – will overtake Atlanta in passenger numbers – a goal linked to the expansion of the continent’s leading airline: Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) is a colossal project, one that matches Ethiopian Airlines’ ambitions. It is finally […]
Read more »The Trans-Saharan Corridor (Algeria–Niger–Nigeria)
July 5th, 2026
Via Modern Diplomacy, commentary on the proposed Trans-Saharan Railway Corridor linking Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria which the article argues should be understood not merely as a railway but as a strategic instrument for reshaping the economic geography of Africa: The proposed Trans-Saharan Railway Corridor linking Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria should be understood not merely as […]
Read more »China Makes Its Move in Bangladesh
July 1st, 2026
Via Geopolitical Futures, a look at how Chinese investment promises could strengthen Beijing’s position on the Bay of Bengal, but it may not buy the political influence China ultimately seeks: Tarique Rahman, who became Bangladesh’s prime minister in February, was in Beijing last week meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Bangladesh has historically been so […]
Read more »The AI-Powered World Cup Runs on Thousands of Data Workers in Global South
June 23rd, 2026
Via Rest of World, an article on the human annotators in Brazil, Cambodia, and the Philippines are tracking every movement in the football tournament for teams, broadcasters, and the betting industry: Football increasingly relies on advanced data analytics and AI tools to power team tactics, broadcasting, and the sports betting industry. A global workforce of […]
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.