The Hole in Donald Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Strategy
June 20th, 2026
Courtesy of the New Yorker, an article on American investors are flocking back to the country’s vast reserves, lured by promises of reform. But the officials who ran the industry into the ground are still the ones in charge. Jarrod Agen, the head of President Donald Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, was in a celebratory […]
Read more »Chinese Businesses Hawking North Korean Labor
June 9th, 2026
Courtesy of the New York Times, a report that – on social media – Chinese entrepreneurs are touting cheap labor across the border, as trade between the two countries regains momentum: Quick deliveries of large orders for stuffed toys, fake eyelashes and crocheted bags that are made with cheap labor, including some workers who are […]
Read more »Why the West Keeps Losing Critical Mineral Assets to China
June 3rd, 2026
Via the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commentary on why the West keeps losing critical mineral assets to China: The contest for critical minerals is increasingly being won or lost long before a mine enters production. Around the world, ownership of strategically significant mineral deposits is changing hands, and Chinese firms are acquiring an […]
Read more »2026 Rankings: The 20 Best-Performing Countries in Africa
June 3rd, 2026
Via The Africa Report, a look at the performance of Africa’s top 20 countries, measured on criteria including governance, influence and innovation. Here are the first takeaways from the top five: South Africa, Mauritius, Namibia, Morocco and Nigeria. South Africa retains its crown. Despite some internal weaknesses, the rainbow nation remains firmly at the top of […]
Read more »Hot Property: Niger ‘Nationalized’ its Uranium, but It Can’t Find a Buyer
June 1st, 2026
Courtesy of The Africa Report, a report on how international arbitration orders, the elimination of Iran as a potential customer and a regional border closure have left Niamey with a stockpile of yellowcake and nowhere to send it: “A dignified Niger is bringing its production to the international market.” On 30 November 2025, Niger’s public […]
Read more »How Morocco Stole South Africa’s Industrial Crown
June 1st, 2026
Via The Africa Report, a look at how – from aerospace to car manufacturing – 20 years of targeted industrial policy have made Morocco the African Development Bank’s top-ranked economy on the continent – as Eskom and Transnet hollow out South Africa’s industrial base: After holding the top spot for 15 years, South Africa has relinquished its […]
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.