Khmer Fugue: Is Cambodia Slipping out of China’s Orbit?
February 1st, 2025
Via The Economist, a report on how a new generation of leaders could be more receptive to the West: During Donald Trump’s first term as America’s president, Cambodia was a byword in Washington for a Chinese satrapy, or client state. In exchange for at least $1bn in aid each year from 2016 to 2020, American officials […]
Read more »Speeding Up the Economy: The Role of Methamphetamines in the Southeast Asian Boom
October 12th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, an article on how – faced with ruthless economic demands – increasing numbers of Southeast Asian workers are turning to a cheap, addictive drug that enables them to “work without stopping:” Like many teenagers around the world, Ngo started using drugs after being encouraged by his friends. But what separates his experiences […]
Read more »Will Cambodia’s Funan Techo Canal Be A Success?
September 20th, 2024
Via Eurasia Review, analysis of Cambodia’s Funan Techo canal: Mot Yen’s ramshackle kitchen is nestled under an old mango tree. It’s near the end of the season and there’s no fruit on the branches. Part of the kitchen wall has fallen off but the family doesn’t plan to fix it. “We’re moving anyway,” the 56-year-old […]
Read more »The Gulf of Thailand: Next U.S.-China Flashpoint?
September 7th, 2024
Via Nikkei Asia, a look at how Beijing’s backing of Cambodian infrastructure could alter regional balance of power: While geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S. have soared in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, raising serious fears of war, another important body of water in the Indo-Pacific — the Gulf of Thailand — […]
Read more »Can Cooperation Solve Cambodia’s Canal Conundrum?
August 28th, 2024
Via East Asia Forum, commentary on tensions surrounding Cambodia’s Funan Techo Canal which is backed by China: Cambodia’s US$1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal, backed by China, aims to reshape regional logistics and reduce reliance on Vietnam’s maritime routes. While the Belt and Road Initiative-backed project promises enhanced connectivity, it has raised security concerns about its […]
Read more »Southeast Asia’s Old Airports Taking Off Once Again
August 21st, 2024
Via Nikkei Asia, an article on Southeast Asia’s old airports which are revving back to life: Since last year, Indonesian airline TransNusa has routinely shuttled passengers between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur two to three times each day. But when its Airbus A320 plane touched down outside Malaysia’s commercial capital on Aug. 1, it was hailed […]
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.