China Set To Extend Reach in South Pacific with Cook Islands Deal
February 14th, 2025
Via The Washington Post, commentary on the recent agreement between China and the Cook Islands: China and the South Pacific nation of the Cook Islands are poised to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership deal on Friday, raising alarm that Beijing is extending its reach into the region in ways that could have security and environmental consequences. […]
Read more »China: Can Fill West’s Role In Africa In Three Ways
February 12th, 2025
Via The Asia Times, a look at how Chinese investment in critical minerals, arms sales and influence building through regional mediation are all wide open as the West exits Africa: With France fast losing its influence in west Africa’s Sahel region and an unpredictable US president in power, will China fill the vacuum? The Sahel […]
Read more »The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and the Limits of China’s BRI Agency
February 4th, 2025
Via The Diplomat, a report on how CMEC and other Chinese business activities in Myanmar show how exposed China is to escalating conflict risks, and offer insight to the role it is playing in the ongoing civil war: Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the country has experienced a resurgence of political violence. Fighting […]
Read more »Ruili on Edge: A Chinese Border City Loses Its Mojo
January 29th, 2025
Via The Diplomat, an article on how a onetime boom-town has struggled to adapt to domestic policy shifts, anti-fraud campaigns, and the escalating civil war across the border in Myanmar: On January 5, the 2024 Ruili China and Muse Myanmar Cross-Border Marathon came to an end. This event, marked by its distinctive “One Marathon, Two […]
Read more »US-China On Very Real Collision Course Over Panama Canal
January 27th, 2025
Via Asia Times, a look at the growing US-China tensions over the Panama Canal: United States President Donald Trump’s recent pledges to reclaim the Panama Canal have signaled rising US-China tensions in Latin America, America’s resource-rich backyard and traditional sphere of influence. After Trump said in his January 20 inauguration speech that it is time for the […]
Read more »Why China’s Port Play Has Trump So Up In Arms
January 24th, 2025
Via Asia Times, a look at how China has invested billions in 129 ports worldwide, raising concerns the Belt and Road Initiative is quietly being weaponized: On his way to the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro in November, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte to officially open a new US$3.6 billion deepwater […]
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.