Cuba Scrambles To Build Asian Ties Beyond China Under U.S. Pressure
February 7th, 2026
Via Nikkei Asia, a look at Cuba’s desperate efforts to build Asian ties beyond China: The Cuban government is rushing to diversify and enhance ties in Asia, as U.S. President Donald Trump cranks up pressure on the Caribbean island nation following his raid on Venezuela. While China is a traditional ally and leading source of […]
Read more »Syria Signs Landmark Offshore Oil Field Deal with Chevron and a Qatari Investor
February 7th, 2026
Via AP News, a report on Syria’s state-owned petroleum company which recently signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. and Qatari companies on Wednesday for the development of the country’s first offshore oil and gas field: Syria’s state-owned petroleum company signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. and Qatar on Wednesday for the development […]
Read more »How ENI Found an Alternative to Russian Gas in Africa
February 2nd, 2026
Via The Africa Report, a look at how – in the wake of the war in Ukraine – the Italian giant was forced to turn its back on Moscow. Over four years, it has turned the continent – Brazzaville to Luanda via Maputo – into its new gas stronghold: As the Russia-Ukraine war drags on, ENI has completed […]
Read more »An Unlikely Source of Crypto Innovation: Afghanistan
January 28th, 2026
Courtesy of the New York Times, a look at how – even though the repressive Taliban government is suspicious of the internet – a start-up in the country is building blockchain-based tools to transform humanitarian aid: At a bustling money changer in northwestern Syria, a 46-year-old farmer gripped a plastic card like a lifeline. She […]
Read more »DRC Offers Manganese, Copper, Cobalt, and Lithium To U.S. Investors Under Minerals Pact
January 21st, 2026
Via Reuters, a report on Congo’s offer of manganese, copper?cobalt, and lithium assets to US investors under the recently signed minerals pact: The Democratic Republic of Congo has sent Washington a shortlist of state-owned assets – including manganese, copper-cobalt, gold and lithium projects – for U.S. investors to consider as part of a minerals partnership, […]
Read more »Shooting for the Stars with a Paper Airplane: The US-Pakistan Rare Earths Deal
January 20th, 2026
Via Geopolitical Monitor, commentary on the US-Pakistan rare earths deal: In October 2025, Pakistan shipped its first load of rare earth minerals to the United States as part of a new $500 million agreement between the two nations. After months of trade negotiations, this shipment was of great symbolic significance, intended to show that Pakistan can deliver […]
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.