Partnering with Middle Eastern Countries to Boost U.S. Minerals Security
September 6th, 2024
Via the Center for Strategic & International Studies, commentary on the need for the U.S. to partner with GCC companies to boost mineral security: Over the last four years, the Biden administration has rolled out a series of legislation to reduce its reliance on China for various supply chains. This includes the Inflation Reduction Act […]
Read more »The New Influencers: The Expanding Role of Middle Powers in Africa
August 28th, 2024
Courtesy of Harvard’s Belfer Center, a new report on the expanding role of Middle Powers such as Brazil, India, Japan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, and Qatar in Africa: This original primer, conducted as research for The Africa Futures Project, is an initial exploration into the evolving roles and increasing influence of “middle powers” in […]
Read more »Laundering Carbon—The Gulf’s ‘New Scramble for Africa’?
August 13th, 2024
Via International Viewpoint, critical commentary on the Gulf’s involvement in African carbon offset projects: In early November 2023, shortly before the COP28 summit opened in Dubai, a hitherto obscure UAE firm attracted significant media attention around news of their prospective land deals in Africa Kenyatta Ngusilo (C), a member of the Ogiek community, watches as […]
Read more »Saudi Arabia’s Blossoming Rose Industry
August 10th, 2024
Via Arab News, a look at Saudi Arabia’s growing rose industry: With government support, rose farmers in Taif and Madinah see their yields blossom while preserving precious water Generations have cared for the Kingdom’s prized roses, passing down the tradition of harvesting and extracting rose oil Saudi-grown pink roses are loved throughout the Arabian Peninsula […]
Read more »UAE and Saudi Arabia: Race For Data Center and AI Dominance
July 30th, 2024
Via Diplomatic Courier, a report on how the UAE and Saudi Arabia are heavily investing in data center infrastructure, and the emerging rivalry is for both economic and political reasons: In recent years, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have competed to become the technological superpower of the Gulf. At the center of […]
Read more »In Fuel-Guzzling Saudi Arabia, Electric Cars Pique Interest
July 25th, 2024
Via Energy Daily, a report on growing EV interest in Saudi Arabia: For Hamed al-Rafidain, a Saudi human resources worker, an electric vehicle offers welcome savings, especially since his other car is a fuel-guzzling four-wheel drive favoured by motorists in the desert kingdom.The 39-year-old is part of a small but growing EV consumer base in […]
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.