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 [...]
North Korea’s Elite Ponghak Beer Appears In Chinese Market In Search of Foreign Currency
January 19th, 2026 Via the Daily NK, a report that North Korea’s elite Ponghak Beer is entering the Chinese market seeking foreign currency: North Korea’s Ponghak Beer, the beer of choice among North Korea’s [...]
January 19th, 2026 Via the Daily NK, a report that North Korea’s elite Ponghak Beer is entering the Chinese market seeking foreign currency: North Korea’s Ponghak Beer, the beer of choice among North Korea’s [...]
The Manager-Monarch Who Saved Oman
January 13th, 2026 Courtesy of Foreign Policy, a report on Oman’s new(ish) sultan who doesn’t do spectacle. He does spreadsheets. And it’s working. Six years ago this month, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq inherited a [...]
January 13th, 2026 Courtesy of Foreign Policy, a report on Oman’s new(ish) sultan who doesn’t do spectacle. He does spreadsheets. And it’s working. Six years ago this month, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq inherited a [...]
Russia, France and the US: The High-Stakes Scramble for Madagascar
January 13th, 2026 Via The Africa Report, a look at how a recent visit to Madagascar by a Russian delegation led by the head of Africa Corps has sparked domestic controversy. But Moscow is far from the only power [...]
January 13th, 2026 Via The Africa Report, a look at how a recent visit to Madagascar by a Russian delegation led by the head of Africa Corps has sparked domestic controversy. But Moscow is far from the only power [...]
Trump Is Making a Power Play in Latin America. China Is Already There.
January 12th, 2026 Courtesy of the New York Times, a look at how China built a dominant strategic position in the region as the leading lender and trading partner, and it is watching President Trump’s next moves [...]
January 12th, 2026 Courtesy of the New York Times, a look at how China built a dominant strategic position in the region as the leading lender and trading partner, and it is watching President Trump’s next moves [...]
Exxon CEO Calls Venezuela ‘Uninvestable’ Without ‘Significant Changes’
January 10th, 2026 Courtesy of the Washington Post, a report on Venezuela and lack of oil investor interest: As President Donald Trump pushed U.S. oil companies to commit to invest $100 billion in Venezuela at a White [...]
January 10th, 2026 Courtesy of the Washington Post, a report on Venezuela and lack of oil investor interest: As President Donald Trump pushed U.S. oil companies to commit to invest $100 billion in Venezuela at a White [...]