Geopolitical Risk

[Davexl]

Finally they got to him...Democracy is 'somewhat' saved.

South Korean law enforcement officers detain impeached President Yoon

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360549018/south-korean-law-enforcement-officers-detain-impeached-president-yoon

[Davexl]

Note Australia's aid generosity below. Should have sent 1/2 of our LAVs perhaps...

Australia PM 'gravely concerned' for Oscar Jenkins, captured by Russian soldiers in Ukraine war

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360549091/australia-pm-gravely-concerned-oscar-jenkins-captured-russian-soldiers-ukraine-war

Excerpt:

"Australia has been one of the most generous donors to the Ukraine war effort outside Nato.

Three months ago, Australia announced it will give Ukraine 49 of its ageing M1A1 Abrams tanks.

The tanks brought the total value of Australia's military assistance to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion to over A$1.3 billion (NZ$1.4b)."

[Davexl]

 'Military challenges to Beijing's South China Sea claims are increasing'

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/editors-picks-for-2024-military-challenges-to-beijings-south-china-sea-claims-are-increasing/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Strategist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_d3a97fc5f2b8b4c747ced7a4a2be7431&utm_source=CampaignMonitor&utm_term=Editors%20picks%20for%202024%20Military%20challenges%20to%20Beijings%20South%20China%20Sea%20claims%20are%20increasing

[Davexl]

But Indonesia turning China's way...

'Three concessions after three weeks: Prabowo leans China's way'

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/editors-picks-for-2024-three-concessions-after-three-weeks-prabowo-leans-chinas-way/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Strategist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_d3a97fc5f2b8b4c747ced7a4a2be7431&utm_source=CampaignMonitor&utm_term=Editors%20picks%20for%202024%20Three%20concessions%20after%20three%20weeks%20Prabowo%20leans%20Chinas%20way

[Davexl]

For the record - But will it hold and does Netanyahu still have Trump's confidence?

Qatari prime minister says Gaza ceasefire goes into effect on Sunday. Israel says details still in flux

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360549367/israel-and-hamas-agree-ceasefire-deal-pause-gaza-war-and-release-some-hostages-mediators-say

[Davexl]

For the record - "Biden's legacy..."

Trump claims credit for Gaza ceasefire deal. 'Is that a joke?' Biden responds

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360549621/trump-and-biden-both-claim-credit-gaza-ceasefire-deal

[Davexl]

For the record - "Biden's legacy..."

Watch: Joe Biden warns of 'dangerous concentration of power' in US, in farewell speech

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360549491/joe-biden-set-give-farewell-address-oval-office

[Waltzing]

Looks like the economy of ugly bear is on the brink ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia1S6IGmD_o

[BlackPeter]

Looks like the economy of ugly bear is on the brink ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia1S6IGmD_o

Maybe Trump could cut a deal and buy out bankrupt Russia for a song ; Might be cheaper than Greenland?

Hey, this would make America great (well, at least big), wouldn't it? Largest landmass on Earth ...

[Waltzing]

i think he going to get ukraine to sell itself to the USA...

put Vissels there...

[Davexl]

The good & the bad...

Biden's presidential legacy: An era of change, forever marked by Trump - NYT

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/joe-bidens-presidential-legacy-an-era-of-change-forever-marked-by-trump/7WCWEKYZUBDLJIJPWDNNAS3VII/

[Davexl]

Interesting discussion of the interplay between Tech & Geo-politics between China & the US,
esp AI dominance & Security risks (ie much more than US paranoia)

US-China tech war

As the divest-or-ban bill was passed in the US over national security concerns, Markets with Madison interviewed the technology adviser behind it all, Jacob Helberg.

"I think it would make sense for any democracy that wants to preserve the vibrancy and the integrity of its public discourse domestically to look at restricting and requiring the divestiture of this company," the former commissioner of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission created by Congress said.

Helberg is a senior adviser to the Alex Karp, the chief executive of Palantir, a security software business founded by Peter Thiel.

President-elect Trump had designated him under secretary of state for economic growth.

Watch Helberg discuss TikTok and the US-China technology war in this episode of Markets with Madison below.

Markets with Madison: Tech war

Duration 30:49

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/markets-with-madison/best-of-markets-with-madison-technology/4XU6CD6ZTFEHDMUMZEY5GTKX2M/

[Davexl]

Globe & Mail

Israel's cabinet approved a deal early Saturday for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages that will pause the 15-month war with Hamas for six weeks.
The deal brings Israel and Hamas a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever.
The ceasefire — just the second achieved during the war — is expected to begin Sunday.
Mediators Qatar and the United States announced the ceasefire Wednesday, but the deal was in limbo for more than a day as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute complications that he blamed on the Hamas militant group.

[Davexl]

Russia and Iran sign a partnership treaty to deepen ties in the face of Western sanctions

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360552306/russia-and-iran-sign-partnership-treaty-deepen-ties-face-western-sanctions

[BlackPeter]

Russia and Iran sign a partnership treaty to deepen ties in the face of Western sanctions

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360552306/russia-and-iran-sign-partnership-treaty-deepen-ties-face-western-sanctions

Maybe American support to oust the Shah was in the hindsight not the best possible option?