Caracal Daily | September 9

Caracal Daily | September 9

Caracal Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for comms pros.

Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry. Caracal is here to help.

Always Be Communicating.

Happy Friday.

Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:

*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***

China is becoming much harder for Western scholars to study: Some researchers revert to Mao-era techniques as Beijing curtails access; suspicions in Washington threaten to exacerbate knowledge gap. WSJ

China’s ‘disappeared’ foreign minister demoted to low-level publishing job, say former US officials: WP reports Qin Gang, an aggressive “wolf warrior” diplomat, had a meteoric rise and an even faster fall from grace. He’s now said to be taking a salary at a Beijing state-run bookseller.

Today:  Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre commences official visit to China.

Tuesday: China kicks off legislative meeting: China's National People's Congress Standing Committee convenes to review a range of bills, including legislation against money laundering.

The Chinese Communist Party helps train African elites: To export its model, the state party is backing leadership schools in several African countries. Le Monde

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un underscored the importance of strengthening naval power as he toured a naval base construction site, state media KCNA reported on Sunday.

SIN: Singapore’s prime minister, Lawrence Wong, said that work would begin next year on a fifth “mega terminal” at Changi airport.

WP: Biden decision to kill Nippon Steel deal could spark legal challenge

Japan's first casino resort is likely to open as soon as fall 2030, with the company seeking to run the facility set to forfeit the right to exit the project without a penalty, Nikkei learned Saturday.

Military AI summit in Seoul: South Korea co-hosts Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) summit in Seoul along with the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya and the United Kingdom. Government and military officials as well as business leaders from more than 90 countries are set to discuss responsible development and use of AI in the military sector and how to establish international norms for the matter. 

Russia said that its armed forces had gained full control of Novohrodivka. The small town lies less than 9km from Pokrovsk, a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine because of its rail and road links. 

War in Ukraine: 'It's only possible to talk to the Russians from a position of strength': Le Monde reports Oleksandr Lytvynenko has been secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council since March. In an interview with Le Monde, he describes the Kursk offensive as a 'significant success,' but acknowledges that 'it does not change the situation.'

Ukraine’s Kursk offensive has triggered doubts among Russian elite, spy chiefs say: CIA director Bill Burns and MI6 chief Richard Moore made first joint public appearance onstage at the FTWeekend festival in London. FT

Friday: In the Czech Republic, the NATO Military Committee Conference opens.

Intelligence partnership helps the US and UK stay ahead in an uncertain world: Technological advantage is key to ensuring the special relationship maintains its lead. Bill Burns + Richard Moore

Olaf Scholz coalition support at just 29% in blow for chancellor: The Times reports the German leader denies claims he may have to give way to Boris Pistorius, his more popular defense minister, after slump in polls. 

France's Le Pen urges Macron to hold referendum to break political statemate: Le Monde reports last week the French president appointed the center-right Michel Barnier as prime minister, trying to move forward after snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament.

Michel Barnier shares our views on stopping migrants, Marine Le Pen says: The Times reports National Rally figurehead claims Macron appointed the veteran as prime minister because his stance on immigration is backed by her party.

How Paris plans to capitalize on the success of the 2024 Olympics: Hoping to encourage patronage in France and abroad, the capital's sites and monuments are planning to host other sporting events. Le Monde

Wednesday: National Day of Catalonia, commemorating the defense against the siege of Barcelona.

Greece to restrict cruise visits as islands struggle With tourist crowds: NYT reports in a country where vacationers are a keystone of the economy, Greece’s prime minister is embracing a European trend toward tighter tourism regulation.

Greece cracks down on excessive tourism: FT reports curbs on short-term rentals and cruise ship traffic could damage crucial sector, warns hospitality industry.

Thursday: In Belgium, the AI Regulation Forum.

Tuesday: Global AI summit in Riyadh: Industry experts gather in Saudi Arabia to discuss how to "balance theory and reality" on the potential of artificial intelligence. 

Brazilians take to streets to protest ban on X: WSJ reports tens of thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro rallied in the heart of São Paulo to protest the Supreme Court’s ban on Elon Musk’s X platform.

Wednesday: Anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The battle to secure economically critical metals: To limit China’s leverage, the west needs concerted action on mining, refining and research. FT - Editorial

***  US Politics + Elections ***

Tuesday: Harris-Trump presidential debate: US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off in their first debate, hosted by broadcaster ABC.

Trump and Harris get set to debate: He needs to demonstrate that he’s sane, stable and knowledgeable. She needs a show of good faith. Peggy Noonan

Harris can win the debate by making it about who’s hopeful — and normal: Pennsylvania voters are crucial. Here’s how Kamala Harris can win them. EJ Dionne Jr.

The Hill: Harris, Walz to launch ‘New Way Forward’ tour following debate

The Times: Kamala Harris loses her polling lead as TV debate looms

Trump and Harris neck and neck after summer upheaval, Times/Siena poll finds: Ahead of the debate, the survey found that Donald Trump is retaining his support and voters are unsure they know enough about where Kamala Harris stands.

Kamala Harris faces crucial debate as polls hint at slipping momentum: FT reports surveys show voters are unsure of where the Democrat stands on issues ahead of Tuesday’s face-off with Trump.

Bloomberg: Warren Buffett’s Nebraska becomes sudden political battleground

+ Trump is up, but also mixed voter tendencies in US Heartland

+ GOP battling to keep Senate seat and key House district

Trump’s latest problem? Republicans for Harris: High-profile GOPers aren’t just planning to vote for the Democrat, they’re organizing and working to convince others. Patricia Lopez

Trump cashes in during final weeks of his presidential campaign: WSJ reports no presidential candidate has ever so closely linked his election with personal for-profit enterprises, selling items from shoes to books to pieces of his suit.

GOP report to denounce Biden administration over Afghanistan withdrawal: NYT reports in an election-season document, Republicans are set to offer few new revelations but instead heap blame on the “Biden-Harris administration” while absolving former President Donald J. Trump.

Crypto plan creates potential conflicts for Trump: WSJ reports the former president’s digital-currency efforts bring his campaign closer to an industry that is spending to limit regulations.

MJS: Hannibal Lecter, Al Capone, and a list of promises. Takeaways from Trump's Mosinee rally

Trump’s problem in Michigan: A county where Republicans can’t get along: Some party leaders there refuse to follow the campaign’s ground strategy; ‘People should know what’s going on here.’ WSJ

CNN: GOP plots Pennsylvania onslaught as Democrats battle to keep ‘really difficult’ Senate seat

The Texas billionaire who has Greenpeace USA on the verge of bankruptcy: Kelcy Warren’s company, Energy Transfer, is behind a long-running court battle over the Dakota Access Pipeline that Greenpeace says could bankrupt the environmental group’s US affiliate. WSJ

How Boston became the safest big city in America: Murder is declining across the country, but Boston has led the way. Economist

*** Disruption + Innovation ***

Musk’s xAI has discussed deal for share of future Tesla revenue: WSJ reports under a proposed arrangement, the startup would give Tesla access to its artificial-intelligence technology in exchange for a slice of the carmaker’s software revenue.

Nvidia draws antitrust scrutiny as enforcers signal early interest in AI: WSJ reports the Justice Department probe of chip company highlights interest in being more aggressive than in years past.

Alibaba is expected to be added to the Stock Connect system linking Hong Kong with mainland China.

Today: Apple will unveil its latest iPhone series in Cupertino, California.

Apple’s new iPhone will use Arm’s next-generation chip technology for AI: Tech giant pushing to bring generative artificial intelligence features to its smartphones. FT

How Apple rules the world: How Apple went from underdog to $3.4 trillion global force. Bloomberg

The Palace Coup at the Magic Kingdom: Read the inside story of how Bob Iger undermined and outmaneuvered Bob Chapek, his chosen successor, and returned to power at Disney. NYT

Is the era of the mega-deal over? Nippon’s acquisition of US Steel is not the only mega-merger falling apart. Economist

BYD + Geely Automobile Holdings were among China's major private automakers to report profit growth in the January-June half, while SAIC Motor and other state-owned operators struggled in a crowded market.

Today: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, carrying EU navigation satellites.

The weird truth about work is we actually like it: Satisfied employees are convinced they are lucky exceptions in a world of toxic bosses and burnout. Pilita Clark

*** Culture ***

Moments of love, captured by a street photographer: The Post’s director of photography spent the summer documenting acts of affection and connection in the DC region. Here’s what he saw. WP

Snow Patrol: U2 showed us you could be Irish and touch the world: Gary Lightbody and Johnny McDaid on writing music with Ed Sheeran, living with Courteney Cox and making their new album in a little Somerset house. The Times

Thursday: London Fashion Week begins.

*** Sport ***

WSJ: Jannik Sinner sweeps aside American Taylor Fritz in US Open Final

New Jersey is prompting a new sports identity crisis in Philadelphia: The state is already home to four teams whose uniforms say “New York.” Now it’s trying to lure the NBA’s 76ers. NYT

Le Monde: Rap legend Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show

Swimming, a golden activity for your health: A complete, non-impact sport, swimming is beneficial for both prevention and existing chronic illnesses. It can be practiced at any age, as numerous studies have shown. Pascale Santi

Friday: Funeral service for former England men’s football manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.


Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc 

Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal