Today in geopolitical news and how comms pros should think and talk about it....
1. Global power competition: The United States is taking an increasingly assertive stance toward allies and competitors alike, evidenced by tensions over Greenland, confrontational positions on the Panama Canal, and complex negotiations with China that mix cooperation with Ukraine with competition in AI technology.
2. Arctic's increasing strategic importance: The dramatic increase in Northern Sea Route traffic from 19 vessels in 2016 to 92 vessels in 2024, coupled with US interest in Greenland, indicates the Arctic's growing strategic significance, though local resistance remains high - 85% of Greenlanders oppose US control/
3. Democratic vulnerability in the West: Western democracies grapple with foreign interference, highlighted by Canada's election security concerns and investigation findings suggesting institutional weaknesses in protecting democratic processes from external manipulation.
4. The Congo in crisis: The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has escalated to a critical point, with Rwanda's involvement drawing parallels to other global conflicts and triggering anti-Western sentiment, as evidenced by embassy attacks in Kinshasa.
5. Border security transformation: North American neighbors Mexico and Canada are implementing unprecedented border security measures, including advanced technology deployment and physical barriers, in response to US pressure and threats of tariffs.
6. Geographic naming power: Trump's executive order to rename significant geographic features like the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and Denali to "Mount McKinley" in Alaska demonstrates how cartographic changes are tools of political influence and national identity assertion.
7. Mineral resource competition: The global race for critical minerals is intensifying, with Chinese companies actively acquiring mineral sands resources globally while Western supply chains develop more slowly, especially in Australian rare earth developments.
Pro tip: Make sure you have a professional with expertise in geopolitical communications on your team. Such a pro will help you navigate geopolitical challenges related to your business objectives and confidently speak about this environment.
Caracal is here to help.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
