Global Political Intelligence Daily
Demystifying global politics, power, and policies
September 16, 2021
Australia, Boris Johnson, California
TOP FIVE
1. Australia to acquire nuclear submarines in historic security pact with US, UK
2. North Korea fired 2 ballistic missiles off its east coast
3. Boris Johnson recasts government with big cabinet shake-up
4. How Newsom defeated the recall
5. It’s now Larry Elder’s California GOP. What’s his next move?
ASIA
Australia to acquire nuclear submarines in historic security pact with US, UK: Axios reports the partnership, known as AUKUS, is a major strategic pact that will bind the US and UK to Australia's security for generations — and a warning to China as the Biden administration continues to lay the groundwork for countering Beijing in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Australia is getting nuclear subs, with American and British help: The new AUKUS alliance reflects a shared fear of China.
Economist
Reuters: Australia to get US nuclear submarine technology as China looms large
Axios: North Korea fired 2 ballistic missiles off its east coast
North Korea's missiles landed in Japan's EEZ: Defense minister: Nikkei reports the move follows South's sub-launched missile test, escalating arms race on the peninsula.
Japan's LDP race throws wrench into post-Kuroda BOJ preparations: Markets wait for an indication from next administration on monetary policy stance.
Nikkei
China’s economy weakens on delta outbreak and wary consumers
Bloomberg
Evergrande: Why the Chinese property giant is close to collapse: China Evergrande, once the country's second-largest real estate developer, is drowning in debt. Some 1.5 million people have put deposits on new homes that have yet to be built. A collapse could be catastrophic.
DW
China takes on Delta and its property developers at the same time: New activity figures reveal the economic cost of recent covid outbreaks.
Economist
Didi loses 30% of daily users after Beijing crackdown following IPO: FT reports promotions and discounts help ride-hailing rivals increase customer numbers.
What is China doing to the Uighurs in Xinjiang?
Jonah Shepp
Analysis: Wolf warriors fall silent as Xi ponders US strategy: Biden wants summit but Chinese leader remains reluctant to leave Beijing.
Nikkei
EUROPE
Today: President Macron and Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, to meet for a working dinner, with Afghanistan high on the agenda for their talks.
AFP: French troops ‘neutralize’ leader of Islamic State group in Sahel, Macron says
Reuters: Macron says French forces killed Islamic State leader in Sahara
Hidalgo has trashed Paris. Can she do the same for France?
Jonathan Miller
UK Cabinet reshuffle: Dominic Raab removed as foreign secretary: DW reports after months of public criticism directed at different members of his Cabinet, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is sacking and repositioning top ministers. Raab has been reappointed as justice secretary.
Boris Johnson recasts government with big cabinet shake-up: FT reports Truss replaces Raab at Foreign Office and Gove handed job of tackling 'leveling-up' as PM sacks four senior colleagues.
Boris Johnson wields axe in cabinet reshuffle: Gavin Williamson sacked and Dominic Raab demoted while Liz Truss, Nadhim Zahawi, and Michael Gove are among big winners.
The Times
All the key changes as Boris Johnson reshuffles UK Cabinet: UK prime minister is reshaping his top team.
Politico
Liz Truss’s promotion makes a rare piece of cabinet history
The Times
Everything you need to know about Liz Truss: UK trade secretary promoted to the foreign secretary as Boris Johnson reshuffles his top team.
Politico
So Dom, how does it feel to be the new Nick Clegg?
Quentin Letts
China's ambassador Zheng Zeguang banned from UK Parliament: BBC reports China's ambassador to the UK has been told he cannot come to Parliament while sanctions remain in place against a number of MPs and peers. Zheng Zeguang was due to attend a House of Commons reception on Wednesday, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on China. But after protests, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord McFall ruled this out. The decision may provoke a diplomatic row between London and Beijing.
Happier Scottish National Party still no closer to independence goal: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon restarted a more outward-facing push toward independence.
Politico
COP26: A showcase for Scottish independence: The governments in Edinburgh and London will use the climate change conference to advocate for competing visions of Scotland’s future.
Politico
Sturgeon is indulging her conspiratorial supporters
Stephen Daisley
Let’s not politicize Emma Raducanu’s triumph
Patrick O'Flynn
As Germany's general elections near, things are going wrong for the right
AFP
How do the German elections work? The German electoral system is complicated. Really complicated. But there are good reasons for that. Whether it's the location where Germans cast their vote, their love for paper trails or how they prevent election fraud — we explain everything about the German election.
DW
Catalan independence talks are back — and the stakes are high for PM Sánchez: Opponents of the parties set to restart talks take aim after a coronavirus-enforced break.
Politico
EU moves to ban sale of forced labor products in pointed nod to Xinjiang: SCMP reports Ursula von der Leyen’s state-of-the-union address comes as European Parliament politicians recommend changes in the EU’s relationship with Beijing.
NORTH AMERICA
AP: Biden announces Indo-Pacific alliance with UK, Australia
US builds bulwark against China with UK-Australia security pact: FT reports allies send a signal to Beijing with nuclear-powered submarine boost for Canberra’s navy.
US adds new Indo-Pacific grouping to face off with China: Nikkei reports Australia to obtain nuclear-powered submarines in trilateral cooperation with UK.
US, UK, and Australia forge military alliance to counter China: AUKUS partnership will enable Australia to have nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.
Guardian
US will share nuclear submarine technology with Australia as part of new alliance, a direct challenge to China
WP
A new US alliance responds to the Chinese threat — and US military complacency
David Ignatius
Reuters: US move to dislodge France from Australia submarine deal is incoherent - French ministers
Bloomberg: Biden floated meeting with Xi that Chinese leader declined
US needs to revamp its defense co-operation with Taiwan: Washington keeps scolding Taipei over its supposed lack of preparation
against an ever mightier Beijing.
Kathrin Hille
Axios: Biden to host Boris Johnson at the White House next week
AP: US working on new COVID-19 rules for international visitors
AP: California Gov. Gavin Newsom beats back GOP-led recall
Democrats see a midterm map in California recall success: AP reports few Democrats were surprised to see Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom swat down a Republican-driven recall campaign in bright-blue California. But they were pleased with how he did it. By making the race into a referendum on former President Donald Trump and his supporters’ “extreme” resistance to coronavirus precautions, Newsom offered a formula for survival that could translate to dozens of races in next year’s midterm elections, Democrats said. A healthy turnout, spurred by some late anxiety, showed Democrats remain eager to vote against the former president, even when he’s not on the ballot.
How Newsom defeated the recall: Early leads in suburbs, overwhelming margins in big cities
LAT
Vaccines and Trump: Will Newsom’s formula for beating the recall work for Democrats in 2022?
LAT
5 takeaways from Newsom’s big win in California’s recall election
LAT
It’s now Larry Elder’s California GOP. What’s his next move?
LAT
Canadians rush to early polls in election, mail-in ballots underwhelm
Reuters
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Curation and commentary by Marc A. Ross | Founder @ Caracal
