10 global business issues at the intersection of globalization, disruption, and politics.

Geopolitical Communications + Intelligence

1. Germany's Greens have transformed in the face of Russia's war: Der Spiegel reports the Greens have a long record as peace-loving idealists. They are now among the loudest voices calling for heavy weapons to be delivered to Ukraine and have placed considerable pressure on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

2. In the Philippines, the return of the Marcos family, 36 years after the fall of dictatorship: Le Monde reports Ferdinand Marcos Junior, son of the former dictator, won the May 9 presidential election. It is the result of a long-term effort by the clan to regain its place among the political dynasties in the Asian archipelago.

+ The victory of the dictator's son could complicate US efforts in Asia-Pacific

3. Authoritarian countries like China have citizens dropping intelligence: ABC News reports Australia's international spy chief has suggested a growing number of Chinese officials are feeding information to Australian intelligence agencies because they are unhappy with the Chinese Communist Party's increasingly authoritarian trajectory.

+ "In China, we have an ancient culture, but [now] there's an enforced monoculture."

+ "We don't yet know exactly how that will play out, but what we see are more and more signs of officials and individuals interested in a relationship [with us]."

+ Moves to stifle internal dissent in other countries open new opportunities for the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)

4. On a surprise trip to Kyiv, Trudeau reopens the Canadian Embassy: Politico reports the prime minister said the Ukraine visit is to remind President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Canada's 'unwavering support.'

+ The Biden administration is accelerating plans to reopen the US embassy in Kyiv

5. Sinn Fein hails 'new era' in Northern Ireland: DW reports the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein won the most seats in Northern Ireland's Assembly for the first time. The party supports reuniting the British territory with the Republic of Ireland.

6. Brazil's Lula makes presidential candidacy official: The leftwing former president vows to defend national sovereignty as he takes on Jair Bolsonaro.

+ Lula will focus the campaign on the economy and the country's sovereignty

+ Ex-president leads polls, but margin over Bolsonaro has shrunk as Lula targets centrist voters

+ 2022 Brazilian general election = Sunday, October 2

7. Australia's election battle gets personal: AFP reports Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison derided his Labor Party opponent as an unreliable "loose unit" on the economy as he fought to catch up in the opinion polls. Morrison and Labor's Anthony Albanese got personal in their third televised election debate, characterized as the "final showdown" before 17 million Australians cast their compulsory votes.

+ The final election debate featured the leaders battling over climate change, border protection, and wages

+ PM Morrison has warned that establishing a Chinese military base in the Solomons would be crossing a "red line"

+ 2022 Australian federal election = Saturday, May 21

8. An electric car world will require a lot of lithium and a lot of mining: FT reports on the experience of one mining company in rural North Carolina, suggesting the road ahead will be hard to navigate.

+ A modern energy future has a NIMBY problem

+ If the world is to meet the global climate targets set as part of the Paris Agreement, at least 40 times as much lithium will be needed by 2040 compared with today

+ The US holds about 8mn tonnes of lithium, according to the US Geological Survey, putting it in the top five most lithium-rich countries in the world. Yet, America mines and processes only 1 percent of global output. Much of the rest comes from China, Chile, and Australia

9. Biden announces new partnership to expand broadband access: The Verge reports the Biden administration announced a new partnership with 20 broadband providers, including AT&T and Verizon, to improve their subsidized high-speed internet plans available to low-income Americans.

+ "In the 21st century, access to the internet is essential for success. Every person in our nation, no matter how much they earn, should be able to afford high-speed internet and a high-speed internet plan." -- Vice President Kamala Harris

10. Airbnb just did its most significant redesign in a decade: New Airbnb feature aims to 'redistribute' tourists from oversold venues as the company wants to take tourists to places they never knew existed. The company made this 'biggest change in a decade' to ensure peak season is unaffected by supply issues.

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