Africa’s Horn’s in a (t)horny spot.
In the latest example of complex politics of the Horn of Africa spilling over into Western lands, a shocking series of violent riots erupted in The Hague, Netherlands, as opposing Eritrean factions fought running battles on the Dutch streets, injuring six police officers and leading to the arrest of 13 suspects. They’re not the first. […]
In the Blind Spot (The FATF horsetrading show comes to town)
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. SNEAK PEEK — The FATF’s de-greylisting of the UAE provides Izzy with a good opportunity to take a closer look at how the shadowy finance body operates. — William Hague says the quiet bit out loud with respect to why the West needs to seize […]
The West tried to crush Russia’s economy. Why hasn’t it worked? (POLITICO)
By Nahal Toosi, Koen Verhelst, Ari Hawkins, Gabriel Gavin, Kyle Duggan · Feb 23, 2024 Russia has faced a historic slew of penalties from Washington, Brussels and beyond since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The punishments, chiefly economic sanctions, were designed in large part to drain Russia’s coffers so […]
Is world war looming? Europe’s policy pivot reveals leaders’ fears (POLITICO)
By Bjarke Smith-Meyer · Feb 15, 2024 BRUSSELS ― Europe is gearing up for war. That much is obvious. Whispered conversations among the EU’s most influential decisionmakers reveal a disturbing new truth: Gone are the days when the bloc had the luxury of prioritizing the green agenda or improving competitiveness. Now it’s all about coping […]
In the Blind Spot (Dario’s Coup de Blind Spot Edition)
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. COMMENTARY SNEAK PEEK — Explaining the potential impact of space-bound Russian nukes in orbit. — Why CBDCs will lead to the rise of alternative non-state-controlled currencies. — Could Bill Ackman be wrong about the indoctrination of students at universities? Greetings all. It’s with great jubilation that […]
In the Blind Spot (Authorised push payment fraud gets personal)
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. COMMENTARY SNEAK PEEK — Ukraine considers asset freezes for citizens who dodge the draft, but Izzy points out the proposals are unlikely to pass (at this stage). — Dario argues that tribal loyalty is perpetuating corruption in Africa, compromising economic development. — The […]
The ECB is taking a long hard look at itself (POLITICO)
By Johanna Treeck, Carlo Boffa · Feb 9, 2024 FRANKFURT — When the global financial crisis struck in 2008, panicked central bankers desperate to stop the system collapsing and avoid deflation did the unthinkable: they threw out their operating manuals and cranked up the money printers to unprecedented levels. In the process they created a […]
In the Blind Spot (The Middle East’s own narco war)
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. COMMENTARY SNEAK PEEK — US weapons do have their advantages after all. They might be costly to run and replace but they’re also much better at protecting lives. — Dario outlines how the Middle East has been swamped by a highly addictive amphetamine-type drug called Captagon, […]
The reports of America’s decline may be greatly exaggerated
This is a guest post by the ‘Data Artist’, an author who hails from the fintech world and is a believer in beautiful rather than big data. Back in 1991, it was a glorious time to be a leader of a Western nation. The collective West, which broadly included Western Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, […]
In the Blind Spot (When democracy becomes lawfare)
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. SNEAK PEEK — ADM’s accounting scandal has seen its stock plummet. But this isn’t the first time the agricultural giant has been tied to dodgy mark-up pricing practices. — Dario outlines why the Houthi Red Sea crisis is unlikely to lead to regional […]