In the Blind Spot (Why the entire economy is an influence op)
SNEAK PEEK — Izzy argues that the real economy is being stifled by management techniques inherited from the activist and civil society realm that turns everything into a data-driven influence op. — Dario updates readers on the new space race to conquer the moon. — Why the Vatican has created a renAIssance foundation to […]
In the Blind Spot (Trader justice)
SNEAK PEEK — A SocGen trader flung out of the bank for unauthorised risk-taking takes to social media to call for “trader justice” and new dismissal rules. — Georgia’s foreign agent bill is causing havoc on the streets of Tbilisi again. — Dario argues that Chinese EV competitiveness isn’t down to subsidies or forced […]
In the Blind Spot (G42’s Deep Thought)
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. SNEAK PEEK — Why Sam Altman’s chip-building coalition paves the way to a chipdollar interdependence deal. — The BoE’s Paul Tucker blames yachts and wealth management for Credit Suisse’s collapse as he renews pre-positioning call. — Is corruption just a norm in Spain? Dario […]
In the Blind Spot (Cloudbusting, but not the Kate Bush version )
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. SNEAK PEEK — Donald Trump’s Trump Media channels the Gamestop playbook as it calls for an investigation into naked short selling of its stock. — The House of Lords hears about how disinformation controls are being politicised. — In the wake of the Dubai […]
Not so fast, Ireland’s Makhlouf warns ECB doves (POLITICO)
WASHINGTON — Ireland’s central bank governor pushed back strongly against colleagues looking to lock in a sequence of interest rate cuts in the second half of the year, stressing that the uncertainties around the economy are still far too great. “It is speculating a bit too far to say ‘I feel confident enough about the […]
In the Blind Spot (The return of political Romanticism)
SNEAK PEEK — Ecuador’s new president Daniel Noboa may be the real beneficiary of the gang violence that gripped the country earlier this year. — The Houthis are more interested in revenue generation at this point than siding with Iran, argues Dario. — Polish culture wars channel old romantic strategies in their bid to […]
In the Blind Spot (States within states)
Our one-stop source for central banking & monetary policy news. SNEAK PEEK — Who really controls Kaliningrad? Dario takes a look at how the Russian exclave became a hotbed of illicit activity, while retaining a surprising amount of German influence. — What’s the difference between an investment zone and a special economic zone? Dario ponders […]
How Dresden became Germany’s Chips City (POLITICO)
By Pieter Haeck · Mar 26, 2024. This article is part of a special report, The New Factory Towns. DRESDEN, Germany — If Europe’s best manufacturing days are behind it, no one told Dresden. The eastern German city and Saxon capital has become an industrial stronghold, with a world-class microchip manufacturing sector that is attracting […]
The Ozempic boom: How the entire country of Denmark became a company town (POLITICO)
By Charlie Duxbury · Mar 26, 2024 This article is part of a special report, The New Factory Towns. KALUNDBORG, Denmark — It’s not the first time this small Danish town boomed with the times. The question for Mayor Martin Damm is when, or even whether, the bust will come again. In the 1920s a […]
In the Blind Spot (Central bank schisms in Europe and beyond)
SNEAK PEEK — What it means for Poland and the ECB’s independence if Prime Minister Donald Tusk manages to remove central bank governor Adam Glapiński. — Dario argues that Nato’s push to up readiness for a Russian attack on Europe will run into the usual continental cohesion challenges — The Blind Spot’s Del J. Kelham […]