US tech giants refuse to work with Britain’s top secret military censorship board (POLITICO)
By Laurie Clarke, Tamlin Magee · Feb 27, 2024 LONDON — Britain’s media censorship board is trying to woo Big Tech. But the Silicon Valley giants aren’t interested. Tech firms including Google, Meta, and X have repeatedly spurned the British media censorship board in its mission to prevent state secrets spreading across social platforms. The […]
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 (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, […]
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 […]
In the Blind Spot (Moving to a ‘Pawnbroker for all Seasons’ model in central banking)
COMMENTARY SNEAK PEEK — Regulators channel Mervyn King’s “Pawnbroker For All Seasons” idea as they call for the introduction of an extensive pre-positioning framework. — Dario argues Trump’s America First policy is good for Europe as it will boost competitiveness and investment in its own security. — Could the NBP’s missing 6 […]