International Intrigue

"So sure, maybe this is a step closer to peace. Or maybe it’s just a reminder that everyone says they want peace. Even the invaders."

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Happy Friday! Here's a list of the most unhinged reader responses we've gotten over the years: - “If they were any closer to pure BS you could bag 'em and sell 'em as manure.” - “I hate food but tacos are alright” - “It’s like me trying to do work in maths class, I’m there, I just don’t do anything.” - “Pay up and they still publish your foot pics online. So just don't pay and publish it by yourself.” (Context: we're a geopolitics newsletter) So yeah, if you've ever wondered whether we really read *all* our poll responses the answer is yes, and we treasure the really weird ones too.

???? Bejing has set an ambitious economic growth goal of 5% for the year. China-watchers and analysts appear split as to whether the world's second economy will be able to reach its target. According to the optimists, the 5% benchmark is a sign a 'bazooka' stimulus is on the way. Beijing can't be seen falling short of a much-publicised and self-imposed goal. Meanwhile, the sceptics point to a series of growing difficulties facing the Chinese economy, including a fully fledged trade war with the US. Let us know what you think in the poll below!

?? ?? Five news stories to start your day: 1) ???? Trump halts military aid to Ukraine - The US president has?suspended all security assistance to Ukraine, days after Friday’s?disastrous meeting with Zelensky. 2) ?? Canada and China retaliate as US tariffs hit - New US tariffs kicked in today (Tuesday), including?25% on Canada and Mexico and another 20% on China. China is responding with additional 10-15% tariffs on US agriculture, while Canada has slapped 25% tariffs on an initial $30B worth of US goods. 3) ?? TSMC announces $100B investment in US - Taiwan’s TSMC is pledging to invest?$100B in US manufacturing?over the next few years. 4) ???? Austria gets a new leader - After months of deadlock, Christian Stocker, leader of the Conservative People’s Party, has emerged as PM to govern alongside his centre-left and liberal coalition partners. 5) ?? Arab states to present Gaza plan - Several Arab states led by Egypt will present their?proposal for Gaza’s post-war future?today (Tuesday).

Do not miss our public #online keynote today at 18.30 CET by the remarkable Winnie Kiiza on #MentalHealth and resilience in negotiation. The event is moderated by expert Vera Hampel and will include a Q&A. ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gMDsDyyT ?? If you are interested in global affairs - do you already know our Media Partner International Intrigue? Their cheeky newsletter is always a highlight: https://lnkd.in/g6UVs-tM ?? Bravo to the whole project team for their organisation. The quality of speakers and the scale of this year’s IGN e-Conference is outstanding. Karoline M?ller, Maximiliano Schilling, Baniz Wasman, Vinicius Teixeira Carcavallo, Sarah Shalash & Christian S. Trenk. Applications for certified participation in the full e-Conference are closed. Sign up to our newsletter to not miss the 2026 edition: https://bit.ly/ign-new Tea Musta?, Patrick Wall, Jack Williams, Johanna Olbrich

Some news you might've missed... 1. ?????South Korea: Government figures suggest?birth rates rose slightly in South Korea?for the first time in nine years in 2024, though (at 0.75) they’re still far below the 2.1 births per woman needed to stabilise the population. 2. ?????Romania: Authorities have?detained and charged presidential candidate C?lin Georgescu?with a series of violations including “incitement to actions against the constitutional order”. 3. ?????Indonesia: Former Russian defence minister Sergei?Shoigu has met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto?as part of Shoigu’s broader regional tour that’ll also include Malaysia. 4. ?????Trinidad & Tobago: The Caribbean country is reportedly preparing to?ask the US to extend a license?for the Trinidadian national gas company to co-develop a gas project in Venezuela. ? 5. ???? Morocco: Authorities have arrested twelve suspects believed to be?part of a Moroccan ISIS cell?planning several remote bomb attacks throughout the country.

You might not like it, but I think Jeff Bezos's decision to tell his opinion columnists to defend 'liberty' and 'free markets' to write makes sense...

It's not all geopolitics over here! ?? Subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay on top of global news (and the occasional adorable geological feature) Link in the comments!