Our weekly newsletter gives a brief overview of the latest developments in geopolitics, security and defense, energy, manufacturing, and supply lines. Striving to provide our clients with enhanced decision-making capability, it includes in-depth articles as well as insights pertaining to growth projections, conflicts, and raw materials, etcetera.
Latest
- A 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brokered by the US took effect on Wednesday, November 27. Israel will withdraw completely from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah moves its heavy weapons north of the Litani River.
- Pro-Russian Calin Georgescu won Romania's first presidential round on November 24, threatening political stability and support for Ukraine. Georgescu will face center-right Elena Lasconi in a runoff on December 8. Parliamentary elections are held on December 1.?
- Russia launched 188 drones into Ukraine and captured Kopanky village in Kharkiv on Tuesday, November 26, according to Russia’s Ministry of Defense. Ukraine’s military shot down 76 drones, but lost track of 96 likely due to electronic warfare.?
Security & Defense
- South Korea, the US, and Japan launched a trilateral cooperation secretariat to counter North Korea reviewed joint aerial drills, and expanded defense ties as Japan hosted the first Five Eyes intelligence meeting by a non-member state last week.?
- Malaysia and Vietnam agreed on November 21 to elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and to uphold peace security, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea amid competing territorial claims.
- France, Germany, the United Kingdom (the E3) and Iran will meet on November 29 to discuss a nuclear deal as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’s October 2025 sanctions deadline nears. Tehran warned it may exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty.?
Energy
- Donald Trump’s transition team is preparing an energy plan to approve liquified natural gas (LNG) export permits, increase offshore and federal land based oil drilling and lift Biden's pause on LNG licenses to boost sales of offshore oil drilling leases.?
- Saudi Arabia’s oil policy may shift, with reports suggesting lower price targets and higher output. Increased production could reduce prices, allowing other OPEC+ members to raise their output.?
- Zambia and Zimbabwe are experiencing nationwide blackouts and face severe electricity shortages, as a drought strains hydropower generation, their main source of electricity.?
Manufacturing
- Industrial AI is revolutionizing manufacturing by leveraging Internet of Things (IoT), cloud?infrastructure, and edge data to actionable insights. Microsoft Copilot improves efficiency by monitoring data, identifying bottlenecks, and optimizing processes.?
- The UK is upholding strict electric vehicle sales targets despite industry pleas to delay steep fines, warning of job losses and reduced investment with ￡15,000-per-car fines starting in 2024 for missing quotas.
- Zongwei’s Suzhou factory in China adopts smart manufacturing with automated maglev conveyor lines that adjust speed and direction. This reduces production times and reliance on human labor through advanced robotics.
Supply lines
- During Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to South Korea on November 24, he emphasized 65 years of ties, pledged a free trade deal by 2025 and ensured South Korean access to critical minerals.?
- Japan and Italy signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) on Monday, November 25, enabling their armed forces to share resources, fuel, food, ammunition, and services and enhancing aid cooperation.?
- China will ensure stable global industrial and supply chains, Premier Li Qiang said at a symposium for the upcoming China International Supply Chain Expo as Singapore and China signed a 10-year plan for the Suzhou Industrial Park on November 25.?
Additional
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power with allies in Maharashtra state polls but lost to the opposition in Jharkhand, on Saturday, November 23.
- Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia's National Security Council, visited Kabul on November 26 to discuss strengthening ties, boosting trade, and fostering Russian investment with Taliban officials.?
- UniCredit offered €10.1bn to buy Banco BPM, which would create Europe’s third-largest bank by market capitalization, acquiring?a significant stake in Germany’s Commerzbank in September.
Insight of the Week:
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