Category: Middle East

China, Middle EastLeave a comment

China diplomatic intervention and BeiDou Attribution: Confirmed

Colin Henderson

Behind the scenes China efforts to stop this war is successful for now, and their geopolitical and military influence is consequently enhanced. Israel remains a dark wild card. China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Wang Yi made 26 calls to regional counterparts and that Beijing’s special Middle East envoy shuttled Gulf capitals pushing a five-point Chinese-Pakistani peace proposal. Beijing now holds a visible mediator role in what had been a US-framed conflict. • New today: Trump’s public attribution to China; Beijing’s open confirmation of its mediation role.• Why it matters: Structural inflection: China successfully inserted itself as a co-guarantor of a US-Iran … Continue reading China diplomatic intervention and BeiDou Attribution: Confirmed

Diplomacy, Middle East

Here is a summary of the 15 points of the US plan

Colin Henderson

… that Iranian media says the Tehran government has rejected: Source Bloomberg 1. The Strait of Hormuz will remain open and shall be free zone for vessels 2. Iran’s ballistic missiles will be limited in number and range 3. Iranian missiles will be designated as for use in self-defense only 4. Iran shall be stripped of all nuclear capabilities and facilities 5. Iran will forswear nuclear weaponry 6. There will be no uranium enrichment on Iranian soil 7. Iran’s stockpile of highly-enrich uranium will be handed over the International Atomic Energy Agency on an agreed schedule 8. The Fordow, Isfahan … Continue reading Here is a summary of the 15 points of the US plan

AI, Geopolitics, intel, Middle East, Military

Analysis -Drone War Evolution: Equilibrium, Scenarios, and Off-Ramps

Colin Henderson

Introduction If previous wars were tanks and trenches the rapid shift to AI and physical cheap and effective drones point to a new step in drone warfare although it suggests more of a catch up on US part. It doesn’t feel like a Little Boy, moment but opposite and will extend the war, not bring diplomatic pressure unless targeting becomes more strategically aimed at driving diplomatic off ramps. Or in consideration of plausible scenarios is the Yuan repricing of Hormuz oil a more likely creative market driven indicator of what will bring an off ramp while drones produce a holding … Continue reading Analysis -Drone War Evolution: Equilibrium, Scenarios, and Off-Ramps

AI, Infrastructure, Innovation, Microsoft, Middle East, Military, productivity, Progress, Security

Coreweave joins ‘hyperscaler’ group

Colin Henderson

Research: CoreWeave’s AI Infrastructure and Market Position They have particular differentiation in 3. Infrastructure Differentiation. it is designed explicitly to operate with GPU infrastructure, and seed investment from Nvidia cements this. They have been around for eight years(8) years but still have startup characteristics. Their debt profile is high and rates are astronomic. They are working with Bank of America to refinance $1.5Bn debt. Their efforts in Spain are spectacular and Spain in particular is in dire need of high tech support. The facility was inaugurated today by the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, and Albert Tort, Secretary of Telecommunications and … Continue reading Coreweave joins ‘hyperscaler’ group

AI, Geopolitics, Middle East

Iraqi Banks Used U.S.-Created System to Funnel Funds to Iran

Colin Henderson

New York Fed’s process to move Baghdad’s oil earnings lacked key money-laundering safeguards, resulting in illicit transfers that financed terrorist groups for years David S. CloudSept. 8, 2024 at 9:00 pm ET His three Baghdad banks wired tens of billions of dollars in that time outside the country, ostensibly for car parts, furniture and other imports. He was one of the biggest operators in an ad hoc banking system set up around two decades ago under the U.S. occupation that gave the Federal Reserve Bank of New York a key role in processing Iraq’s international transactions.  Years later, when the … Continue reading Iraqi Banks Used U.S.-Created System to Funnel Funds to Iran

Middle East

Iraqi Special Forces during an operation against ISIS fighters in the desert of Anbar, Iraq, in 2022.Credit…Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

Colin Henderson

By Eric Schmitt Eric Schmitt covers U.S. national security issues, including military affairs and counterterrorism. Sept. 3, 2024Updated 6:51 p.m. ET American and Iraqi commandos raided several Islamic State hide-outs in western Iraq last week, killing at least 14 ISIS fighters in one of the most sweeping counterterrorism missions in the country in recent years. Seven U.S. soldiers were injured as more than 200 troops from both countries, including backup forces, hunted down fighters in bunkers over miles of remote terrain, U.S. and Iraqi officials said, adding that the size, scope and focus of the mission underscored the terrorist organization’s resurgence in … Continue reading Iraqi Special Forces during an operation against ISIS fighters in the desert of Anbar, Iraq, in 2022.Credit…Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

Middle East2 Comments

Borse Dubai launches $4bn bid for OMX

Colin Henderson

The Dubai Stock Exchange has launched an effort to purchase the Nordic/ Baltic market.  This is reminiscent of the issues last year, with the UAE firm trying and being blocked from managing the American ports. Finextra: Borse Dubai launches $4bn bid for OMX Borse Dubai has launched an unsolicited $3.98 billion (SKr27.7bn) bid for OMX, trumping Nasdaq’s offer for the Nordic and Baltic market operator. Shares in OMX were suspended on Friday morning amid frenzied speculation that Borse Dubai was gearing up to launch a formal takeover bid. Borse Dubai – a holding company for the Dubai International Financial Exchange … Continue reading Borse Dubai launches $4bn bid for OMX

Middle East

Business General Gulfnews.com | Media targeting a divided audience

Colin Henderson

As much as we think we have issues with marketing in North America, its not as bad as elsewhere, and indications are that it will only become more irrelevant to follow old methods.  Within the Banking industry there generally remains a resolve to ignore the evolution that is happening, and its useful to watch reactions in other countries as a reminder.  Within the Middle East, particularly UAE, and Saudi Arabia, where internet is relatively newer, there are lessons in watching and listening. Consumers in Saudi Arabia have more devices per household that US, and even India is close, despite being … Continue reading Business

General

Gulfnews.com | Media targeting a divided audience

Middle East, Wireless2 Comments

For Low income Un-banked | Emirates Bank to Launch Global Remittance Services through SMS Technology and Salary Cards

Colin Henderson

Mobile payments around the world continue to evolve more rapidly than North American or European Banks, with a few exceptions, are adapting to. This example, form Emirates Bank in Dubai, is aimed at unbanked in the Middle East is a classic example. It is provided by a North American company. Emirates Bank Group In a pioneering effort to provide financial services to the thousands of un-banked people across UAE, Emirates Bank has signed an agreement with Infospan Inc, a California based technology company, to launch a unique global service that will enable users to send and receive money instantly around … Continue reading For Low income Un-banked | Emirates Bank to Launch Global Remittance Services through SMS Technology and Salary Cards