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Decis SITREP: Asia and Oceania Focus
Thanksgiving edition ๐ฆ
Good morning.
Weโre celebrating Thanksgiving so itโs just the data and ratings today, no news.
A quick ask
Thereโs a poll at the bottom of the email and it would be incredibly useful if you could take 30 seconds to let us know how weโre doing. Good, bad, ugly? Just let us know. Thank you ๐
Commodity and Rate Snapshot
๐ข๏ธ Crude Futures (WTI) | $69.19 |
๐ต USD:EUR | $1.055 (Price of 1EUR in USD) |
โฟ Bitcoin | $95,543 |
As at Nov 28, 07:00ET -Data is illustrative, not for decision-making.
Financial data via Bloomberg, Freightos and AlphaVantage
Asia Stability Ratings and News Summary
More Unstable
๐ฆ๐ซ Afghanistan, ๐ฆ๐ฒ Armenia, ๐ฆ๐ฟ Azerbaijan, ๐ง๐ญ Bahrain, ๐ง๐ฉ Bangladesh, ๐ง๐น Bhutan, ๐ฐ๐ญ Cambodia, ๐จ๐ณ China, ๐น๐ฑ East Timor, ๐ฌ๐ช Georgia, ๐ฎ๐ณ India, ๐ฎ๐ฉ Indonesia, ๐ฎ๐ท Iran, ๐ฏ๐ต Japan, ๐ฐ๐ฟ Kazakhstan, ๐ฐ๐ฌ Kyrgyzstan, ๐ฑ๐ฆ Laos, ๐ฒ๐พ Malaysia, ๐ฒ๐ป Maldives, ๐ฒ๐ฒ Myanmar, ๐ณ๐ต Nepal, ๐ฐ๐ต North Korea, ๐ต๐ฐ Pakistan, ๐ต๐ญ Philippines, ๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore, ๐ฐ๐ท South Korea, ๐ฑ๐ฐ Sri Lanka, ๐น๐ผ Taiwan, ๐น๐ฏ Tajikistan, ๐น๐ญ Thailand, ๐น๐ฒ Turkmenistan, ๐ฆ๐ช United Arab Emirates, ๐บ๐ฟ Uzbekistan, ๐ป๐ณ Vietnam
More Stable
No countries were more stable over this period
Unchanged
๐ง๐ณ Brunei, ๐ฐ๐ผ Kuwait, ๐ฒ๐ณ Mongolia, ๐ด๐ฒ Oman, ๐ถ๐ฆ Qatar
Regional News Summary
Singapore's economy continues to demonstrate resilience, with a reported growth rate of 3.5% and a positive outlook for its financial markets. The government is actively working to diversify its economy, notably through initiatives to revive the fish farming sector and attract foreign investment, exemplified by Morgan Stanley's establishment of a new Southeast Asia headquarters in the city-state [SOURCE - Investing]. Additionally, Singapore's inflation rate has fallen to its lowest since March 2021, providing further optimism for economic stability [SOURCE - CNBC].
However, the political landscape is shifting as former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong steps down as the chief of the People's Action Party, handing over leadership to Lawrence Wong. This transition underscores the importance of orderly political handovers in maintaining stability in a rapidly changing world [SOURCE - Channel News Asia].
In contrast, tensions are escalating in Taiwan as China intensifies its military incursions into the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taiwan to bolster its military readiness [SOURCE - Times of India]. The United States is responding by drawing up contingency plans for a potential Taiwan emergency, reaffirming its commitment to regional security [SOURCE - Economic Times].
Meanwhile, Myanmar's humanitarian crisis deepens, with nearly 40% of the 3.4 million displaced individuals being children. The United Nations has flagged the dire situation, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and anti-personnel mine casualties [SOURCE - The Hindu]. As rebel groups gain ground, the military regime faces increasing challenges to its authority [SOURCE - ABC News].
In the realm of international relations, the Philippines is grappling with internal strife as Vice President Sara Duterte's threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have raised alarms over national security [SOURCE - Bangkok Post]. This political turmoil comes amid a devastating typhoon season, which has further strained the country's resources and disaster preparedness [SOURCE - Scoop].
Protests erupted in Pakistan following allegations of election rigging in the recent polls. Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), blocked roads in several cities, including Peshawar and Quetta, demanding a recount of votes and accusing authorities of manipulating the results. Protestors reached the center of Islamabad before being turned back by security forces and subsequently dispersed. [SOURCE - BBC]
In economic developments, India is witnessing a surge in its IT-BPM industry, with significant growth and competitiveness recognized by the Department of Finance [SOURCE - Manila Times]. Additionally, India's opposition party is poised for a landslide victory in Maharashtra, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape [SOURCE - WION News].
Oceania Stability Ratings and News Summary
More Unstable
๐ฆ๐บ Australia, ๐ฐ๐ฎ Kiribati, ๐ณ๐ท Nauru, ๐ต๐ฌ Papua New Guinea, ๐ผ๐ธ Samoa, ๐ธ๐ง Solomon Islands, ๐น๐ป Tuvalu, ๐ป๐บ Vanuatu
More Stable
No countries were more stable over this period
Unchanged
๐ซ๐ฒ Federated States of Micronesia, ๐ซ๐ฏ Fiji, ๐ฒ๐ญ Marshall Islands, ๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand, ๐ต๐ผ Palau, ๐น๐ด Tonga
Regional News Summary
India and Australia have solidified a significant air-to-air refuelling pact for their military aircraft, enhancing their strategic ties. This agreement, announced during the Asia-Pacific Security Forum in Laos, is a pivotal aspect of their military cooperation, aimed at increasing the operational flexibility of their armed forces [SOURCE - The Hindu].
Meanwhile, in Australia, CapitaLand Investment is reinforcing its leadership team to drive expansion in the corporate sector, reflecting a broader trend of economic growth in the region [SOURCE - Business Insider]. However, the country faces a dual challenge: while it is on track to meet its ambitious emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030, significant anti-coal activism is gaining momentum, evidenced by a recent protest that forced a ship to abandon its docking plans at a coal terminal [SOURCE - GCaptain].
In New Zealand, safety and economic stability are under scrutiny. A recent stabbing incident at a mall has raised alarms about the country's safety standards, prompting calls for a review of security measures [SOURCE - RNZ News]. Additionally, the economic landscape is shifting, with Air New Zealand reporting lower earnings due to a shortage of planes caused by engine issues [SOURCE - RNZ News]. However, positive changes for international students have emerged, with new post-study work visa regulations making it easier for immigrants to remain in the country [SOURCE - India Today].
Fiji is also navigating complex dynamics, having recently hosted US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to bolster military ties [SOURCE - Defense.gov]. The nation is balancing defense diplomacy with pressing domestic issues, including a troubling rise in violence against women [SOURCE - RNZ].
Climate change remains a critical concern for many Pacific nations. The Marshall Islands are facing severe challenges due to rising sea levels, which threaten their very existence. The government is advocating for urgent global action to address climate change impacts [SOURCE - ReliefWeb]. Similarly, the Solomon Islands are grappling with coastal erosion and environmental degradation, exacerbated by illegal logging practices [SOURCE - Islands Business].
Final Factoid
The US appeared to reach peak Turkey in 1995. We will be doing what we can to turn this around today.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Carpe tomorrow!
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