Sibylline Insight Podcast

Risks for Canadian Businesses Remain Elevated as Meng Wanzhou Case Proceeds

On 16 May, the Chinese government announced that they have formally arrested two Canadian nationals – Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor – who have been detained for over five months, on charges of violating state secrets. This marks the latest development in the highly politicised cases of Kovrig, Spavor and Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, which have led to an atmosphere of elevated tensions between China and Canada in recent months. As Beijing seeks to exert pressure on Ottawa, Canadian companies operating in China are facings risks ranging from arbitrary detentions of staff to enhanced inspections and customs delays.

Key points include:

• The latest development in the cases of Meng, Kovrig and Spavor
• The impact of Beijing’s economic pressure campaign on Canadian companies
• The likely trajectory of this situation and flashpoints for related risks

 We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

Sibylline Podcast - Sudan - Tensions Between Civilians and Transitional Military Council Drive Threats to Stability

Since the removal of President Omar al-Bashir on 11 April, protests have continued, with tensions remaining elevated between civilians demanding meaningful reform and a transitional military council attempting to retain executive control of the state.

Key points include:

• The formation of a movement to demand a transition to civilian rule
• The objectives of the Transitional Military Council
• The trajectory of growing internal division and its impact on government stability and policy risk

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

Sibylline Podcast - Sri Lanka - Easter Sunday Attack Triggers State of Emergency and Could Ignite Religious Tensions

On 21 April, suicide bombers killed at least 359 people and injured more than 500 at churches and hotels across Sri Lanka. The government has said that a local Islamist group carried out the attacks with the assistance of foreign jihadists, while Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility.

 

Key points include:

 

• Who may have been behind the attacks
• Possible motivations for the bombings
• Potential local and regional security implications following the attacks

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

Sibylline Podcast - Venezuela - Resolution to Crisis Unlikely in Coming Months

10 April marked three months since opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself as Venezuela’s interim president following the start of President Nicolas Maduro’s highly contested second term in office on 10 January. Despite Guaidó enjoying strong domestic support and backing from the EU, US and the majority of Latin America governments, Maduro has been able to remain in power.

Key points include:

• The government’s recent crackdown on the opposition
• Possible scenarios in Venezuela over the coming months
• Factors that would herald an escalation of the current situation
• Key triggers and tripwires that will shape the next phase of the Venezuelan crisis

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

Sibylline Podcast - Algeria - Bouteflika's Resignation Drives Establishment Infighting

_{On 2 April, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned from office, leaving Algeria’s political future uncertain. This was the culmination of nearly two months of protests, which look unlikely to subside as the establishment seeks to retain power. The concessions to demonstrators have encouraged demands for substantive constitutional reforms, which the military and political elite may be unwilling to grant. Infighting within the establishment will directly impact business operations.}

_{Key points include:}

• _{The developments that caused Bouteflika’s resignation}
• _{The political ramifications of his departure}
• _{Likely impact on business}

_{We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk}

 

Sibylline Podcast - Israel - Policy Continuity Likely Despite Fraught Election Campaign

On 9 April, Israel will hold general elections, pitting incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against main rival Benny Gantz. Polling indicates this will be a closely fought contest, with a number of potential outcomes. This is an election where policy has been overshadowed by personalities, not least due to Netanyahu’s impending indictment on charges of corruption.

Key points include:

• The main candidates to be the next Prime Minister, their policies and chances of success
• Potential electoral outcomes in the Knesset, where neither candidate has an easy route to a majority
• Likely impact on the business environment in the event of a victory for Gantz or Natanyahu

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

 

Sibylline Podcast - United Kingdom - Limited Brexit Delay Indicates Rising 'No Deal' Risk

On 21 March, the European Council granted Prime Minister Theresa May a delay to the UK's departure date from the EU until 12 April, with a potential extension until 22 May. This is significantly shorter than the 30 June delay which May asked for, highlighting the growing pressure on the prime minister and an increasing likelihood of a 'no deal' Brexit.

 

Key points include:

• The plausibility of the Withdrawal Treaty passing in an upcoming vote in the UK parliament
• The prospects of a parliamentary breakdown and/or a general election
• The likelihood, indicators, and immediate impacts of a 'no deal' scenario

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

 

Sibylline Podcast – Ukraine – Presidential elections likely to drive policy uncertainty

On 31 March, Ukraine will hold presidential elections, with the race currently too close to call. Incumbent Petro Poroshenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy are leading the polls with a second round likely. This podcast will assess the key issues of the campaign and determine the impact of the uncertainty surrounding the election's outcome.

 

Key points include:

 

• Direction of the Donbas conflict over 2019
• Scope for reform beyond the elections
• Russia's response to the uncertain election outcome

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

Sibylline Podcast – India-Pakistan – Recent tensions fit pattern of controlled escalation

The 14 February suicide bomb attack on Indian paramilitary troops prompted an extended fallout between Islamabad and New Delhi with a series of retaliatory actions raising fears of a broader conflict. This podcast will examine the current status of India-Pakistan relations and likelihood of escalation to broader confrontational scenarios.

 

Key points include:

 

• Context of the war in Kashmir
• Current status of India-Pakistan relations
• Key triggers of a wider conflict
  
  
  

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk

Sibylline Podcast - EU - European Parliament Election Will Strain EU Decision-Making, Moderately Increasing Policy Risks

Ahead of European Parliament elections in May 2019 where mainstream centrist factions are set to lose their absolute majority for the first time in EU history, we assess policy risks and operational implications of the election.

 

Key points include:

• Implications for the policies and configuration of the new European Commission
• Consequences for policy risk in the European Union
• Operational impacts on the level of individual states
  
  

We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome questions and feedback. Please get in touch at info@sibylline.co.uk