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Intrigue

Daily flyovers

Latest news for 30 March 2026

Quick hits of consequential news from all corners of the world.

  1. 01

    CUBA

    Trump lets oil through.

    The US is now granting a Russian tanker passage through Trump’s own oil blockade, allowing a rare delivery of ~730,000 barrels to Cuba. (NYT $)

    Comment: Why? President Trump is framing it all as a pragmatic and humanitarian decision, though it could also reflect a) a preference to avoid unnecessary confrontation with Moscow right now, and/or b) ongoing talks with Havana.

  2. 02

    MYANMAR

    Step down to step up.

    Junta boss and coup-leader Min Aung Hlaing is stepping down as commander-in-chief to stand as president, handing the nominal reins to a loyalist spymaster. (BBC)

    Comment: He’s trying to legitimise his rule with a veneer of democracy after recent sham elections: change the titles, keep the control. Before stepping down, he created a new Consultative Council that sits above everyone, with Min himself its likely chair.

  3. 03

    FRANCE

    Caught in the lick of time.

    French police have foiled an improvised explosive attack outside the Bank of America headquarters in Paris, citing links to the Iran war. (CBS News)

    Comment: It’s an example of the wartime brand risks now facing US companies.

  4. 04

    CHINA

    Shh, diplomacy at work.

    Manila and Beijing have resumed talks on shared oil and gas drilling amid China’s vast and unlawful claims to most of the South China Sea. (Reuters)

    Comment: While Beijing frames it all as routine diplomacy, the reality (said out-loud by Manila) is the Iran crisis is forcing both sides to reconsider their red lines to tap local energy supplies.

  5. 05

    INDONESIA

    Joint forces.

    Ships from Russia’s Pacific fleet docked in Jakarta over the weekend ahead of planned joint exercises. (Anadolu Ajansi)

    Comment: It’s classic ‘free and active’ Indonesia: signing a US trade deal one month, then hosting Russian warships the next. Meanwhile, Putin gets to flex his reach and push back on Western efforts at isolation.

  6. 06

    ARGENTINA

    Court orders.

    A US appeals court has overturned a $16B judgment against Argentina over its 2012 nationalisation of Spanish energy firm YPF. (AP)

    Comment: It’s a big win for President Milei — by removing a major contingent liability, this boosts his ability to attract foreign investment, restructure debt, and burnishes his political brand as the one just cleaning up his predecessors’ mess.

  7. 07

    SYRIA

    Back online.

    Syria is seeking $1B in foreign investment to rebuild its postal system and expand its mobile infrastructure, with international players like Poste Italiane and France’s La Poste already showing interest. (Bloomberg $)

    Comment: It’s a relatively rare ‘open door’ moment in two strategic sectors, hence these risk-averse Western players thinking the opportunity might outweigh the risks.