What We're Watching
Thai generals trading horses – The pro-junta Palang Prachat party came in second place in elections over the weekend, winning 97 of the 250 lower house seats up for grabs, according to preliminary results. Although the opposition Pheu Thai party won more seats overall, the junta still is in a commanding position to nominate a prime minister in coordination with a junta-appointed upper house. Still, the generals may have to reach across the aisle to strike uncomfortable alliances with new partners. We're watching to see whether the top brass can successfully manage the horse trading to keep their preferred candidate, current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in office, or if they'll be forced by pro-democracy parties to make a change.
WHAT WE ARE IGNORING
Nicolás Maduro's plans to convert to Islam – The foreign minister of Turkey – one of the few countries that supports Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro – says the South American strongman was so moved by a Turkish historical soap opera about the Ottoman empire that he has considered converting to Islam. We don't doubt the appeal of joining the world's fastest growing religion, nor do we discount the addictive impact of Turkish soap operas in Latin America, but we just can't see Maduro going through with this… right?More For You
As AI creates new opportunities, the people who understand a community best play an important role in determining how those opportunities take shape. Across the US, Microsoft is supporting AI literacy classes as part of a new program developed in collaboration with the Public Library Association, working through trusted local institutions to help people build practical AI skills. By pairing new technology with local knowledge, the initiative is helping communities explore how AI can support their needs and open new possibilities, while putting local leaders and organizations at the center of that work. Read the full story here.
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Russia is testing NATO’s red lines with escalating drone attacks and airspace violations. Can Europe defend Ukraine and itself without help from the US? Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski joins Ian Bremmer on GZERO World.
Who among us has not gotten stiffed by a superpower. #PUPPETREGIME
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