How the UN's sustainability goals dovetail with cannabis growth, including Life on Land, Responsible Production, Poverty Alleviation, and Climate Action.

Which countries in Asia are rising stars in the cannabis space.

Why Asian cannabis is more sustainable than the North American cannabis model.

The launch of the Asia Industrial Hemp Association and what it is doing for governments and companies in Asia.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

Sustainable Development: Building a Case for Hemp by Pauline Sullivan, Catherine Chan-Halbrendt, and Tun Lin (Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management)

Fred - This Land podcast by Rebecca Nagel

Jonathan - Hong Kong Security Law Sparks Race for Asia's Next Financial Capital (Nikkei Asian Review)

Israel’s consolidation as an attractive investment destination over the last two decades and why Israeli businesspersons focus on international opportunities.

How US companies in particular can benefit from Israel’s massive investments in infrastructure projects and the country’s advantages in life sciences.

The critical importance of tax considerations when doing business abroad.

Israel’s recent signing of a peace deal with the United Arab Emirates and which countries may follow the UAE.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

Mind Time: How ten mindful minutes can enhance your work, health and happiness, by Michael Chaskalson and Dr Megan Reitz

Fred

Jonathan

How the World Bank, as a lender of last resort, classifies countries and balances a country's financing needs with its geopolitical and other risks.

Key risks in infrastructure finance in developing nations.

Key trends in PPPs, project finance, and infrastructure finance pre-, during-, and post-Covid.

How developing nations are faring through Covid and their prospects for recovery.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

The Financial Times and The Economist

Fred

Jonathan

The imprisonment by the Chinese authorities of Rayhan’s brother, Ekpar, after he participated in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Uyghur forced labor in China supply chains and what companies can do to avoid getting entangled in the problem.

The connections between the different Turkic peoples, including the Uyghurs.

Rayhan’s views on Turkey, as a former resident of Istanbul.

The due process implications of the shift to online hearings in Mexico and elsewhere as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Concerns over Mexican government initiatives that jeopardizes property and contractual rights.

The Constellation Brands controversy in Mexicali.

Being a woman in Mexico's male-heavy criminal courts.

A rundown of the international oil and gas industry and what aspiring attorneys in this field should expect in order to excel.

The gender imbalance in the oil and gas industry, as well as the greater energy industry, along with ideas to further promote women's participation.

Nigeria's prospects for international business and future growth.

Recent developments in Africa and West Africa of which international businesses should be aware.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

Becoming by Michelle Obama

BoJack Horseman (Netflix original series)

YouTube channels of Vice and Vox for accessible information on interesting topics

Jonathan

Fred

The challenges and rewards of running your own law firm.

Women and the Mexican legal profession.

How a focus on compliance helps grow healthier businesses.

What the new USMCA (T-MEC) means for Mexico in terms of compliance (and beyond).

Mexico’s relationship with trade partners outside North America, including China.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck

Cracks podcast

Jonathan

Fred

The Chinese legal and regulatory environment for its international schools.

Important issues for foreign schools to consider when establishing their school brand in China.

How Covid-19 is impacting K-12 international schools.

Advice for people who want to teach in international schools around the world.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

Short Walks from Botoga: Journeys in the New Colombia by Tom Feiling

Jonathan – Nikkei Asian Review's Death of the Coffee King: Power and Money in Corporate India

Fred – Hardcore History podcast episodes titled Supernova in the East by Dan Carlin

Negative coverage of China in the mainstream media.

The good, the bad and the ugly of working at Huawei as a foreigner.

A long-term resident’s views on Indonesia.

Which countries in Asia have gotten it right? The importance of a healthy sense of paranoia.

The proper role of the state in markets.

Transitioning from the business world to academia.

The division of labor between Chinese provincial governments and local governments with regard to business and fostering entrepreneurship.

What it is like to work inside the Chinese government as a foreigner.

Major draws to foreign businesses to continue to engage with China.

Major limitations toward foreign businesses doing business with China.

Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:

Jonathan – The Ugly Chinaman by Bo Yang

Fred – The China Fantasy by James Mann