Understanding proxy wars, BYD's car sales surge and new gadgets unveiled at CES 2024
January 2024
Hello and welcome!👋
Hi there, this is the first edition of 2024. Apologies for the delay, I was travelling last week and lost track of the days.
Hope everyone had a productive and healthy January. We’re less than two weeks away from celebrating the Year of the Dragon, which is believed to bring progress, abundance and prosperity.
WHAT ARE PROXY WARS?
Ratcheting tensions in the Middle East have underlined the prevalence of proxy warfare in the 21st century.
Unlike traditional conflicts with defined sides and battle lines, proxy wars are murkier and could involve states themselves, state-sponsored groups or states acting on behalf of other powers.
There are debates over what kind of assistance (financial, weapons, military personnel and/or intelligence) constitutes as involvement. Additionally, questions are often asked about the motivations of the major powers - is it covert disruption, regime transformation or to gain influence? At the end of the day, are proxy wars really a lower cost and less risky alternative to direct confrontation?
This matters because the deteriorating situation in the Middle East reveals how proxy wars can drastically impact lives and diplomatic relations.
Foreign policy experts are now examining the revival of the so-called “Axis of Resistance”. The Guardian says the “current crisis marks the first time the axis has mobilised on multiple fronts”. It’s certainly a development that will shape the year to come.
CHINA’S ELECTRIC CAR BOOM
Although Tesla is the brand name most commonly associated with electric vehicles (EVs), the world’s leading seller could soon be China’s BYD.
In a recent release, BYD said customers bought 526,000 of its battery-only vehicles in the final quarter of 2023. By comparison, Tesla delivered 484,500 vehicles in the same October to December period.
While Tesla’s annual sales tally still gives it the edge, BYD’s growth trajectory is impressive - and analysts are paying close attention to how this success will play out globally.
According to The Economist, Beijing’s generous support for domestic EV manufacturers as well as the country’s battery expertise and tech savvy population are key factors. BYD’s peers include Geely, NIO and Chery. Western firms “cannot keep pace with buccaneering Chinese rivals, which move almost twice as fast,” it reports.
What’s more, BYD is gaining momentum internationally. Brazil, Vietnam, New Zealand and Sweden are among its popular markets. The company’s executives have also announced plans to build a factory in Hungary to localise European production.
But this expansion is not without scrutiny. The European Commission is investigating whether low-priced Chinese EVs benefit from “illegal” government subsidies, therefore giving them an unfair advantage. Over in the US, politicians are watching to see if Chinese EV makers will do something similar and set up shop in Mexico.
INNOVATIVE GADGETS AND GEAR
Every January, thousands of exhibitors and delegates descend on Las Vegas for CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show). The massive trade fair is famous for showing off new gadgets and gizmos, with products ranging from the practical to the totally bizarre.
Here’s a selection of some of the innovative hardware that grabbed attention:
Smart home companion: Samsung’s Ballie is a mini robot that doubles as a personal assistant. It can patrol your house, manage appliances and continuously learn from your habits to develop bespoke solutions.
A transparent television: LG’s OLED Signature T features a mode that allows viewers to see through the screen while keeping the main subject in focus. Gizmodo says the effect gives “your content a neat holographic look”.
Self-driving baby stroller: Start-up Gluxkind introduced its Ella AI Powered Smart Stroller, which contains autonomous driving technology and sensors to check surroundings. The autopilot stroller has a price tag of US$3,300.
Smart binoculars: Identifying birds and other animals can be challenging, says Swarovski Optik. The company’s AX Visio binoculars uses AI tools to help you spot wildlife accurately.
Programmable backpack designs: Bags are fashion statements, so why stick to one design when you could change the colours, patterns and animations with the push of a button? HappySites LED Backpacks incorporate dynamic LED displays that are customisable and fun.
Thanks for reading! Take care and stay curious, Sara x