Salutations, Olio aficionados! 👋
Midweek greetings to all, as we unveil the 223rd chapter of Weekly Olio—a delightful concoction of laughter, insight, and a sprinkle of mystery. Within these pages, you'll discover a handpicked selection of fascinating finds from the vast realms of the internet.
Keep your eyes peeled for this week’s Publisher’s Parmesan, arriving this Sunday!
A word from our Sponsors…
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The Quote 💭
“Most of us aren't defeated in one decisive battle. We are defeated one tiny, seemingly insignificant surrender at a time that chips away at who we should really be.”
The Tweet 🐦
Tech companies are making massive bets on AI. Some of these leases can last up to 19 years, locking Oracle into massive fixed costs regardless of future AI demand.
The Infographic 💹
China is changing the global car industry in a big way. In 2025, it's expected that sales of Chinese cars will increase by 17% compared to the previous year, reaching about 27 million units. Meanwhile, Japanese car sales are expected to stay the same at around 25 million units. This means China would become the world's top seller of new cars, taking over a position Japan has held for more than 20 years.
Leadership Can’t Be Automated
AI can help you move faster, but real leadership still requires human judgment.
The free resource 5 Traits AI Can’t Replace explains the traits leaders must protect in an AI-driven world and why BELAY Executive Assistants are built to support them.
The Short Read 📝
The article argues that America's "polycentric innovation state" – a multi-level hybrid system combining market mechanisms, federal mission-oriented policies, and state initiatives – provides resilience against Trump's federal R&D cuts. Rather than relying solely on market forces, the US coordinates innovation across federal, state, and regional levels, a model that developed over more than a decade since the 2008 financial crisis. States like Maine and Michigan have built substantial independent institutional capacity and funding mechanisms that operate independently of federal programs. This decentralized structure contrasts with the common misconception that the US relies purely on markets while China uses state-led approaches; both employ sophisticated government strategies.
The article emphasizes that Trump's federal cuts threaten coordination mechanisms but cannot dismantle the entire multi-level architecture. American competitiveness depends on government coordination at multiple levels, not markets alone. The key question is whether policymakers will support this hybrid system or allow it to fragment during critical competition with China. Read more…
The Long Read 📜
The Venezuelan Oil Narrative is PURE THEATRE - by Tracy
The article argues that the Pentagon's 2026 military operation in Venezuela is fundamentally about critical minerals and adversary expulsion, not oil. While the public narrative emphasizes oil and drugs, the actual strategic drivers are three convergent threats: China's control of critical mineral extraction and processing, Iran's drone manufacturing facilities, and Russia's military integration in the region. Venezuelan oil production (700,000 barrels daily) is insufficient to justify military action compared to Iraq's 2003 reserves. Instead, the Pentagon prioritizes Venezuela's coltan, rare earth elements, and other strategic minerals essential for weapons systems. China dominates 60-95% of global mineral processing and demonstrated willingness to weaponize supply chains through 2025 export restrictions. Chinese buyers operate directly at Venezuelan mining sites, controlling extraction through integrated operations with armed groups and Venezuelan state officials.
Additionally, Iran has established permanent drone manufacturing facilities within strike range of the continental United States, while Russia deployed military advisers with integrated air defense systems. Venezuela uniquely concentrates all three adversarial threats simultaneously, making it strategically critical for Pentagon objectives beyond resource acquisition. Read more…
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That’s all for this week. If you enjoyed this edition, we’d really appreciate if you shared it with a friend, family member or colleague.
We’ll be back in your inbox 2 PM IST next Wednesday. Till then, have a productive week!
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.