MenuThe National Interest October 15, 2015 By Ariel Cohen Last week, Russia hit Syria with 26 Kalibr cruise missiles fired from its warships in the Caspian Sea. The strikes mirrored the U.S. Tomahawk missile strikes against Iraq and Afghanistan of the past decade. This is the first time Russia is using military force outside the
Category Archives: Energy Security
Why Russia keeps pumping crude even as oil prices plummet
The Christian Science Monitor September 8, 2015 By Cristina Maza, Staff writer Russia – despite serious economic headwinds, and Western energy sanctions – is scrambling make sure it retains its status as a global leader in oil and gas. The persistent collapse of oil prices has been chalked up to a game of chicken between
CHINA’S “ONE BELT – ONE ROAD” MEGA-PROJECT WILL BOOST EURASIAN NATURAL GAS OPPORTUNITIES
Natural Gas Europe
June 29th, 2015
By Ariel Cohen
The efforts of China to ensure its economic development and preeminence include the creation of the “New Silk Road” – the enormous system of infrastructure mega-projects to stretch from the Pacific to the Atlantic. If completed, it will be the largest infrastructure undertaking ever built. Natural gas features prominently in the plan.
Turkey threatens the major prospects for Eastern Med gas supply
Security Europe
June 2015
By Ariel Cohen
As Europe seeks to diversify its sources of natural gas as an alternative to the politically sensitive Russian supply, a massive off-shore gas source in the Mediterranean is ready for exploration and drilling. There are game-changing stakes at play.
Beyond Oil and Gas: Kazakhstan Bets its Future on Reform
Natural Gas Europe
June 08, 2015
By Dr. Ariel Cohen
Recent events in Ukraine and Russia’s anti-Western rhetoric and military posture force European energy consumers to look for alternatives for Russian hydrocarbons. One of the possible suppliers of both oil and gas could be Kazakhstan, which boast the largest hydrocarbon resources in the oil-rich Caspian basin.
SYSTEMIC VIOLENCE THREATENS MIDDLE EAST OIL OUTLOOK
The Atlantic Council
June 03, 2015
By Dr. Ariel Cohen
When oil ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meet in Vienna on June 5, they’ll face a strategic dilemma. Political instability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is discouraging capital investment in local oil and gas projects, and shifting interest to North Americanshale—despite MENA’s cheap, abundant and easy-to-extract hydrocarbon resources (see graphs below). Although the current oil slump has hurt investment worldwide, the recovery period appears to favor investment in North America, the Caspian, and Africa at OPEC’s expense.
Why the 2016 Election Should Focus on Coal’s Future
The Wall Street Journal
May 08, 2015
By Dr. Ariel Cohen
Although many in the U.S. and around the world are trying to do in coal, it remains an important energy source in the 21st century. The 2016 presidential election will be about the future of U.S. coal.
Dr. Cohen discusses Europe’s energy security on “This Week in Focus”
Published on May 6, 2015 Expert Ariel Cohen joins the latest episode of “This Week in Focus”, to talk about Europe’s energy security, gas supplies from Caspian Region and Azerbaijan’s role in the Southern Gas Corridor
WILL GREECE–RUSSIA GAS DEAL THREATEN EU ENERGY SECURITY?
Natural Gas Europe
May 04, 2015
By Dr. Ariel Cohen
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that Greece would get “hundreds of millions of Euros every year” for bringing Russian gas into the EU. Gazprom’s goal is to establish a new entry point to Europe bypassing the traditional route through Ukraine. Panagiotis Lafazanis, the Greek energy minister, announced last week that Athens may repay the advance provided by Moscow once the “Turkish Stream” extension becomes operational in 2019.
How the Eastern Mediterranean Could Supply Natural Gas to Europe
As Europe is seeking sources of natural gas to serve as an alternative for the politically sensitive Gazprom supply, a massive gas source presents itself for exploration and production. Whether this will happen or not depends on Turkey, a potential transit country.