MenuThe Atlantic Council January 5, 2016 By Ariel Cohen http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/saudi-iranian-crisis-china-s-economic-slide-set-the-stage-for-perfect-storm-in-the-oil-market The deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran may have dire consequences for global oil markets because the kingdom’s Eastern Province, where the Shia are in the majority, produces most of its oil. Production would suffer if Iran were to foment unrest among this population.
Category Archives: Europe
Russia’s Quarrel With Turkey Is Distracting—and Dangerous
The National Interest December 3, 2015 By Ariel Cohen http://nationalinterest.org/archives/by/2398 De-escalation is crucial in order to restore focus on the Syrian war itself. As the world’s leaders gathered for the COP 21 climate change summit in Paris, a more immediate and grave threat should have preoccupied their attention. Two regional powers, Russia and Turkey, have
REPORT: Developing a Western Energy Strategy for the Black Sea Region and Beyond
Atlantic Council November 18, 2015 By Dr. Ariel Cohen In Developing a Western Energy Strategy for the Black Sea Region and Beyond, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center and Global Energy Center Ariel Cohen addresses the urgent need for a European policy on Black Sea energy following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
A ‘Cold War 2.0’ playing out in the Middle East
Jerusalem Post November 3, 2015 By Ariel Ben Solomon Putin’s government tries to establish a security belt stretching from Iraq to the Mediterranean, expert tells the “Post.” The US is facing a “Cold War 2.0” against Russia in places such as Ukraine, the Baltic states, and Syria as President Vladimir Putin’s government tries to establish
Ariel Cohen: Georgia Could Become an Energy Exporter
Georgia Today October 29, 2015 By Zviad Adzinbaia Georgia Today, like many of our Readers, was interested in the groundbreaking announcement by a US independent oil and gas exploration and production company Frontera Resources over discovery of an estimated 3.8 trillion cubic meters of gas in the Georgian region of Kakheti early this month. To
Turkey Energy Deals: Moscow’s Increased Intervention In Syrian War Is Putting Economic Accords With Ankara At Risk
International Business Times October 17, 2015 By Christopher Harress The European Union on Monday scheduled talks with Russia to press for the speedy resolution of a dispute with Ukraine that has hit gas supplies to countries in eastern and southern Europe facing freezing temperatures. Turkey has increased gas delivered from Russia via the Blue-Stream pipeline
Dr. Ariel Cohen on the September 2015 clashes on and around Temple Mount in Jerusalem
TRT World September 14, 2015
Russia from Ukraine to Syria: Helping the Cat Down the Tree
The Atlantic Council September 8, 2015 By Ariel Cohen Russia’s military involvement in Syria and Ukraine obligates the United States and its European allies to bring the Kremlin back to Earth and recognize that such adventures cannot be sustained indefinitely. Russia simply does not have the money and human resources to do so in view
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
Moscow’s Veto of MH17 Tribunal: A Blunder of Potentially Huge Proportions
On July 29, Russia vetoed a draft UN resolution seeking to set up a tribunal to prosecute those responsible for shooting down a Malaysia Airlines jumbo jet more than a year ago.
By exercising its Security Council veto against the resolution, Moscow has lost control of the process, committing a possible error that may ultimately lead to convictions of rebel leaders and Russian officials—and a new round of sanctions against the Kremlin. This appears to be a massive strategic misstep, which the West may exploit.