MenuLet’s not mince words – the energy crisis in Texas is an unmitigated disaster on all fronts. Some 4.4 million people have been without power, heat, and running water for days and lack of the state grid’s preparation is to blame. Texas loves to brag about its energy independence and self-reliant electrical grid. But the events of the past week
Category Archives: Geopolitics
Strategic Vacuums Resulting from U.S. Retreat
Geopolitics – like nature – abhors a vacuum. History is replete with examples that demonstrate how the rapid depressurization of a power pulling out from a region too quickly or too soon can lead to instability in the form of civil wars, military coups, or genocide. U.S. disengagement from key areas of Eurasia would create
VENEZUELA’S FINEST HOUR: GUAIDO, TRUMP AND THE WEST CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE | OPINION
We may be approaching the finale of the power struggle between Venezuela’s illegitimate Chavista regime and the country’s beleaguered democratic opposition. If the opposition’s champion Juan Guaido can succeed in wresting authority from Nicholas Maduro, the consequences will reverberate well beyond Caracas, into global energy markets—and exacerbate the U.S.–Russia rivalry. Continued
GM Must Adapt Or Die: A Lesson For U.S. Automakers
General Motors (NYSE:GM) announced Monday that it would be closing down five of its facilities across the United States, ceasing the production of six of its sedan brands, including the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CT6, XTS, Chevrolet Cruze, Impala, and hybrid-electric Volt. GM will also lay off some 15,000 workers. The car manufacturer claims that through
Infrastructure Development in Central Asia
Development debates often focus on natural curses and blessings. For some countries, being landlocked is a curse resulting in difficult and costly access to/from markets. However, for the countries comprising Central Asia, most notably Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in ancient times and today, being landlocked has been a blessing. The Silk Road puts Central Asia in
When Fear Trumps Markets: Is The $100/bbl Oil Inevitable?
Is $100 a barrel (bbl) inevitable? Brent crude is now trading at $82/bbl, a four-year high, and most analysts believe it won’t stop there. The geopolitical and global financial climate is certainly hospitable to rising oil prices: Saudi Arabia’s Jamal Khashoggi crisis, the specter of Iran sanctions, turmoil in heavy oil-producing states like Venezuela and
Trump Must Stand Up to Putin—But He Needs Europe’s Help
On July 16, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are to meet in Helsinki, Finland, for what promises to be an historic summit—one likely to define the course of U.S.-Russian relations for many years to come. Following on the heels of the July 12 NATO summit in Brussels, the outcome of these U.S.-Russia talks may affect
Germany and the US need a new beginning in their security relationship
In the snow-covered, fairy-tale city of Munich, global security leaders gathered for their yearly conclave, the Munich Security Conference, the Davos of foreign policy and power. However, instead of Bavarian glory, tension was in the air. This participant repeatedly saw speakers talking past each other, creating an impression that this was not a dialogue about
Trump’s task of balancing diplomacy in Asia with interests of his voters is no easy task
In his visit to East Asia, President Trump sought to make progress toward five big objectives. Those included reconfigure trade relations, especially with China; tackling North Korea’s aggressive nuclear posture; laying the foundations for a comprehensive Asia policy; reinforcing political-military alliances, particularly with Japan, South Korea and the Philippines; and dealing with China’s economic and