MenuDevelopment 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
Category Archives: Geopolitics
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
Dr. Cohen on BBC news: Trump in China
NYC Attack Shows Focus on Middle East Terror Risks Is Misplaced
Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year old, married father of two from a far-away land many Americans haven’t heard about (let alone can find on a map) is the alleged perpetrator of yet another blood-curdling terror attack in the U.S. — this time, in New York City, where he allegedly drove a bus down a busy bicycle
Kazakhstan is opting for nuclear engagement, not deterrence
With North Korea wreaking havoc by testing nuclear weapons and missiles, and with Iranian nuclear program becoming once again the focus of U.S. foreign policy, Washington is searching for solutions to both crises. It is important to keep in mind that there are alternative, safer nuclear energy policies. Pyongyang and Tehran should take note and
Dr. Cohen on “Вечер с Владимиром Соловьевым” / ”Evening with Vladimir Solovyov” on 06.20.2017
Topic “Possibility of cooperation between the US and Russia despite all the previous disagreements” https://russia.tv/video/show/brand_id/21385/episode_id/1514476/
U.S.-Europe Rift: Is the West’s Survival at Stake?
Is the current conflict between the Trump Administration and the European leaders, including with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, threatening the survival of the West as we know it? If so, then it does not serve America’s – or Europe’s – interests. Both sides need to reverse the negativity before it is too late. America’s peer