MenuTensions between Russia and the West over a possible invasion of Ukraine have reached their zenith. If a shooting war between the two ex-Soviet states does erupt, it will likely happen within the next 72 hours, or not at all (this does not preclude the possibility of limited border incursions by Russian troops or perhaps the
Category Archives: Articles & Blogs
The Future of Western Energy Investments in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is an oil and natural resource-rich country and consequently the destination for a great deal of energy and other investment. Western companies with an economic interest in Kazakhstan, such as Chevron and Exxon Mobil, are now assessing the security of their investments. For now, things seem stable. Read the full article…
Political Risks and Hobbesian Warfare Complicate Libyan Gas Supply for Europe
Since 2011, Libya has been suffering from a Hobbesian state of the war of all against all. Chaos, violence, and warfare massively impaired the north African energy giant’s oil and gas supplies. Read the full article…
Can Qatar Come to Europe’s Energy Rescue?
As the risk of a conflict between Ukraine and Russia grows – one that would undoubtedly imperil European energy security – the Emir of Qatar is invited to visit President Biden at the White House at the end of this month to discuss opportunities for the country to supply liquified natural gas (LNG) to Europe. Read the
Kazakhstan’s Stress Test: The January Tragedy and its Aftermath
In the first weeks of 2022, Kazakhstan experienced its most intense protests since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The causes of the turmoil in the country – like any major upheaval – are multi-faceted and were long in the making. Read the full article…
Western Reluctance on Nord Stream II Gas Pipeline, SWIFT Emboldens Russia
As the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine grows ever more likely, Berlin’s hesitancy to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and other pressure points, such as the SWIFT bank transfer system, erodes deterrence and may invite Russian aggression. Read the full article…
Kazakhstan Crisis, Part 2: The Path Forward
Overcoming recent events in Kazakhstan will require wisdom and great diplomatic skills from the country’s leadership. Read the full article…
Kazakhstan Crisis, Part 1: Drivers and Implications
As with any major social and geostrategic upheaval, the ongoing events in Kazakhstan are driven by several dynamics. Read the full article…
China And Russia Make Critical Mineral Grabs in Africa While the U.S. Snoozes
Countries across the globe are pursuing zero-emission goals, which have created a bottleneck of critical rare earth elements (REE) such as cobalt, copper, and lithium. These are essential components in producing renewable energy technology, from electric vehicle batteries to wind turbine blades. Read the full article…
With New German Gigafactory, Tesla Looks To Build On Big Lead In Surging European EV Sales
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is occurring apace; sales in Europe are accelerating thanks to early adopter enthusiasm and government subsidies – given the shift in government and EU-wide cleaner energy initiatives. According to Schmidt Automotive, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales will reach a market share of 60% in Western Europe by 2030, or 8.4 million