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: Articles & Blogs
Oil Markets Yawn As Iran Sanctions Come Into Effect
A U.S. economic sledgehammer is falling on the Islamic Republic of Iran and global energy markets couldn’t care less – at least for now. Brent crude oil futures are up a meager $0.62 from their $72.61 open – bringing the benchmark to $73.23 just 12 hours into the first official day of renewed sanctions. Brent’s
Charging Up: Battery Storage Investments To Reach $620 Billion By 2040
The market for energy storage is rapidly gaining momentum around the world. The growing cost-competitiveness of carbon-free energy sources, coupled with improving technology and more environmentally conscious government policies are driving a demand boom for batteries in both the transportation and utility power sectors. But just how big is this boom expected to be? Continued
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
Dr. Cohen’s discusses US- Russian relations on a leading Russian talk show, prime time Rossiya TV Channel
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Dr. Cohen Speaking at the Ukrainian World Congress
Imagining ‘State of the Art’/’Cutting Edge’ Cooperative Financial Endeavors, Ukrainian World Congress at 50 and Beyond: The Roadmap, Toronto, Canada, 11 November 2017. https://www.facebook.com/uketube/videos/1681737495189817/’
Russia Is Roaring Back to the Middle East While America Is Asleep
November 27, 2017 Originally posted in the National Interest: http://nationalinterest.org/feature/russia-roaring-back-the-middle-east-while-america-asleep-23323 Russia is back in the Middle East. The Kremlin is methodically creating a systematic geopolitical challenge to the interests of the United States and its allies. Moscow’s behavior is driven by a quest for prestige and influence, and a search for markets of its arms
Russia’s Return To The Middle East: America Beware
Originally published: The Navigator November 15, 2017 Russia’s Return To The Middle East: America Beware Russia is back in the Middle East, creating a broad and systemic geopolitical challenge to the United States. Moscow’s actions are driven by a confluence of prestige seeking, influence mongering, and a search for new markets for Russian arms and