MenuAs Russia further invaded Ukraine last week, the West is deploying an arsenal of painful sanctions against Moscow, targeting energy projects such as Nord Stream 2, Russian debt trade limitations, financial systems such as SWIFT, and the flow of high-tech goods, including advanced computer chips. Read the full article…
Category Archives: Russia & Eurasia
Power Transition in Turkmenistan Could Mean Big Changes for Neighbors
The forthcoming political change will affect vast energy resources, especially natural gas, in Turkmenistan, one of the most isolated and impoverished countries in Eurasia. Read the full article…
EU’s Rebranding Of Natural Gas And Nuclear Power As ‘Green Investments’ Could Not Come At A Better Time
Tensions 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
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…
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…
Putin’s one-two punch European strategy to defeat America
On Jan. 9, the Biden administration will begin negotiations in Geneva over the “Putin Ultimatum,” two sets of demands presented to the U.S. and NATO. If accepted, they would destroy 30 years of post-Cold War European security policy while opening the path to Russian Empire 3.0 — the latest imperial iteration after the Romanoffs and the Soviets. Read the