Crude Vision: An American Oil Empire Is A Flawed Idea
January 17th, 2026
Via The Economist, a look at Donald Trump’s expansive ambitions and limited plans: JUST HOURS after America captured Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s dictator, on January 3rd, President Donald [...]
Who Will Cash In On Venezuelan Oil?
January 13th, 2026 Via The Economist, a look at who will cash in on Venezuelan oil? “Obviously at the front of the pack.” That is how Scott Bessent, America’s treasury secretary, describes Chevron’s position [...]
January 13th, 2026 Via The Economist, a look at who will cash in on Venezuelan oil? “Obviously at the front of the pack.” That is how Scott Bessent, America’s treasury secretary, describes Chevron’s position [...]
The Manager-Monarch Who Saved Oman
January 13th, 2026 Courtesy of Foreign Policy, a report on Oman’s new(ish) sultan who doesn’t do spectacle. He does spreadsheets. And it’s working. Six years ago this month, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq inherited a [...]
January 13th, 2026 Courtesy of Foreign Policy, a report on Oman’s new(ish) sultan who doesn’t do spectacle. He does spreadsheets. And it’s working. Six years ago this month, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq inherited a [...]
Russia, France and the US: The High-Stakes Scramble for Madagascar
January 13th, 2026 Via The Africa Report, a look at how a recent visit to Madagascar by a Russian delegation led by the head of Africa Corps has sparked domestic controversy. But Moscow is far from the only power [...]
January 13th, 2026 Via The Africa Report, a look at how a recent visit to Madagascar by a Russian delegation led by the head of Africa Corps has sparked domestic controversy. But Moscow is far from the only power [...]
Trump Is Making a Power Play in Latin America. China Is Already There.
January 12th, 2026 Courtesy of the New York Times, a look at how China built a dominant strategic position in the region as the leading lender and trading partner, and it is watching President Trump’s next moves [...]
January 12th, 2026 Courtesy of the New York Times, a look at how China built a dominant strategic position in the region as the leading lender and trading partner, and it is watching President Trump’s next moves [...]
Can Trump Make Venezuela an Oil Giant Again?
January 12th, 2026 Via the Wall Street Journal, commentary on President Trump’s desire to have U.S. oil companies return to Venezuela in a big way, but the petrostate’s turbulent history suggests formidable [...]
January 12th, 2026 Via the Wall Street Journal, commentary on President Trump’s desire to have U.S. oil companies return to Venezuela in a big way, but the petrostate’s turbulent history suggests formidable [...]