Via Harvard University’s Belfer Center and? Rice University’s Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies, a very detailed look at Turkmenistan’s energy potential by Martha Brill Olcott, Ph.D. – Senior Associate, Russia and Eurasia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: I. Introduction Turkmenistan has enormous gas reserves, estimated at 13.4 trillion cubic meters (473.2 trillion cubic […]
Read more »Via BBC, a report on China’s growing appetite for Turkmen natural gas: China is a country facing huge environmental challenges as it pursues economic growth. One of its aims is to reduce its dependence on coal and switch to alternative energy sources like gas. So at an energy conference in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, China […]
Read more »Via Foreign Policy, an interesting look at Rason, a special economic zone far from the police state in Pyongyang: For the few who have ever been to North Korea, it might be a familiar feeling: that of being inside a country, while at the same time feeling outside of it. Visitors stroll through the streets […]
Read more »Via Pro Publica, an interesting and sad article on the untold story of Firestone, Charles Taylor and the tragedy of Liberia: The killers launched from the plantation under a waning moon one night in October 1992. They surged past tin-roofed villages and jungle hideouts, down macadam roads and red-clay bush trails. More and more joined their […]
Read more »Via Foreign Policy, an interesting look at Erbil where, with the Islamic State on their doorstep, Kurdish leaders have scaled back their once grandiose ambitions to focus on ensuring the survival of their enclave: Unused escalators rise up to bare concrete floors in the Ankawa mall; particle-board dividers form makeshift living spaces. Instead of shoppers […]
Read more »Courtesy of The Economist, a look at the potential of Mexico’s energy reforms to transform not just the oil & gas business but the whole of its industry, if not derailed by politics: RECRUITMENT flyers are being handed out in the main square of Los Ramones, a once-sleepy town of tumbleweed and spit-and-sawdust bars 63 […]
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