Via FDI, an interesting look at how the failed independence referendum and resignation of president Masoud Barzani have rocked the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and its investment potential: Seen until recently as the most investor-friendly destination in Iraq, the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is now at its weakest point since pre-2003 following a failed independence […]
Read more »Via The Diplomat, a look at how / if information and communication technologies help China realize its Digital Silk Road: In his speech at the opening ceremony of China’s 19th Party Congress, President Xi Jinping depicted China as a model of scientific and harmonious development for developing nations. Xi’s China wants to engage the world through commerce but also through environmental […]
Read more »Via CSIS’s Reconnecting Asia project, a look at CPEC: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Announced in 2015, CPEC has expanded to include as much as $62 billion of investments. In Pakistan, there have been a range of reactions. CPEC advocates have characterized it as a “game-changer.” Others […]
Read more »Courtesy of Forbes, an interesting look at Iran’s efforts to capitalize on its potential to become a transport hub in the heart of Eurasia: With most sanctions lifted, Iran is going all-in on its potential to become a transport hub in the heart of Eurasia, returning the country to its traditional position as a vital link […]
Read more »Via Forbes, a look at how Azerbaijan, Georgia, And Turkey subverted Russia and isolated Armenia with a new railway: After many years of anticipation and delays, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) rail line has ceremoniously gone into service. Its first train just pulled out of the New Port of Baku on Monday, making its first official run across Azerbaijan […]
Read more »Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), a look at Guyana’s petroleum future: Highlights ExxonMobil will start producing oil from offshore wells in Guyana by 2020. The country’s initial oil production is expected to begin at around 120,000 barrels per day. Guyana’s government likely will become dependent on oil revenue over the next decade. But greater oil […]
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