Growing China-Taliban Ties
February 21st, 2023
Via Telangana Today, commentary on how China is one of the few countries that is committed to expanding its dealings with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, where it hopes to expand its use of the vast natural resources while also improving its own geopolitical security: In mid-2021 China welcomed a Taliban delegation, showing its willingness to […]
Read more »After Temporary Suspension, What’s Next for the Trans-Afghan Railway?
February 18th, 2023
Via The Diplomat, an article on the trans-Afghan railway, which was re-opened from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan after a recent suspension was lifted: A temporary suspension of the transit of freight wagons from the Galaba railway station in the city of Termez, Uzbekistan to the Hairatan railway station in Afghanistan just across the river was lifted on February 10. […]
Read more »Russia To Build Thermal Power Plant In Northern Afghanistan
February 10th, 2023
Via Euro Weekly News, a report on Russia’s plans to build a power plant in northern Afghanistan: According to Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov on Friday, February 10, Russia has agreed to build a thermal power plant in northern Afghanistan. Initial reports suggest that plans have been agreed upon for Russia to build a thermal power […]
Read more »China’s Mining Ambitions In Afghanistan Haunted By Militants
January 27th, 2023
Courtesy of Nikkei Asia, a look at how ISIS-K has stepped up threats and attacks in Afghanistan as Beijing eyes the nation’s oil and copper: Escalating threats from Islamist militants are casting doubt on the future of big-money Chinese mining projects in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas (CAPEIC) signed a 25-year oil […]
Read more »China in Afghanistan: Rare Opportunity or Poisoned Chalice?
January 27th, 2023
Via Geopolitical Futures, commentary on China’s interest and role in Afghanistan: The foreign ministers of China and Afghanistan spoke for nearly an hour on Jan. 22 about Afghanistan’s economic development and ensuring the security of Chinese personnel involved in Afghan projects. This followed the signing on Jan. 5 of an oil extraction agreement between China’s […]
Read more »The Taliban’s New Supercar Runs Like Its Beloved Toyotas
January 18th, 2023
Via Quartz, a report on the Mada 9 – Afghanistan’s first indigenously made supercar – which most observers believe is a Taliban effort to divert national and global attention from recent Afghan government decisions related to women’s rights and a faltering economy: Nobody saw this car launch coming. And now they can’t stop talking about Mada 9. […]
Read more »Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.