Afghanistan’s Role in Fuelling Smuggling and Drug Trafficking
September 23rd, 2024
Via Modern Diplomacy, a report on how – since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021 – concerns have escalated regarding the group’s involvement in illicit activities: Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, concerns have escalated regarding the group’s involvement in illicit activities. One issue drawing international attention is […]
Read more »Uzbekistan To Start Processing Afghan Crude As Taliban Attempt Oil Revival
September 15th, 2024
Via S&P Global, a report on plans for Uzbekistan to start processing Afghan crude as Taliban attempt an oil revival: Fergana refinery to process volumes shipped across border Energy crisis prompts upstream push by Taliban government Iranian shortages seen worsening Afghan fuel problems Uzbek oil refiner Saneg has struck a deal to process a first batch […]
Read more »Can Afghanistan’s Economy Survive Without Aid?
September 14th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, a report on the need for the Taliban government to acknowledge the potential loss of international aid and cash shipments next year, and focus on identifying alternative ways to support livelihoods: The evolving political landscapes and priorities of the United States and other donor nations may pose a threat to the ongoing […]
Read more »Evaluating the Taliban’s Economic Policies
September 13th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, a report on the Taliban government’s economic success: Any group or party in power, whether elected or forcibly self-installed, bears the responsibility of ensuring that citizens have access to sustainable income and the resources needed to maintain a decent standard of living. Fostering economic growth and facilitating the provision of essential resources […]
Read more »Nobody’s Backyard: A Confident Central Asia
September 7th, 2024
Via Carnegie, an article on how the decline of the United States’ influence in Eurasia and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have thrust the smaller nations of Central Asia into the global spotlight: Central Asia has faced seismic geopolitical shifts over the past few years. Major global crises—the deterioration of U.S. relations with China and ensuing […]
Read more »Taliban 2.0: Social Media In Afghanistan Today
September 3rd, 2024
Via EastWest Center, an article on the Taliban’s use of social media and its implications for Afghan youth: The resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan (here- after Taliban 2.0) following their takeover on Aug. 15, 2021, marked a significant turning point in the nation’s socio-political landscape (Akram et al., 2023). Amidst their two-decade-long resistance, the […]
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.