Via StraightGoods.ca, an interesting look at the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (TAPI) pipeline project in Central Asia, from a Canadian perspective: “…The TAPI pipeline project has long been the elephant in the closet, quietly supported by Western powers. Countries expect to sign formal agreements in December, with construction to be completed by 2014 — […]
Read more »Via The Financial Times, a look at the resource race in Afghanistan which pits India against China. As the report notes: “…Unlikely as it may seem, war-torn Aghanistan is emerging as a battlefield in a quite different sort of conflict – the fight over natural resources between China and India. The poverty-stricken country is said […]
Read more »Courtesy of The New York Times, an interesting look at China Metallurgical Group Corporation’s progress in developing its copper deposits in Afghanistan. As the article notes: “…Behind an electrified fence, blast-resistant sandbags and 53 National Police outposts, the Afghan surge is well under way. But the foot soldiers in a bowl-shaped valley about 20 miles […]
Read more »Courtesy of The New York Times, an interesting look at Afghanistan’s mining development and mineral potential. As the article notes: “…Afghanistan’s mining ministry, emboldened by its first copper tender and undeterred by escalating violence, is inviting more bids in hopes the industry can eventually drive economic growth and help bring security. …Yet it also has […]
Read more »Via Stratfor (subscription required), interesting analysis of the shifting dynamics in Central Asia as the global financial crisis and declining energy prices have shifted Central Asian regional leader Kazakhstan to an inward focus, and offered Uzbekistan an opportunity to reassert its historic role as regional leader. As the article notes: “…Central Asia had remained stagnant […]
Read more »Via Seeking Alpha, an interesting post which is centered on a review of a book entitled The New Great Game. However, I am noting it here as it provides a nice summary of issues related to the Caspian (with handy maps, no less). As the article notes “…The investigative journalist delves deeply into the geopolitical […]
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