The Geopolitics of the Wakhan Corridor
December 13th, 2019
Via Harvard International Review, an article on the Wakhan Corridor: Afghanistan is the very definition of a geopolitical pivot. Long called the “Graveyard of Empires,” the country still lures larger powers keen on exerting influence in Central Asia, and the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land protruding out of Afghanistan like the handle of […]
Read more »Balochistan: A New Center of Attention:
October 23rd, 2019
Via the Middle East Institute, commentary on the position and potential of Balochistan: For the millions of Americans watching the 2018 New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square, a curious sign could be seen flashing in bright yellow throughout the night that referred to a place and a situation very few had ever heard of: “#Free Balochistan […]
Read more »Pakistan Strives to Switch to Natural Gas
October 3rd, 2019
Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), a report on Pakistan’s desire to switch to natural gas for its main energy fuel: HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan will continue to shift its economy from oil to natural gas, a cleaner and less expensive option. The government’s wide-ranging campaign against graft, and other problems like debt and energy bottlenecks, will likely […]
Read more »Pakistan Struggles To Capitalize On A Golden Opportunity In Balochistan
August 8th, 2019
Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), a detailed look at Blochistan: Until Pakistan and the Tethyan Copper Co. settle their dispute, development of the country’s Reko Diq gold and copper mine will languish, leaving a potentially abundant revenue stream dry. Growing foreign investment in the sector will heighten the need for an effective dispute resolution mechanism. Unless […]
Read more »Gwadar vs. Chabahar: Competing Ports in Iran and Pakistan Fuel Ambition and Mistrust
June 12th, 2019
Courtesy of STATFOR (subscription required), a detailed look at Gwadar and Chabahar: China’s expansion across South Asia and the Indian Ocean under its Belt and Road Initiative will drive India’s own regional outreach, heightening the importance of New Delhi’s infrastructure projects such as the Chabahar port in Iran. However, the threat of U.S. sanctions and […]
Read more »Pakistani Army Moves Into The Oil Business
March 8th, 2019
Via The Asia Times, a look at the Pakistani Army’s $100 billion commercial empire covers industries including banking, cement and real estate: The business conglomerate that is the Pakistani Army, which has fingers in multiple pies across the business spectrum, has now moved into the oil business. Recent growth of businesses controlled by the powerful […]
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.