Shaky Foundations for the BRICS Expansion Push
August 9th, 2023
Courtesy of The Diplomat, a report that – while China and Russia are keen to expand BRICS into a coalition to counter the U.S. – Brazil and India are reluctant: The 15th summit of the BRICS group (composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22-24 […]
Read more »Trans-Afghan Railway Project
August 6th, 2023
Via The Frontier Post, a report that Afghanistan has invited Russia and Kazakhstan to participate in constructing the Trans-Afghan railway project: Afghanistan invited Russia and Kazakhstan to participate in constructing the Trans-Afghan railway project. The acting minister of Commerce and Industry, Nooruddin Azizi, asked both countries to take part in a project to build a […]
Read more »Russia Tightens Central Asia Ties for Gas Sales, Dual-Use Supplies
August 4th, 2023
Courtesy of Nikkei Asia, an article on Russia’s recent gas deal with Uzbekistan as President Vladimir Putin’s government looks for new market opportunities and ways around sanctions: As Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on, the Kremlin is looking to Central Asia, a region it regards as its traditional backyard, to find new markets for its […]
Read more »BRICS: At Risk Becoming Satellites of China
July 27th, 2023
Courtesy of The Financial Times, commentary on the BRICS’ lopsided turn towards China: There can’t be many international summits where a head of government stays away for fear of being arrested for war crimes, but the BRICS grouping has managed it. Vladimir Putin will skip next month’s meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South […]
Read more »Why the U.S. is Losing Africa to China and Russia
July 22nd, 2023
Courtesy of Modern Diplomacy, commentary on why the U.S. is Losing Africa to China and Russia: The presence of Chinese in Africa has generated differing debates about the real reason they are there. Some have suggested that Africa is on the verge of re-colonization. The real reason the Chinese are in Africa may have yet […]
Read more »Maldives: Small Island Nation with Big Role Shipping Chips to Russia
July 20th, 2023
Courtesy of Nikkei Asia, a look at the Maldives’ role as a transit point for sanctions-evading shipments to Russia: Surrounded by azure waters and year-round sun, the Maldives is a popular destination for holidaymakers and honeymooners. But there is another side to this country of pristine islands and glamorous resorts. It is also a transit […]
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.