Today’s Great Game: China, India, Iran and Pakistan Crowd Russia in Central Aisa
November 10th, 2011
Courtesy of James Brooke, an interesting look at the geopolitics of Central Asia: When I was in Dushanbe, India’s defense minister just happened to be in the neighborhood, and popped in for a visit. After the traditional bread and honey welcome ceremony at the airport, he met behind closed doors with Tajikistan’s defense minister and […]
Read more »Turkmenistan Slams Russian Attempt To Hinder Project To Build Gas Pipeline Supplying Europe
October 20th, 2011
Courtesy of The Washington Post, a report that energy-rich Turkmenistan lashed out recently at what it says is a Russian attempt to stymie the creation of a natural gas supply route to Europe. As the article notes: “…The Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it supports the European Union’s plans to broker negotiations […]
Read more »Could Russia pipe gas to Seoul via North Korea?
September 27th, 2011
Via The BBC, a report on the possibility of Russia piping gas to Seoul via North Korea. As the article notes: “…Looking at the map, it is a no-brainer. Less than 700km (435 miles) separate one of the world’s biggest energy producers and one of its neediest consumers. Russia sells natural gas; South Korea wants […]
Read more »Russia Uses Energy to Elicit Tajik Security Concessions
September 15th, 2011
Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), an interesting report on how Russia continues to use energy prices to pressure Tajikistan to become more compliant in security matters. As the article notes: “…Gas stations run by a Gazprom affiliate that operates in Tajikistan only have two to three days’ worth of high-octane fuel left, Asia-Plus reported Sept. […]
Read more »Pipeline Politics: Russia’s Nord Stream Blows Cold Air On Ukraine’s Negotiating Position
September 8th, 2011
Via STRATFOR (subscription required), thoughtful analysis on the impact that Russia’s now operational Nord Stream natural gas pipeline will have upon ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia over natural gas prices. As the article notes: Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuri Boyko stated Sept. 7 that Ukraine opposes a merger between its state energy […]
Read more »North Korea, Russia Benefit from Potential Natural Gas, Railway Deals
August 23rd, 2011
Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), an interesting report on North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s visit with Russian leaders where they will likely discuss a railway project and a natural gas pipeline project, which, if implemented, would give Russia greater influence in the Korean Peninsula while allowing North Korea to wean itself off Chinese influence. […]
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.