Via The New York Times, news that Gazprom signed a general trade agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation during a state visit by Russian officials. As the article notes: “…The deal calls for the supply of nearly 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas per year via two potential routes originating from Siberia. China has one […]
Read more »Via Bloomberg, a report that Turkmenistan’s willingness to ship natural gas to European partners if they build a pipeline across the Caspian Sea to transport fuel westward. As the article notes: “…We’ll be happy to work with European partners, should they choose to build a pipeline to our border,” Yagshigeldy Kakaev, director of state-run gas […]
Read more »Courtesy of Foreign Policy, an interesting report on Russian investment in Nicaragua and Venezuela, and some likely geopolitical quid pro quos. As the report notes: “…Nicaragua’s decision to legitimize Russia’s geopolitical adventures and recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was rather odd (I am still curious as to how many Nicaraguans were aware […]
Read more »Via The Oil Drum, an in-depth look at Turkmenistan’s natural gas reserves. As the report notes: “…Turkmenistan holds significantly large quantities of natural gas (they hold the world’s fourth largest reserves) and these have, over the years, proved attractive to Russia, China and the West. Until fairly recently, despite some bad relationships from time to […]
Read more »Via The Asia Times, a report on a recent meeting of Caspian states that could foreshadow the emergence of a new regional economic grouping. As the article notes: “…On September 11-13, the presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan will meet in the Kazakh city of Aktau, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The […]
Read more »Via Stratfor (subscription required), an interesting analysis of Mongolia’s regional status and the ongoing struggle between Russia and China to lure the resource-rich country closer into a closer relationship. As the article notes: “…Russia and Mongolia signed several agreements on Aug. 25 covering rail links and development, joint exploration and exploitation of Mongolian uranium deposits, […]
Read more »