Baku, Yerevan, and Moscow Clash Over Regional Transit
January 27th, 2024
Via Jamestown Foundation, a report on Armenian-Azerbaijani discussions over regional transit corridors: Frustrations in Baku, Yerevan, and Moscow are growing over delays in Armenian-Azerbaijani peace negotiations, as key differences remain on unblocking regional transit corridors. Azerbaijan remains committed to opening the Zangezur Corridor, while the Kremlin calls for Russian border guards to oversee administration of […]
Read more »Phuket Booms As Wealthy Russians Seek A New Home
January 14th, 2024
Courtesy of Nikkei Asia, a report on a Russian-driven real estate boom in Phuket: “Phuket is a paradise and we welcome everyone who wants it for their second home,” declared Sophon Suwannarat, Phuket’s new governor. Dressed in fine Thai silk, he was guest of honor at the champagne-fueled launch party for Gardens of Eden in […]
Read more »Russia’s Longterm Bet on Africa Includes Free Russian Classes
January 5th, 2024
Courtesy of Semafor, a look at Russia’s longterm economic, cultural, and diplomatic bet on Africa: Russia has recruited hundreds of young Africans to its Russian language and cultural programs across the continent over the past year as the spearhead of a wider push by the Kremlin to use education to deepen its ties with everyday […]
Read more »Why the Middle Corridor Is a Double-Edged Sword
December 19th, 2023
Via The Diplomat, a report that Europe is pushing hard to advance the Middle Corridor, but other countries like China, Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan will almost certainly benefit from the infrastructure being built: In late November, the World Bank published an economic analysis on the potential of the Middle Corridor to develop over the next decade. The […]
Read more »How Russia’s Big Africa Ambitions Look On The Streets Of Niger
December 13th, 2023
Via WorldCrunch, a report on how – since the West has largely abandoned the fight against terror in the region – Russia’s hour in Africa seems to have come: On our way to meet the man singing Russia’s praises in Niger, a street seller knocks on the car window. He is holding a bunch of […]
Read more »Mali Signs Agreement With Russia To Build Gold Refinery
November 23rd, 2023
Via Reuters, a report on a new Russian agreement to invest in Mali: Mali’s military government said it has signed an agreement with Russia to build a gold refinery in the capital Bamako, one of a slew of deals between the two countries as Russia seeks to extend its regional influence. The accord, a non-binding […]
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.