The Evolving Pipeline Politics In Central Asia
January 5th, 2010
Courtesy of The Japan Times, an interesting article on the evolving pipeline politics of Central Asia. As the report notes: “…The opening early last month of a new Central Asia-China gas pipeline is the latest demonstration of Beijing’s growing influence over the natural resources of the region. China’s voracious appetite for energy resources has led […]
Read more »Central Asian Energy
December 5th, 2009
Courtesy of Stratfor (subscription required and recommended), a terrific two-part analysis of Uzbekistan withdrew from Central Asia’s Unified Power System, a synchronized electric grid linking Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The move is part of a series of disputes between Central Asia’s five countries. The region’s geography and distribution of resources is likely to make […]
Read more »Reshaping The Caspian Bloc?
September 14th, 2009
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 »Turkey: A Geopolitical Pivot In Central Asia
April 17th, 2009
Via The Center for Research on Globalization, interesting analysis of Turkey’s role & increased significance in the years ahead: “…If Ankara decides to collaborate more closely with Russia, Georgia’s position is precarious and Azerbaijan’s natural gas pipeline route to Europe, the so-called Nabucco Pipeline, is blocked. If it cooperates with the United States and manages to […]
Read more »The Great Game (Over?): China’s Interest in Caspian Energy Reserves
April 17th, 2009
Via The Asia Times, an interesting summary of China’s keen interest in Central Asia’s energy resources and its efforts to take advantage of the global downturn to lock in such. As the article notes: “…may lead to a marked shift of fortune in the Great Game for control of Caspian energy reserves. On the surface, […]
Read more »Shift In Central Asia?
April 17th, 2009
Via Stratfor (subscription required), interesting analysis of the shifting dynamics in Central Asia as the global financial crisis and declining energy prices have shifted Central Asian regional leader Kazakhstan to an inward focus, and offered Uzbekistan an opportunity to reassert its historic role as regional leader. As the article notes: “…Central Asia had remained stagnant […]
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.