By Pepe Escobar You may have heard of the N-11. Yes, it’s another clever Goldman Sachs concoction, to the benefit of that prized specimen – the “global investor”. These are the next BRICS, the new emerging powers. The N-11 is made up of: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam. Some … Continue reading
By Stratfor Global Intelligence Iran will offer joint venture contracts to attract international energy companies, which will give the country some advantage over Persian Gulf producers. Tehran will need more than five years to achieve its goal of producing 6 million barrels per day. Legal requirements imposed on foreign firms in Iran will still make operating in … Continue reading
Pakistan is hoping to benefit from a historic nuclear deal that Iran and six major world powers (P5+1) reached on Tuesday, following over a decade of negotiations with an agreement that could transform the Middle East. Pakistan has been struggling with an energy crisis as rolling blackouts for several hours a day are common in its urban and rural areas … Continue reading
By Pepe Escobar, Asia Times This is it. It is indeed historic. And diplomacy eventually wins. In terms of the New Great Game in Eurasia, and the ongoing tectonic shifts reorganizing Eurasia, this is huge: Iran — supported by Russia and China — has finally, successfully, called the long, winding 12-year-long Atlanticist bluff on its “nuclear … Continue reading
Iran and Indonesia have agreed to build 48 small-scale hydroelectric power plants as the two nations look to improve ties that have been hindered by sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program. The hydroelectric power plants will be constructed in Indonesia by Iranian companies over the next five years, Iran’s Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian said following a conference with Indonesia’s Economy … Continue reading
By Petr Lvov Now that the initial wave of disputes over the major overhaul of Saudi government that occurred on April 29 settled down, one can take a closer look at what these changes can actually mean for the future of the region. As you must already know, early in the morning on April 29 Saudi … Continue reading
By Pepe Escobar, Sputnik News Whatever happens with the nuclear negotiations this summer, and as much as Tehran wants cooperation and not confrontation, Iran is bound to remain — alongside Russia — a key US geostrategic target. As much as US President Barack Obama tried to dismiss it, the Russian sale of the S-300 missile system to Iran is a … Continue reading
China is set to finalize investment deals worth $46 billion with its old ally of Pakistan during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rare visit to the nation on Monday. The visit by Xi is aimed at ending Pakistan’s chronic energy crisis and to transform the nation into a regional economic hub. The two nations are looking to establish a Pakistan-China … Continue reading
By Saibal Dasgupta China is trying to connect more than 20 countries along the ancient Silk Road under a grandiose program christened “One Belt, One Road.” But the more than $140 billion program is facing challenges in many places over wars, territorial disputes and domestic unrest. The plan involves expanding China’s economic influence by establishing two … Continue reading
By Sajjad Ashraf Stung by his complete failure to muster the parliamentary support needed to join in a Saudi-led intervention in Yemen’s civil war, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is now counting the costs of his $1.5 billion folly. Sharif was put on the spot when the official Saudi news agency released a statement, after … Continue reading