By Velina Tchakarova Much has been written and speculated over an emerging strategic alliance between Russia and China, which I gave the name ‘the Dragonbear’ in the geopolitics of the 21st century. Interpretations of the context of deepening bilateral relations range from very sceptic to very optimistic prognoses for the future. But what does the Dragonbear really aim to … Continue reading
By Ante Batovic A year after the beginning of the biggest oil price slump in a decade, it is worthwhile to assess the current state of affairs and estimate the costs both for the global economy and the political stability of oil exporting countries. The oil industry was caught unprepared by the sudden slump in oil … Continue reading
By Zachary Fillingham Supply-side downward price pressure has been the story of global energy prices over the past year: newfound supply from the Shale Revolution, OPEC’s gambit of market-share grabbing inundation, and new supply coming online from Iraq and soon Iran. The result was a plunge in oil prices from $115 in mid-June 2014 to below … Continue reading
A rout in emerging market (EM) stocks and currencies has deepened amid a series of devaluation events, oil prices at a six-year low and continuing to plunge amid a global glut, concerns about the U.S. Fed hiking interest rates, and growth concerns in China. Indeed, last week was a rough week for emerging markets: EM currencies … Continue reading
By Lisa Steyn The decline in the oil price has plunged Africa’s oil and gas industry into dire straits, a situation exacerbated by factors such as uncertain regulation, corruption and the prospect of political and social instability. It is a particular burden on those economies most reliant on the industry for revenue, and could have … Continue reading
By James Henderson The United States Geological Survey has estimated that the Arctic regions contain around 130 billion barrels of liquids and 47 trillion cubic metres of gas, equivalent to 22% of the world’s undiscovered hydrocarbon resources. It is hardly surprising then that all the countries whose coasts encircle the region, the US, Canada, Greenland, Norway … Continue reading
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the second-largest Arab economy and OPEC’s third largest oil producer, will hike unleaded gasoline prices by 24 percent in August as it becomes the first country in the oil-rich Persian Gulf to remove subsidies, the UAE’s official WAM news agency reported on Tuesday. Drivers in the UAE will now pay 2.14 dirhams per liter … Continue reading
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 Dr. Paul Craig Roberts Obama is being praised as a man of peace for the nuclear agreement with Iran. Some are asking if Obama will take the next step and repair US-Russian relations and bring the Ukrainian imbroglio to an end? If so he hasn’t told Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland or his … 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