The Government of China promotes the internationalization of “the people’s currency” (‘renminbi’) through a policy of alliances that does not take ideological barriers into account. In a first moment the diplomatic forces of the yuan were concentrated in the Asia-Pacific, but in a second moment, it became necessary to gain the support of the West. … Continue reading
By James Parisot China’s rise has shaken up the global order. As East Asian governments, along with the United States, remain unable to develop a mutual security agreement over disputed islands, and the US pushes the Trans-Pacific Partnership to the exclusion of China as an alternative to the stagnating World Trade Organization, East Asia is riven … Continue reading
By Brendan Brown From reading the commentaries you might have imagined that the process of a currency winning international reserve status depends on getting the IMF seal of approval. At least that seems to be the story with China. So, strange to tell, the great international monies of the past evolved either before the IMF was … Continue reading
By Eugen von Böhm-Bawerk Over the decade of the long commodity boom made in China we have all been accustomed to the large and growing current account surpluses being recycled back into western financial security markets. Case in point, from 2000 to its peak in the fall of 2013 the Chinese added more than 2,000 per … Continue reading
By Andrew Korybko Russia is in the midst of a transformational geo-economic pivot, whereby its previous Western-prioritized economic relations are rapidly moving towards Asia. As part of this historic shift, Russia seeks to spearhead three North-South vectors of trade, with the subject of this article being the one directed towards ASEAN. The Asian Sea Arc, as … Continue reading
By Tony Cartalucci The complexity and history behind the current tensions in Asia Pacific are belied by simplistic narratives underpinned by superficial nationalism. China’s portrayal across the Western media as a regional “bully” versus its victims across Southeast Asia is dividing the general public down two sides of a predictable line. On one side are those … Continue reading
If Western nations continue to ignore the real problems of the Middle East region, or try to solve them militarily, versus using diplomacy and financial resources to support growth and job creation, the instability in the region will further deepen and will thus impact the global economy for “decades to come”, warns Noriel Roubini, a professor at … Continue reading
By Vijay Prashad On September 22, a seemingly nondescript meeting was held in Tehran, Iran: The Road Maintenance and Transportation Organisation (RMTO) held its first expert meeting for the Iran-India-Afghanistan Agreement on Transit and International Transportation Cooperation. Bureaucratic acronyms and legalistic language abounds. None of this seems – on the surface – to be greatly important. But this … Continue reading
By Pepe Escobar Let’s start with some classic Russian politics. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov is drawing up Russia’s economic strategy for 2016, including the government budget. Siluanov – essentially a liberal, in favor of foreign investment – will present his proposals to the Kremlin by the end of this month. So far, nothing spectacular. But then, … Continue reading
By EIA Russia is the world’s largest producer of crude oil (including lease condensate) and the second-largest producer of dry natural gas. Russia also produces significant amounts of coal. Russia’s economy is highly dependent on its hydrocarbons, and oil and natural gas revenues account for more than 50% of the federal budget revenues. Russia is … Continue reading