... two key disciplines in social sciences: “just as contemporary political scientists characteristically undermine the importance of markets, so contemporary economists usually set to one side political phenomena”. As my thesis was based on energy, I also found the book by Kuzemko et al (2011: VIII, 3) very useful, it defined the issue I have faced well by saying that most have “consistently conceptualize energy either as commodity to be traded or a resource to be projected politically ...
Interview with Arnaud Dubien
Interview
France and Russia boast a truly long history of economic relations. Paris is one of Moscow’s ten largest trade partners, with turnover steadily growing even during the height of the global economic crisis. However, some experts insist that trade and economic relations between the two countries are on the decline. The prospects of bilateral economic ties became the topic of discussion with
Arnaud Dubien
, head of the French-Russian think tank Observo...
... terrorism. These are important areas, of course, but geopolitical events elsewhere suggest that matters of greater long-term international importance are afoot; in particular because of, first, extended global economic stagnation; second, increasing energy insecurity; and, third, early climate change impacts. It would be unwise to forecast trajectories in any of these three areas, but, nevertheless, parallel events could develop that had concerning consequences for international security in general,...
... was a complicated and mendacious scheme, a throwback to the old school statism of populist leader General Juan Peron. Old school Peronists called such actions the work of a vendepatria, one who sells out the national patrimony. It involved the Spanish energy firm Repsol, and the ultimate betrayal of one of Argentina’s most influential business families who were the largest financial supporters of President Cristina Kirchner and her late husband President Nestor Kirchner who held the office from ...
... wintertime in order to send it to the irrigation canals of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan in summer. As a result,
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan could not use the water for power generation in winter
, and the downstream countries supplied them with energy in exchange. The scheme is still operating, but growing hydrocarbon prices limit the upstream states' desire to purchase power, rather than using the water for their own energy production.
For Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, where winters are cold, ...
... ribbons for their dusty bicycles, on the other side, people are busily exchanging their iconic means of transportation for new cars. As this shift is occurring, under the breeze of economic prosperity across Asia, South America and even Africa, the global energy balance is tipping, particularly as the new economic frontiers are moving at unprecedented pace. LUKoil's 2025 report focuses on these shifts with regards to demographics, motorization, OPEC policy and rapid changes in exploration and production ...
... contrast to the economically and politically stagnating West. However, for Russia, this re-emergence plays an exceptional role which stirs much uncertainty and mistrust, as once this giant wipes of the rheum around its eyes and springs back full of energy, its only natural room to manoeuvre seems northwards. Even if the world does not tremble, Russia fears that at the least Eurasia will shake. As promised, this is the second post in this special series and once again I am joined by the Head of Oil ...
Euro-Russian relations have strained over the recent years in energy matters as certain vested interests shifted perceptions into the realm of what I would express as logical fallacies – technically making sense to a degree, but only when numerous caveats are applied. In this post issues like energy weaponry ...
... system. More specifically, Moscow lacks a clear strategic direction, as the ruling regime is increasingly divided between an official commitment to economic modernisation, on the one hand, and authoritarian consolidation, on the other hand.
Energy Calamity
It is argued by some that the Russo-European relationship has soured creating an anti-Russian stance. Has this occurred due to European attempts to lower gas import prices, or more serious underlining issues? Europe’s potential ...
... perhaps one of the biggest challenges in the upcoming decade as its economy is overly dependent upon natural wealth, but our main European market is quickly becoming less accessible raising the question: where to go? Aside, long-term diversification from energy export dependence, Russia has a relatively shorter-term option: to expand into Asia, but this option is far from easy and requires tricky manoeuvres.
Personal Note: I should have uploaded this particular post on RIAC from the start to make ...
