Author: M Barbu

The Gulf states: Beneficiaries of the Russia-Europe energy war?

The Gulf states are often overlooked as indirect beneficiaries of the Russia-Europe energy war. In what ways and to what extent have they leveraged it? Are these benefits sustainable?

The current energy war between Russia and Europe predated, but was markedly intensified by, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The protagonists are deploying a range of energy weapons aimed at increasing the costs of escalation or remaining in Ukraine (for Russia) as well as of defying Russia’s actions in Ukraine (for Europe). These have upended global energy trade flows and increased energy prices in 2022 relative to the past several years; they have also impacted a wider range of non-energy goods and services as well as diplomatic ties.

Eastern Mediterranean gas discoveries, progress, and what to watch in 2023

The challenge of developing export strategies for the offshore natural gas resources concentrated in the Eastern Mediterranean predates the Russo-Ukrainian war, which exploded in full fury in late February of last year. Yet over the course of 2022, Europe’s intensifying energy crisis created a new and more immediate incentive to solve those export challenges, despite a great deal of work still to be done.

Orientalism Lives: The Assault on the State of Qatar

December 18 marked the end of the 2022 World Cup. The date, which coincided with Qatar’s national holiday was fitting to celebrate an event seen as the pinnacle of Qatar’s impressive economic development and growth strategy. Much of this economic development is credited to the visionary leadership of two men: current emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his father and predecessor, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. By having the end of the World Cup fall on the country’s National Day, Qatar intended to showcase the Al Thani family’s accomplishments on the global stage.

The Iran protests and US policy on Tehran’s nuclear program

The recent execution of a British-Iranian dual national on espionage charges on Jan. 14 was strongly condemned by the U.K., the U.S., and the European Union. It came just a week after the hanging of two Iranian protesters, which was similarly condemned by the U.S., the EU, and several European countries.

Turkish-Syrian Re-engagement: Drivers, Limitations, and US Policy Implications

A little over two weeks ago, the defense and intelligence chiefs of Turkey and Syria met face-to-face in the Russian capital Moscow — the first such meeting in over a decade. In the wake of the Russian-sponsored summit, which was described by participants as “constructive,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a follow-up call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed visited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. As global media attention intensified around what some called “a clear sign of normalization,” speculation then emerged claiming plans were afoot for the Syrian and Turkish foreign ministers to meet in mid-January to pave the way for an Erdoğan-Assad meeting, either in Russia or the UAE.

Rise of New Centres of Power in Eurasia: Implications for Turkish Foreign Policy

The emergence of new centres of power in Eurasia has entailed a re-reading of Zbigniew Brzezinski’s book which drew an analogy between the Eurasian supercontinent and a grand chessboard. Following the global financial crisis of the last few years, countries like China, Russia and India have started to project greater global political and economic influence.

Accélération de la chute de l’empire (des États-Uniens)

Un monde fragmenté ?
Ce concept stupide et ne reflétant aucune réalité c’est selon… l’unique point de vue des USA. Sa non-pensée répétitive effacerait toutes les autres pensées, celles du vaste monde. Mais « effacées » que sur les médias vendus seulement, médias aussi relayés sur internet. Et pas dans le concret de la vraie vie… Pendant ce temps, la nouveauté devient que tous les rouages de cette foutaise seront démontés. Et certains nous feront même revenir aux rires frais, spontanés et libérateurs.

Après la fin de l’Ukraine, beaucoup d’Européens ont mal au cœur

Avant-propos : L’attente froide
L’Europe du Nord, jusqu’au nord de l’Italie, est actuellement en proie à une vague de froid glacial (sans doute le résultat du réchauffement climatique). En conséquence, les observateurs s’attendent à ce que l’offensive hivernale russe en Ukraine commence d’autant plus tôt, mais personne ne sait quand. Ce mois-ci ou le mois prochain ? Peut-être une entrée spectaculaire de la Biélorussie, coupant les approvisionnements de l’OTAN ? Personne ne le sait. Pour l’instant, les forces alliées se contentent d’écraser sur place les conscrits et les mercenaires du régime de Kiev, sous-approvisionnés et frigorifiés, en espérant qu’ils se rendront peut-être en masse, malgré les armes du régime dans leur dos. Les conditions sont telles que cela pourrait se produire avec très peu de pertes russes. Il n’y a pas urgence. Plus de 500 000 soldats alliés et 500 chars d’assaut en tenue de camouflage hivernal attendent le moment d’intervenir et de dénazifier l’Ukraine. Ils attendront le bon moment.

Réponse au général Yakovleff

Analyse et réponse ironique á l’interview du général Yakovleff sur Air et cosmos

Comme le disait Sun Tzu : « Qui connaît l’autre et se connaît, en cent combats ne sera point défait ; qui ne connaît l’autre mais se connaît, sera vainqueur une fois sur deux ; qui ne connaît pas plus l’autre qu’il ne se connaît sera toujours défait. » (chapitre 3)