Energy Falls Further on Higher Oil Output
Amidst a declining currency and lower revenue from an oil glut, energy-exporter Russia continues to boost production.
Category: Global Challenges
Conspiracy Theories and the Price of Oil
The oil price drop that has dominated the headlines in recent weeks has been framed almost exclusively in terms of oil market economics, with most media outlets blaming Saudi Arabia, through its OPEC Trojan horse, for driving down the price, thus causing serious damage to the world’s major oil exporters – most notably Russia.
While the market explanation is partially true, it is simplistic, and fails to address key geopolitical pressure points in the Middle East.
China’s Coast Guard – Smooth Sailing or Rough Seas for its Neighbors?
The establishment of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in 2013 created a huge stir. Neighbouring countries may see the CCG as a major instrument for China to reconfigure maritime power structure in the region.
Russia, Juncker’s Investment Scheme and Greece
Russia’s woes have not been sufficient to spur a change in behavior from Putin. His press conference today was strident, blaming the US and EU for undermining Russia. He blames foreign influences driving down the rouble. The EU will impose new ban on doing business in Crimea. It will also target Russian companies’ oil and gas exploration in the Black Sea. The US Congress has authorized Obama to extend sanctions against Russia as well.
Data Show an Alarming Drop in Highly Skilled Immigrants to the U.S.
The United States has always been known as a nation of immigrants and a top destination for scientists and other highly skilled professionals. That ability to attract the world’s most educated and innovative people to its shores has often been credited with powering the US economy.
Japan’s ‘Comfort Women’ Debate Casts a Long Shadow
The Japanese media has been set alight by the debate on Japan’s use of ‘comfort women’ — a euphemism referring to the women used for sex by the Japanese Army in World War II. The furore began in August when Asahi Shimbun, Japan’s premier liberal newspaper, admitted that a source used in a number of articles it published on comfort women had fabricated his story. That source was Seiji Yoshida, a soldier who claimed to have been involved in the capture of 200 women in South Korea during the war.
Will the Lima Conference Break the Climate Change Stalemate?
For quarter of a century, global climate change talks have suffered from a stalemate between major advanced nations and large emerging economies. Since Lima’s climate conference could not resolve it, it deferred the divide to Paris 2015.
Recently, world’s leading nations gathered in Lima, Peru, for the 2014 U.N. Climate talks. The procedural objective was to develop the foundation for a new climate agreement that could be signed in Paris in December 2015 and that would take effect by the 2020s.
Global Challenges are Mounting as Oil Continues to Slip
The US dollar is trading within yesterday’s ranges against the major currencies. The Canadian dollar is the main exception. It is pushing lower still, with the greenback pushing a little beyond CAD1.1550. The main development today is the continued drop in oil prices.
Global Markets Rattled by Greek Crisis, China Credit Tightening
Global investors panicked Tuesday after Greek stocks fell over 10% and China signaled a tightening of its credit market amidst fears of growing defaults and oversized risk in local bonds.
While Brazil, Greece, and China saw a bearish market on greater concerns about emerging market growth, U.S. stocks reversed from an early morning decline as greater confidence in American stability overtook concerns about a global slowdown.
Complicated Geopolitics Challenge an Asian FTA
The fifth round of the China–Japan–South Korea Free Trade Agreement (CJK FTA) negotiations concluded in Beijing on 5 September. The three countries hope the negotiations will finish in 2015, but this partly depends on the progress of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
