Tag "Russia"
Russia is gradually developing its Arctic LNG strategy
Due to its geographic location, natural resource extraction in the Arctic circle is strategically important for Russia’s overall energy strategy. At the same time, Russia is gradually shifting away from the traditional state-controlled gas trade through pipelines and is increasing its LNG production.
How the US lost the (dis)information war
It was a war that America apparently didn’t even know was being waged – until the 2016 elections turned out to be the front line. Now the U.S. is scrambling to catch up with Russian infowar capabilities. But how did it get left so far behind?
India’s Bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group
Becoming a member of the exclusive Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) would be a major coup Modi as his government heads into general elections in 2019. While most of 48 members have endorsed the Indian bid, China continues to veto India’s ability to join the Group by stating it is not an Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory.
Putin’s Middle East gamble
Since 2015 Russia has used the Syrian civil conflict as a platform to gain power within the Middle East. Engaging militarily and economically with the region, Russia has renewed its place in the global power structure and has invested in securing a share of the Middle East’s energy wealth.
Climate Change: Heating up Arctic competition
Melting sea ice is revitalizing the Arctic’s geopolitical importance. Russia is proactively developing the area with the help of the Chinese government and has more bases than any other nation. Western states are looking to respond and economic competition has already begun, further militarization is likely to follow suit.
The threat to Russia from Islamic State returnees
The threat posed by Russian speaking fighters who travelled to fight under the Islamic State in Syria presents a complicated problem for both Russia and its allies to address. Just like its Western counterparts, Russia is worried that these returnees will mount deadly attacks on the country’s soil.
The Orthodox schism: religion as a political instrument
On 15th October, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had severed ties to the Patriarchate of Constantinople after the Patriarch declared that he would grant the Ukrainian Orthodox Church autocephaly, meaning independence from the Russian Church. Until this declaration, the only Orthodox Church in Ukraine that was officially recognized by other Patriarchates was administered from Moscow. While this may seem at first glance to be primarily a religious matter, it is in fact deeply political in nature.
Europe looks towards Russia in response to US foreign policy
President Trump’s use of economic sanctions as foreign policy has led European countries, especially Germany and France, to consider following in Russia’s footsteps. This includes setting up financial institutions beyond American influence to safeguard their interests.
India and Russia: Triumf or sanctions?
New Delhi and Moscow recently concluded a USD 5 billion deal for military equipment. GRI’s Malvika Singh analyses the importance of the deal to India, and the likelihood of American sanctions.
The Energy Briefing: Will US gas exports to Europe surge?
As US LNG exports have increased, policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic have viewed them as a way to decrease Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas. However, their ultimate success will be determined by market dynamics. At the moment, these dynamics generally favor Gazprom’s continued dominance.
