Border between Morocco and Algeria temporarily opens to aid Gaza
Taliban agrees to ceasefire in Pakistan province
France promises millions in economic aid to its Caribbean territories in order to stop violent protests and social unrest
Tamil Tigers attack by aircraft, killing 2 and injuring 50
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants to see a stronger US-China relationship
No end in sight for Zimbabwe's strife: Bennett still jailed and refusing amnesty while the cholera epidemic worsens
Netanyahu to form Israel's next government
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
How Far is China Willing to Go to Ensure its "Energy Security?"
China’s increasing appetite for foreign oil to fuel its rapid economic growth has prompted concern from external observers on the subversive potential of China’s bilateral equity oil agreements to established international norms of state or corporate-led oil procurement. It is claimed - especially from a U.S. policy perspective - that China’s modus operandi of establishing bilateral equity oil agreements with states widely considered unscrupulous by the international community (Sudan and Iran come to mind) is a clear indication of Beijing’s economically aggressive and norms-ignoring approach toward international politics.
But what critics of “Beijing’s equity oil policy” fail to realize is that China’s current “going abroad” policy originated from a market-based profit motives on the part of Chinese National Oil Companies (NOCs) during the late 1980s, as these firms (CNPC, Sinopec, and CNOOC) sought to maintain their continued profitability and enhance their international competitiveness by staking out oil reserves abroad. Surprisingly, the Chinese government did not initially support such an equity oil policy – but as the idea that equity oil agreements enhanced China’s energy security began to take root in academic and political circles, the state’s interest in supporting equity oil imports increased. The relation between equity oil and energy security thus began as an “accidental discovery" – not as one of Beijing’s strongly advocated security prerogatives.
The role of China’s NOCs as the originators of China’s current equity oil policy, when combined with the astounding influence exerted by these powerful oil conglomerates within China’s energy policy-making process, suggests that Beijing does not have as much control over the making of China’s equity oil policy to the degree that its critics have asserted. It remains to be seen whether arguments for continuing China's bilateral equity oil agreements in the name of energy security (and the continued profitability of China's NOCs) will continue to override international outrage and domestic skepticism about Beijing's diplomatic tact on this issue.
But what critics of “Beijing’s equity oil policy” fail to realize is that China’s current “going abroad” policy originated from a market-based profit motives on the part of Chinese National Oil Companies (NOCs) during the late 1980s, as these firms (CNPC, Sinopec, and CNOOC) sought to maintain their continued profitability and enhance their international competitiveness by staking out oil reserves abroad. Surprisingly, the Chinese government did not initially support such an equity oil policy – but as the idea that equity oil agreements enhanced China’s energy security began to take root in academic and political circles, the state’s interest in supporting equity oil imports increased. The relation between equity oil and energy security thus began as an “accidental discovery" – not as one of Beijing’s strongly advocated security prerogatives.
The role of China’s NOCs as the originators of China’s current equity oil policy, when combined with the astounding influence exerted by these powerful oil conglomerates within China’s energy policy-making process, suggests that Beijing does not have as much control over the making of China’s equity oil policy to the degree that its critics have asserted. It remains to be seen whether arguments for continuing China's bilateral equity oil agreements in the name of energy security (and the continued profitability of China's NOCs) will continue to override international outrage and domestic skepticism about Beijing's diplomatic tact on this issue.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Daily Update - Your World in Financial Crisis
The bigger they are, the harder they fall: Foreign Policy magazine makes it clear that Russia's heavy-handed foreign and domestic policies are proving disastrous for the nation throughout the financial crisis
Obama journeys north of the border to Canada to provide U.S. assurances on trade
Indonesia seeks currency swap deal with U.S., Japan, China, and South Korea to bolster its devaluing rupiah
Cocaine prices fall - Another indication of the global financial crisis? Not really: Drug smugglers are opening new smuggling routes to Europe through weak West African and Balkan states
Speaking of the narcotics trade, Ecuador expels second U.S. diplomat in spat over counter-narcotics training program
Also, Mexico's drug cartels now organize protests against the presence of government troops in Mexican border towns - protesters are offered food and money to block off border crossings
Slovenia and Croatia enter diplomatic contention - and a bit of "facebook war" - over border disagreement, putting Croatia's EU membership at risk
Real war will continue in Afghanistan, as U.S. Commander says 60,000 troops will be needed in Afghanistan during "tough" year of 2009
Obama journeys north of the border to Canada to provide U.S. assurances on trade
Indonesia seeks currency swap deal with U.S., Japan, China, and South Korea to bolster its devaluing rupiah
Cocaine prices fall - Another indication of the global financial crisis? Not really: Drug smugglers are opening new smuggling routes to Europe through weak West African and Balkan states
Speaking of the narcotics trade, Ecuador expels second U.S. diplomat in spat over counter-narcotics training program
Also, Mexico's drug cartels now organize protests against the presence of government troops in Mexican border towns - protesters are offered food and money to block off border crossings
Slovenia and Croatia enter diplomatic contention - and a bit of "facebook war" - over border disagreement, putting Croatia's EU membership at risk
Real war will continue in Afghanistan, as U.S. Commander says 60,000 troops will be needed in Afghanistan during "tough" year of 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Today begins the first trial of the former Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. After some thirty years the first trial is under way with Comrade Duch, as he is known, in the defendant's chair. Though evidently an important watershed moment for the Cambodian people in coming to grips with a traumatic past it still begs the question of whether, as Dr. Martin Luther King once said, justice delayed is really justice denied.
In response to recent tough talk by North Korea Secretary of State Clinton issues a warning. The trip is also notable in that it is the first time in some forty years a Secretary of State has made his or her first overseas trip to Asia rather than Europe.
Things could hardly be worse in Japan. The Finance Minister has resigned after appearing to drunk at a news conference at a G-7 conference. Now new economic data is out that Japan's export dependent economy is shrinking so fast it's suffering from whiplash. As goes Japan so goes the world?
From the land of false dawns comes another potential heartbreaker. After Qatari brokered talks the main rebel group in Darfur has signed an accord with the Sudanese government. Whether this will end the residual but noteworthy violence in the region is about as certain as the outcome of Israel's recent election. If we're looking for false dawns in the region look no further than the UN-AU peacekeeping force. Authorized a year ago and at half the strength a year later. The international community has let Darfur down to a large extent. Is it realistic to hope its own leaders can chart a different course?
In response to recent tough talk by North Korea Secretary of State Clinton issues a warning. The trip is also notable in that it is the first time in some forty years a Secretary of State has made his or her first overseas trip to Asia rather than Europe.
Things could hardly be worse in Japan. The Finance Minister has resigned after appearing to drunk at a news conference at a G-7 conference. Now new economic data is out that Japan's export dependent economy is shrinking so fast it's suffering from whiplash. As goes Japan so goes the world?
From the land of false dawns comes another potential heartbreaker. After Qatari brokered talks the main rebel group in Darfur has signed an accord with the Sudanese government. Whether this will end the residual but noteworthy violence in the region is about as certain as the outcome of Israel's recent election. If we're looking for false dawns in the region look no further than the UN-AU peacekeeping force. Authorized a year ago and at half the strength a year later. The international community has let Darfur down to a large extent. Is it realistic to hope its own leaders can chart a different course?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Daily Update
Peace may finally be on its way to Darfur after Sudan and the region's most active rebel group reach tentative agreement
Venezuelan President Chavez wins and limits to term removed, allowing him to continue his rule indefinitely
Four of Russia's regional governors are replaced by President Medvedev due to concerns about social unrest
Bosnia, along with other Balkan states, faces many obstacles that prevent it from a secure future as a potential EU member state
China worries about possibly damaging protectionist actions
British and French submarines collide in Atlantic
Japan's economy enters an even deeper slump
Islamic law to be component of peace deal between Pakistan and Taliban-linked group
Venezuelan President Chavez wins and limits to term removed, allowing him to continue his rule indefinitely
Four of Russia's regional governors are replaced by President Medvedev due to concerns about social unrest
Bosnia, along with other Balkan states, faces many obstacles that prevent it from a secure future as a potential EU member state
China worries about possibly damaging protectionist actions
British and French submarines collide in Atlantic
Japan's economy enters an even deeper slump
Islamic law to be component of peace deal between Pakistan and Taliban-linked group
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Daily Update
Venezuela votes on whether or not Chavez will continue to serve as president
Sri Lanka grapples with what to do with displaced Tamil refugees
Israel refuses to agree to Gaza ceasefire until captured soldier is released
Rebuilding Haiti: More difficult than the UN thought
US heading towards a more favorable relationship with Russia
Treason charges against Zimbabwean opposition politician have been dropped, and replaced with new charge of conspiring to acquire arms with a view to disrupting essential service. The road ahead will surely be anything but smooth.
Bolivians question whether or not country is better off under indigenous President Morales
An economic stimulus plan is approved in Australia, despite having been blocked during an earlier vote.
Sri Lanka grapples with what to do with displaced Tamil refugees
Israel refuses to agree to Gaza ceasefire until captured soldier is released
Rebuilding Haiti: More difficult than the UN thought
US heading towards a more favorable relationship with Russia
Treason charges against Zimbabwean opposition politician have been dropped, and replaced with new charge of conspiring to acquire arms with a view to disrupting essential service. The road ahead will surely be anything but smooth.
Bolivians question whether or not country is better off under indigenous President Morales
An economic stimulus plan is approved in Australia, despite having been blocked during an earlier vote.
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