Australia/Oceania

The war of words between European states and the Kremlin hots up, with the EU threatening to postpone talks on a long-term partnership with Russia unless Moscow withdraws its troops from Georgia. There are fears in Brussels that the Kremlin may use its energy weapon, cutting off or restricting supplies of gas. But, reports Colin Chapman, British Gas is well on the way to locating and developing alternatives. [more]

Though no conclusions can be drawn, events surrounding global air travel in the past five days have proven noteworthy. [more]

A rumor that Australia might impose a cap on foreign sovereign firms investing in local resource companies was meant for internal consumption only. [more]

The following are internal Stratfor documents produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. These documents are not forecasts, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]

Though food exporting countries are expecting a good harvest season, the continuing rise of fuel prices -- along with increasing demand -- will eventually push food prices higher. [more]

Chinese state-backed companies reportedly are seeking partners to help bid for a stake in the world's largest mining firm. [more]

Australia remains committed to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, but a capability gap still looms. [more]

The global trend of unrest over high food prices –- especially the price of grain –- has far-reaching implications. [more]

China announced its intention April 16 to increase state control over the way government-backed investment companies approach potential Australian acquisitions. [more]

Australia’s prime minister tells Chinese students, in Mandarin, of concerns over Tibet, repeats it to Premier Wen Jiabao, but gets no change….apart from a restarting of a free trade agreement and the promise of a dialogue on climate change. [more]

Rumors have emerged that China is about to purchase a large stake in Australia's BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company. The deal could end up helping the Australian firm realize its ambitions. [more]

East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta says he is considering resigning his post, indicating that Australia's plan to stengthen its hold on East Timor has started to take shape. [more]

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the world could expect to see "an increasingly activist Australian international policy" over the coming years. [more]

The China Peoples Congress opens with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao declaring inflation the major enemy. Colin Chapman examines whether the Chinese and other Asia-Pacific economies are now de-coupling from that of the United States. [more]

The Aluminum Corp. of China will consider bidding for a majority stake of the Rio Tinto Group. More than aluminum is at stake here. [more]

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says 'sorry' three times to the world's oldest people. The... [more]

East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were targeted in early-morning attacks Feb. 11. Rebel leader Alfredo Reinado, who led the attack against Ramos-Horta, was killed in the fighting. [more]

East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta was being flown to Darwin, Australia, to be treated for gunshot wounds following an assassination attempt. [more]

The London-based Rio Tinto mining company on Feb. 6 rejected a takeover bid launched by Australia's BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company. [more]

During Australia's first strategic dialogue with China on Feb. 5, Australia supported China's hard-line stance against Taiwanese independence. [more]