Other Voices

Russia in WTO: Expectations and Reality

Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been widely and comprehensively discussed in the national media. Experts and journalists expressed a number of doubts on the wisdom of Russia's decision to join the organisation, claiming that the move might have a negative impact on the country’s development.

Well, now that the accession has become a reality and the Russian WTO membership is already three months old, it is possible to analyze the first results of this partnership, which Moscow had been seeking for 18 years in a row.

Monday, November 12, 2012 - 09:28 By:  Oleg Smirnov, Business Mir
From Fracks to Riches

Despite all the hopes of sun and wind enthusiasts, the real revolution in the energy world has been driven by old-style fossil fuels, not by renewables. Shale gas changed power relations in the fossil fuel world, and its impact is going to affect economies and geopolitics. Unlike traditional natural gas, shale gas is not trapped in large reservoirs but in smaller rock formations that have to be penetrated through hydraulic "fracking." The drilling technology has been refined in the last twenty years and has allowed for extensive gas production in North America.

Friday, November 9, 2012 - 09:09 By:  Stefano Casertano, The European
The Caucasus Emirate Goes Global

For a decade almost all observers ignored, downplayed, and obfuscated an ugly truth about 'separatists' in Chechnya and the North Caucasus: they have long been a jihadist organization allied with Al Qa`ida (AQ), its affiliates, and the larger global jihadi revolutionary alliance AQ inspired.

Thursday, November 8, 2012 - 15:02 By:  Gordon M. Hahn, Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington
Shah Deniz Natural Gas: Key to the Southern Corridor

When will the Shah Deniz consortium take its Fina

Thursday, November 8, 2012 - 09:18 By:  Anthony Livanios, Natural Gas Europe
Bulgaria vetoes Macedonia's EU accession talks

Bulgaria has joined Greece in vetoing the opening of EU accession talks with Macedonia, despite a positive recommendation by the European Commission.

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 12:04 By:  Georgi Gotev, originally published by EurActiv
BP-Rosneft Deal: Implications & Intentions

Recent weeks have seen much news and analysis by Russian, UK and other commentators on the TNK-BP takeover, which will make the Russian listed company Rosneft one of the world’s biggest oil producers.

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 09:25 By:  Gulmira Rzayeva and Ilham Akbarov, Natural Gas Europe
The pace of financial sector reform

Chinese growth will continue to slow sharply for many years as a function of China's economic rebalancing.

Friday, November 2, 2012 - 08:45 By:  Michael Pettis
How To Handle Chinese Negotiating Tactics. Part Four Of Three.

This is part four of our three part series on how to negotiate with Chinese companies.  Yes, you read it right. Part four of three. How To Handle Chinese Negotiating Tactics, part one is here, part two is here, and part three is here.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - 09:29 By:  Dan Harris, China Law Blog

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What is Other Voices?

Other Voices is intended to provide our readers with material from other countries and other people. Stratfor does not endorse the ideas and may even disagree with them. We nevertheless find them interesting and believe our readers will too. These will appear occasionally on subjects both broad and narrow.

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