The Hub: International Perspectives

Europe's Biggest Gas Supplier: No Bluffing

An interview with Professor Jonathan Stern, Chairman and Senior Research Fellow at Oxford's Institute for Energy Studies, on the reign of Russia as Europe's biggest supplier of natural gas, despite other sources of gas making their way onto the European market.

Monday, December 3, 2012 - 11:28 By: Natural Gas Europe

Cambodia Today

President Obama’s visit to Cambodia reminds me of harder, heartbreaking times.

Cambodia was the biggest challenge I have ever faced in nearly 30 years of government service, during which I have focused entirely and almost exclusively on what was once poetically known as Indochina.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 - 10:12 By: Lewis M. Stern

Russian-Bulgarian Energy Relations Near Melting Point

Future energy relations between Bulgaria and Russia could be decided on 15 November, the deadline for Bulgaria to sign a deal to build the South Stream gas pipeline across its territory. European officials say they are closely watching the developments but don’t see South Stream as a priority.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 - 09:11 By: EurActiv

The Perils of the Periphery

For the first time in many years, the most vulnerable flanks of the EU and NATO are internally weak, while also facing pressure from outside.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012 - 09:12 By: Oana Popescu, Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning

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