By Pieter Cleppe The latest 24 hours have seen a lot of movement on the possible reactivation of the Iran nuclear deal, dubbed JCPOA. Last week, the EU sent Iran the “final text” of a revived deal, aimed at restricing Iran’s nuclear programme, in exchange for relieving sanctions. In response to the events, the United […]
New Iran nuclear deal is not agreed yet Read More »
Writing for the Council on Foreign Relations, academic Michelle Gavin, a senior fellow for Africa Studies and the former United States Ambassador to Botswana, highlights Russia’s growing influence in Africa, writing: “Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s four-country Africa swing attracted a great deal of attention in Western media outlets, which framed his trip as a
Russian company Gazprom has announced that gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany would be reduced to only 20 percent of the capacity. This happens right after Siemens finally delivered transport documents for the Nord Stream turbine that had been stuck in Canada for weeks. Gazprom will now halt one more Nord
Gazprom announces gas supply reduction for Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany Read More »
This week, the EU and Azerbaijan agreed to strengthen the existing cooperation, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy, in a bid to secure alternative gas supplies for Europe. Both sides are also negotiating a new comprehensive agreement, to allow for enhanced cooperation in a wide range
EU and Azerbaijan agree to strengthen energy cooperation Read More »
Oil supply disruptions in Libya have escalated in past weeks, further increasing concern in Europe over its energy supply. This was due to protests, blockades and shutdowns at key oil infrastructure in the unstable country, as only 650,000 b/d in oil was pumped in June, which is the lowest level since October 2020 and meant
“Russia’s presence in Libya provides it with the strategic depth to squeeze Europe” Read More »
Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) was ordered last week by a Russian court to suspend its operations, citing environmental arguments, meaning that Kazakhstan annual supply of 67 million tons of oil through Russia to Europe is under threat. This was only two days after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told Council President Charles Michel his country is ready
Kazakhstan’s oil supply to the EU under threat? Read More »
The EU’s decision to only grant Georgia EU candidate status after addressing certain priorities, unlike Ukraine and Moldova, continues to make waves. Commenting to Stuttgarter Nachrichten, German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg states: “Denying Georgia accession status is a terrible sign and a big strategic mistake by the EU”, adding that there is a danger
Will the EU snubbing Georgia push it closer to Russia? Read More »
In order to deal with the energy crisis, the European Commission is looking at Egypt and Israel to increase import of natural gas. It is proposing this to EU member states in a memorandum of understanding. According to a draft obtained by Reuters, the Commission states: “The natural gas to be shipped to the European Union
EU looks at Israel and Egypt to reduce dependence on Russian energy Read More »
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s has been forced to cancel his trip to Serbia after countries around Serbia, notably Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro, closed their airspace to his aircraft. A senior Russian Foreign Ministry official stated that this caused the trip to be cancelled, commenting: “Our diplomacy has yet to master teleportation.” Following the
An analysis on Voice of America News notes that “Russia’s influence in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia is expected to decline as its overstretched military struggles in Ukraine and its economy suffers shocks from the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, according to experts.” The author, Asim Kashgarian, explains: “Russia
Is Russia losing its grip on Central Asia as a result of the sanctions? Read More »