Russia’s economic weakness lies in its dependency on natural gas, which represents nearly 60 percent of its exports. This dependency, which led Senator John McCain to describe Russia as “a gas station masquerading as a country,” should make economic … [Read more...] about Russia: The Geopolitics of Natural Gas
Russia and East Europe
“Czechoslovakia” or “Finland”
All historical analogies are odious, some dead white man – probably a Frenchman – has said. Obviously, he meant that times change, the cast changes, the nuances change, the world moves on, and no geopolitical situation really replicates an earlier … [Read more...] about “Czechoslovakia” or “Finland”
Weekly Briefing, April 12-18, 2014
From ACD Blaming the Jews. Again -- Rachel Ehrenfeld -- Blaming the Jews, is a tradition in the borderlands of East Europe, where numerous governments and insurgency groups felt free to “use the Jews,” as the saying goes, blame them for … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing, April 12-18, 2014
Blaming the Jews. Again.
Blaming the Jews is a tradition in the borderlands of East Europe, where numerous governments and insurgency groups felt free to "use the Jews," as the saying goes, blame them for whatever real or often trumped-up economic or other problem they … [Read more...] about Blaming the Jews. Again.
Misreading Russia
Andrei Zubov, a well-respected Russian historian at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, was recently fired because of an op/ed that aptly compared Putin's annexation of Crimea to Hitler's annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland … [Read more...] about Misreading Russia
Qatar: Small Nation, Large Schemes
One could wager that these days few recall the works of Bismarck, Mahan, Haushofer, or the once puissant geopolitical theories of the Rimland and Heartland. And more recently, one wonders if even the study and evaluation of Realpolitik is anathema in … [Read more...] about Qatar: Small Nation, Large Schemes
The Cool War Cometh II
There is presently about as much confusion as when the U.S. entered The Cold War against the Soviet Union in the late 1940s. But there are fundamental defining differences to what is likely to be an equally long and complex new struggle between the … [Read more...] about The Cool War Cometh II
ACD Weekly Briefing, March 15 – 21
Obama and Kerry Deny Recognition of Israel as the Jewish State, by Rachel Ehrenfeld On March 20, 2013, in Jerusalem, President Obama recognized Israel as the Jewish State. Moreover, he insisted the "Palestinians must recognize that Israel will be … [Read more...] about ACD Weekly Briefing, March 15 – 21
U.S. Futile Sanctions Against Russia
Barack Obama today announced that 7 Russian and 4 Ukrainian citizens who will be sanctioned by the United States as retaliation for Russia's expected unlawful takeover of the Crimea. This comes after Crimea's 95-percent-plus decision by referendum … [Read more...] about U.S. Futile Sanctions Against Russia
ACD Weekly Update, March 8 – 14
Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to announce that he will not annex Crimea to Russia even if Sunday's referendum outcome will favor such action, Rachel Ehrenfeld says in Crimean Tatars, However, in seizing Crimea, Vladimir Putin may well have … [Read more...] about ACD Weekly Update, March 8 – 14