Articles
The Governor General of Australia emphasized the value of Polish-Australian relations during his visit to Warsaw
On Monday, August 1, a historic event took place in Polish-Australian relations. The Governor General of Australia came to Warsaw for the first time with an official delegation. During his visit, David Hurley met, among others, with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, President Andrzej Duda and the Speakers of the Sejm and Senate.
Democrats need young blood? Newsom comes to the White House
As the president of the United States left for the Middle East, the governor of California visited the White House. An inconspicuous visit in the absence of the current Joe Biden may herald the growing aspirations of Gavin Newsom. While both President Biden and Vice President Harris have said they will continue to run in two years, the fact remains that Newsom could enter the race for the Democratic Party nomination in 2024.
Ukraine’s Two Front Lines: Which One’s More Important?
Russia’s war with Ukraine has entered a phase of rivalry that will force the enemy on the side to accept the location and terms of the next major armed confrontation. Russian forces are making effort to target Ukrainian positions in Donbas while the Ukrainian army has announced a counteroffensive in the Kherson region, possibly to dissuade the enemy from the idea of taking Donbas now when forces are needed along the southern front.
Russia’s Rosneft Starts Construction Of Vostok Oil
Russian energy giant Rosneft said it has started construction of an Arctic oil terminal at the Bukhta Sever port, part of its huge Vostok Oil project, aimed at facilitating the development of the Northern Sea Route. The project aims to show to what extent the Russian oil sector may resist Western punitive measures.
The Philippines Cancels Russian Helicopter Deal Over Potential Sanctions
The Russian invasion of Ukraine scrapped Moscow’s plans to sell its weaponry abroad. Russian forces fall to Ukrainian troops and their Western-made military equipment. In addition, countries seeking to purchase Russian weapons may face U.S. Congress sanctions.
State Duma Adopts Harsher Treason Penalties
Amendments to the Russian criminal code further engulf the country in a climate of fear, giving the regime tools to persecute journalists and pundits.
Lavrov Visit To Africa As An Effort To Blame Western Countries
Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov went on an African tour that includes Egypt, Congo, Uganda, and Ethiopia, aimed at courting these countries to get more friends and convincing them that Russia was not responsible for the food crisis.
Japan Warns Of China-Russia Alliance In Annual Defense Paper
In its annual white paper, the Japanese defense ministry voiced concern about Chinese and Russian belligerent activities worldwide. Worryingly for Japan, Russia could look to “strengthen its relationship with China.” Like many Western countries, Japan blacklisted Russia but is unlikely to quit the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project for energy reasons.
TotalEnergies And Equinor Quit Russia’s Kharyaga Oil Project
French and Norwegian oil majors TotalEnergies and Equinor quit the Kharyaga oil field in Russia, with their combined 50 percent share to be divested to Zarubezhneft, a state-run energy company.
Moscow Again Plays Transnistria Card
Moldova has refrained from outright condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with its pro-Western government trying not to tease Kremlin officials. This, however, is unlikely to prevent belligerent Russian behavior. An array of provocations in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria was the first warning and both Ukraine and Moldova were accused of them. Now pro-Russian separatists say they want to join Russia, which is a tough nut to crack for the authorities in Chisinau. What it seems is that playing a neutral card, instead of backing Ukraine and filing for NATO membership, is a big mistake as the authorities in Moldova see a drop in popularity ratings. What might be behind Moldova’s policy is its full reliance on Russian gas and scarce military capabilities.
Tunisia’s Constitutional Crisis – The 25th of July 2022
The 25th of July 2022, celebrates the national emblematic day of Tunisia’s Republic. This Monday the 25th of July 2022, is once again marked as a critical date and possibly as a turning point, almost a decade after the introduction of Tunisia’s renewed Constitution back in 2014. Voting polls on a constitutional referendum closed at around 23:00 CET on the same day. The result of which will determine whether Tunisia will adopt a new Constitution by the hand of president Kais Saied.
The pipeline that could help Slovakia become less dependent on Russian gas with Polish help
Dependence on Russian gas is proving to be a headache for Eastern European countries. Slovakia is one of the most affected: the Slavic country imports approximately 87% of its natural gas and two-thirds of its oil from Russia, according to Euroactiv. For that reason, Slovakia has repeatedly rejected the new package of sanctions on Russia, because it includes an embargo on Russian oil.
The Iranian-Russian alliance and Turkey taking care of its interests in the region
As part of the Astana Process Summit, a three-country meeting on Syria took place. The Turkish, Russian and Iranian sides held talks in the bilateral and trilateral formats and discussed key issues. Iran and Syria turned out to be the biggest winners of meetings at the level of heads of state. Due to the steps taken to end the civil war in Syria, military intervention in Syria was not allowed. Iran has entered into new business relations with Russia that will allow the development of their energy infrastructure. An unofficial alliance was formed between the two countries.
What to expect from the upcoming extraordinary EU Council on Energy of 2022?
Jozef Sikela, the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade has called for an extraordinary EU Council on Energy to be held on the 26th of July 2022. The goal of the summit is to discuss gas deliveries to the European Union, as well as possible solidarity mechanisms amongst member states to cope with the reduced gas supplies.
