...The thorny issue of the energy dependency Russia is the largest single energy partner of the EU Energy represents 65% of total import from Russia (2007) 40.4% of total EU’s gas imports come from Russia Sales of raw materials to the EU represents 40% of the Russian budget EU represents 80% of cumulative foreign investments in Russia More than 60% of the Russian external investments are done in the EU. Russian Federation is also the second EU oil supplier with 20% of the importations and 16% of the total consumption Germany—the fourth largest consumer of natural gas in the world Depends on Russia for 43% of its imports vs: 100% dependence of the three Baltic States, Romania, Bulgaria Vs. France’s - 24% Vs. Spain and Portugal, which do not import gas from Russia at all. • That Russia will threaten to shut off energy supplies or increase prices to extract political concessions; • That Russia will exploit existing debts for energy supplies or other economic weakness in energy consuming countries to buy or take over assets in those countries’ energy sectors or other sectors, with a view to use those assets for political leverage; • That Russia will unfairly seize the assets of U.S. or European energy companies operating in Russia, or force western firms to sell their assets, possibly at low prices; • That Russia’s energy wealth and power will encourage broader assertiveness in Moscow’s foreign policy to the detriment of U.S. and European interests. 1973 Oil Crisis...
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...1.4 Results 9 3.2 Example 2: BioFix 10 3.2.1 Context 10 3.2.2 BioFix Project 10 3.2.3 First steps 10 3.2.4 Partners 10 3.2.5 Results 11 Introduction After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US - it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with the West. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011. Republic of Estonia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the...
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...Europe’s energy security: challenges and opportunities GAWDAT BAHGAT Several geopolitical and economic developments in the first decade of the twentyfirst century have heightened Europe’s sense of vulnerability in respect of its energy supplies. On the supply side of the energy equation, the continuous fighting and rising ethnic and sectarian tension in Iraq, and the diplomatic confrontation over Iran’s nuclear programme, have intensified concern over the stability of supplies from the Persian Gulf. On the demand side, China’s and India’s skyrocketing energy consumption and their efforts to secure supplies have intensified global competition over scarce hydrocarbon resources. These changes in the landscape of the global energy market, in conjunction with diminishing refinery capacity, shrinking spare capacity and a low level of investment, have driven oil and natural gas prices higher. Currently, the European Union’s oil bill (for imported and domestically produced oil) stands at around €250 billion a year, or roughly 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).1 These soaring prices have exerted tremendous pressure on European economies and underscored the need for a common European energy policy. The dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas prices in January 2006 further highlighted the risks of dependence on a few energy suppliers. In early 2005 the Russian state monopoly, Gazprom, announced plans to start applying ‘market rules’ in its gas dealings with former Soviet...
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...The ‘R’ in BRICs: is Russia an emerging power? S. NEIL MACFARLANE * The notion of emerging powers presupposes a number of characteristics shared by the states in question.1 These include regional preponderance, aspiration to a global role, and the contesting of US hegemony. These characteristics arguably make the group as a whole a useful category in analysis and policy formulation. In particular, cooperation among these states, and possibly with more established powers seemingly equally unhappy with the unipolar configuration of international politics (e.g. France), may create a basis for a coalition having the potential to balance American power.2 There is ample evidence from all of the emerging powers of unhappiness with the existing structure of international politics. There has also been substantial consideration of the potential for cooperation among them and with certain European states to constrain the hegemon—from the suggestion of entente between France, Germany and Russia to the repeated examination of prospects for a SinoRussian–Indian triangle, and the growing Chinese and Russian interest in bilateral cooperation over shared security concerns.3 This article assesses the role of Russia as an ‘emerging power’. How do Russians interpret the international system in which they operate? What kind of system would they prefer? What are they trying to do in the current system and why? How do these considerations affect their relations with the hegemon, with other centres...
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...of Contents Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Estonia under attack……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Types of attacks ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 Threats actors and their motives ……………………………………………………………………………. 6 Who were responsible for the attacks ……………………………………………………………………. 7 Strategic Shifts in Response to attacks ……………………………………………………………………. 8 Conclusions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10 Introduction The Baltic state of Estonia was attacked by hackers in April of 2007. Scores of government and private sector website were shut down. Estonian’s daily activities, such as pumping gas or making withdrawals from ATM machines were severely impacted. The architecture of the Internet allowed networks of bots, called botnets, to direct millions of packets to the servers of the Estonian targets, overloading and rendering them inaccessible to visitors. Digital traffic from servers ranging all the way to Peru, Vietnam and the United States overwhelmed Estonian websites, overloading their buffers with superfluous data. At the apex of this DDoS flooding, government websites that had been receiving 1,000 visits each day were suddenly inundated with 2,000 per second (Crouch, Pg 1). No overt financial motivations were discovered as the driver of these attacks, with the principal motivation being political and retaliatory against the government of Estonia. The likely threat actors belonged to the Russian diaspora, who...
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...Fracturing Salman Ahmed August 18, 2013 1. Hydraulic fracturing is a process of well stimulation, and a completion technique. It is used to extract underground natural resources, such as oil, natural gas, and geothermal energy. Industrial hydraulic fracturing is used to enhance subsurface fracture systems. The well stimulation process is used in nine out of ten gas wells in the United States. Generally, millions of gallons of water, sand, and chemical mixtures are pumped underground to break apart the rock formations to release gas. This method is used to facilitate the maximal extraction of natural gas by allowing it to move more freely from rock pores to production wells. This movement causes the oil or gas to come to surface where it can be stored in wells (US EPA, 2012). 2. The process of hydraulic fracturing starts with finding natural gas in underground formations, such as sandstones, carbonates, shale and coal. To gain access to the natural gas, vertical, horizontal, or multi-level wells are drilled to the target formation. Hydraulic fracturing is a completion technique used to create an effective connection between a well and the natural gas formation. Before drilling a well, a drilling and completion plan must be developed and approved by state regulators. Geoscientists and environmental employees then work to collect information about the surface geology of the potential drill site (ConocoPhillips, 2011). A well pad made of cement and dirt is constructed...
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...characterized by mutual distrust, suspicion and misunderstanding by both the United States and Soviet Union, and their allies. At times, these conditions increased the likelihood of the third world war. The United States accused the USSR of seeking to expand Communism throughout the world. The Soviets, meanwhile, charged the United States with practicing imperialism and with attempting to stop revolutionary activity in other countries. Each block's vision of the world contributed to East-West tension. The United States wanted a world of independent nations based on democratic principles. The Soviet Union, however, tried control areas it considered vital to its national interest, including much of Eastern Europe. Through the Cold War did not begin until the end of World War II, in 1945, U.S.-Soviet relations had been strained since 1917. In that year, a revolution in Russia established a Communist dictatorship there. During the 1920's and 1930's, the Soviets called for world revolution and the destruction of capitalism, the economic system of United States. The United States did not grant diplomatic recognition to the Soviet Union until 1933. In 1941, during World War II, Germany attacked the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union then joined the Western Allies in fighting Germany. For a time early in 1945, it seemed possible that a lasting friendship might develop between the United States and Soviet Union...
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...Contents 1.HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL ACCOUNT OF EU-MOLDOVA RELATIONS 2 1.1.Political situation in Moldova. 2 1.2. Establishement of EU-Moldova relations. 3 2. EC-MOLDOVA PARTERSHIP AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT 6 3. THE TRANSNISTRIAN ISSUE AS A SECURITY THREAT FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION 9 4.THE FUTURE OF EU-MOLDOVA RELATIONS 12 REFERENCES: 18 ‘’You are well aware that the values on which the EU is built-freedom,democracy,respect for human rights and fundamental freedom,and the rule of law-lie precisely at the heart o the political association and economic integration process which the Eastern Partership offers and which we are pursuing with Moldova.(…) We want to create a new reality where all the citizens of Moldova, without exclusion, can enjoy all the benefits of a modern and effective political and economic system, respectful of their fundamental right’’. President Barroso. 1.HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL ACCOUNT OF EU-MOLDOVA RELATIONS 1.1.Political situation in Moldova. 1.The independence of the Republic of Moldova, which was declared in 1991, raised a great number of crucial questions for the future of the new country- problems that had to be solved without delay. One of them was them was the orientation of its foreign policy and external allies. Moldova is literally situated on the border between East and West the countries that have chosen a ‘Euro-Asian’...
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...individual and political freedoms, including freedom of religion. Although church and state are separate, a few historical ties remain; the royal family belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church (Protestant). Freedom of speech also is protected. Government Structure The country's government is based on the principles of ministerial responsibility and parliamentary government. The national government comprises three main institutions: the Monarch, the Council of Ministers, and the States General. There also are local governments. The Monarch. The monarch is the titular head of state. The Queen's function is largely ceremonial, but she does have some influence deriving from the traditional veneration of the House of Orange, from which Dutch monarchs for more than 3 centuries have descended. Her influence also derives from her personal qualities as Queen and her power to appoint the "formateur," who forms the Council of Ministers following elections. Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers plans and implements government policy. The Monarch and the Council of Ministers together are called the Crown. Most ministers also head government ministries, although ministers-without-portfolio exist. The ministers, collectively and individually, are responsible to the States General (parliament). Unlike the British system, Dutch ministers cannot simultaneously be members of parliament. The Council of State is a constitutionally established advisory body to the government that consists...
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...FDI Venture | Trans-Continental Trucking Company in Poland | | Country/Service Since its transition to a market economy after becoming liberalized in 1989, Poland has quickly become a thriving high middle income country that has a stable democracy and good relationships with European States ("Polish Information and Investment Agency"). Poland possesses the public institutions, infrastructure, high human development levels and proximity to world markets, making it an attractive country to do business in ("Polish Information and Investment Agency"). Based on economic factors, compensation rates, and location, it is proposed to enter into Poland’s transportation services market by starting a wholly owned trucking company transporting oversized cargo, such as windmill parts and fuel. Preliminary research showed Poland as a major avenue for transporting goods across Europe, proving a trucking company would be a lucrative investment. Poland has seen a significant increase in foreign direct investment projects, up 40%, the most across Europe ("Polish Information and Investment Agency"). Currently, Poland is listed as the sixth most attractive country to invest in, confirming the country’s strong position in the international invest scene ("Helping U.S. Companies to Export"). The country’s sustainable development has much to do with its solid economic foundations. Poland has experienced an unflagging 5% annual economic growth, classifying it a credible and important business...
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...Running Head: TOURISM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Ethical implications of tourism in developing countries Emily McIntyre 3378148 September 26, 2006 TREN 3P12 Sonya Graci Introduction: Tourism is instituted in ad hoc fashion, with little regard to appropriate socio-ecological planning. This paper outlines the ethical implications of tourism in terms of the social and political, environmental and economical issues in developing countries. All resolutions for these implications, follow the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) which is a set of principles whose purpose is to guide stakeholders in tourism development: central and local governments, local communities, the tourism industry and its professionals, as well as visitors both international and local (UNWTO, n.d.). Background on the industry: In general, tourism occurs in developing countries, because businesses have adopted a development-oriented perspective. The emphasis is on development (use) in order to reach optimal economic gain by extractive use of resources rather than protection and preservation (Fennell, 2002). There has been a trend in humans, to take on the role of being bad rules, by trying to exploit and dominate for short-term personal gain at any expense (Peterson, 1996). It is a harsh reality that there are a significant lack of resources for effective management of visitors and the environment (Fennell, 2002). Therefore, resource management is a critical issue that...
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...Central America in the 1980s, showed no signs of lessening. Reagan was intent on stopping that trend—a trend, he believed, that President Carter had done little to reverse. Therefore, he adopted the vocabulary of the early Cold War, advocating policies equally aggressive and bold in range (Foreign Affairs). Reagan presented his vision at his State of the Union Address on February 6, 1985. "We must not break faith," he declared, "with those who are risking their lives—on every continent from Afghanistan to Nicaragua—to defy Soviet-supported aggression and secure rights which have been ours from birth." The president went on to compare anticommunist forces with American colonists who had fought the revolutionary war, relating those early patriots as "freedom fighters" for democracy. Providing aid to those groups was not only ethically just but geopolitically sensible. "Support for freedom fighters," Reagan declared, "is self-defense." It would be months before those declarations would take form as a permanent statement of policy. In the short-term, a further promise to support "freedom fighters," made on February 22 by Secretary of State George Shultz to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, lent added weight to Reagan's message. It was neither Reagan nor his advisers who placed the president's name to the set of policies he was announcing. Charles Krauthammer, a...
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...UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI PROJECT ON ‘PESTLE AND DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF FINLAND’ MASTER OF COMMERCE (BUSINESS MANAGEMENT) SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL MARKETING SEMESTER III 2013-14 In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement under Semester Based Credit And Grading System for Post Graduates (PG) Program me under Faculty of Commerce SUBMITTED BY RAJESHREE N. PATEL ROLL NO: 41 PROJECT GUIDE Ms. Shradha Jain K.P.B. Hinduja Collage Of Commerce, 315 New Charni Road, Mumbai 400004. M.COM (BUSINESS MANEGEMENT) III rd SEMESTER ‘PESTLE AND DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF FINLAND’ SUBMITTED BY RAJESHREE N. PATEL ROLL NO: 41 CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Ms. Rajeshree Patel of M. Com. Business Management Semester 3rd [2013-2014] has successfully completed the project on ‘PESTLE AND DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF FINLAND’ |Project Guide |________________________________ | |Course Coordinator |________________________________ | |Internal Examiner |________________________________ | |External Examiner |________________________________ | |Principal ...
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...The Crisis of Crimea and Ukraine Key Lessons for President Obama from Presidents Reagan and Clinton [pic] SOURCE: AP/Greg Gibson President Bill Clinton reads a statement at the conclusion of the NATO 50th anniversary summit, Sunday April 25, 1999, in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington. By Rudy deLeon and Aarthi Gunasekaran | May 14, 2014 In the past two months, the Crimea and Ukraine crisis has grown. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian militia are engaged in a back and forth standoff in eastern Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened that the conflict “essentially puts the nation on the brink of civil war.” The United States has been at the forefront of building international support for Ukraine, and the Obama administration continues to assemble Western support. However, efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement, or at least to reduce immediate tensions, are still in progress. As the Obama administration prepares its next steps in response to Russia in Ukraine, it can examine lessons from two other administrations in times of crisis. First, the Reagan administration’s reaction in 1983 to the Soviet downing of a civilian Korean airliner and its response to the terrorist attack against U.S. Marines on a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Second, the Clinton administration’s initiative to proactively expand and deepen partnerships in Europe during the 1990s through its Partnership for Peace. President...
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...because wherever I go, whatever I do: Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin. [I still have a suitcase in Berlin.] Our gathering today is being broadcast throughout Western Europe and North America. I understand that it is being seen and heard as well in the East. To those listening throughout Eastern Europe, a special word: Although I cannot be with you, I address my remarks to you just as surely as to those standing here before me. For I join you, as I join your fellow countrymen in the West, in this firm, this unalterable belief: Es gibt nur ein Berlin. [There is only one Berlin.] Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe. From the Baltic, south, those barriers cut across Germany in a gash of barbed wire, concrete, dog runs, and guard towers. Farther south, there may be no visible, no obvious wall. But there remain armed guards and checkpoints all the same--still a restriction on the right to travel, still an instrument to impose upon ordinary...
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