Via China-US focus, an interesting look at China’s unexpected decision to include Iran in its BRI initiative: In an unexpected move, China has decided to include Iran in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In September, China announced an investment of $400 billion into the struggling economy of Iran. Proposed investments in Iran would be […]
Read more »Via the Middle East Institute, commentary on the position and potential of Balochistan: For the millions of Americans watching the 2018 New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square, a curious sign could be seen flashing in bright yellow throughout the night that referred to a place and a situation very few had ever heard of: “#Free Balochistan […]
Read more »Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), a report on Pakistan’s desire to switch to natural gas for its main energy fuel: HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan will continue to shift its economy from oil to natural gas, a cleaner and less expensive option. The government’s wide-ranging campaign against graft, and other problems like debt and energy bottlenecks, will likely […]
Read more »Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), a detailed look at Blochistan: Until Pakistan and the Tethyan Copper Co. settle their dispute, development of the country’s Reko Diq gold and copper mine will languish, leaving a potentially abundant revenue stream dry. Growing foreign investment in the sector will heighten the need for an effective dispute resolution mechanism. Unless […]
Read more »Courtesy of STATFOR (subscription required), a detailed look at Gwadar and Chabahar: China’s expansion across South Asia and the Indian Ocean under its Belt and Road Initiative will drive India’s own regional outreach, heightening the importance of New Delhi’s infrastructure projects such as the Chabahar port in Iran. However, the threat of U.S. sanctions and […]
Read more »Via The Asia Times, a look at the Pakistani Army’s $100 billion commercial empire covers industries including banking, cement and real estate: The business conglomerate that is the Pakistani Army, which has fingers in multiple pies across the business spectrum, has now moved into the oil business. Recent growth of businesses controlled by the powerful […]
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