Geopolitical Information Service

Dr Uwe Nerlich

The Asia Pacific is the hub of global economic development and strategic interactions

The Asia Pacific is the world’s most pivotal economic growth area today but it is also a geostrategic environment experiencing local crises and aggressive behaviour. Military competition between the United States and China is taking place silently over who controls the South and East China Seas as the two peer countries show their strength in the West Pacific and on a global scale. This is part one of a two-part series which examines the Asia Pacific. read

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Professor Stefan Hedlund

Resurgent Rosneft has crucial role in Russia’s growth strategy

Russia must ensure that its enterprise sector can face competitors on world markets if it is to integrate into the global economy - it cannot rely simply on producing oil and gas. But its diversification plans have made little progress and for now, energy looks set to continue to hold the key to its economic future, with Rosneft, the world’s largest publicly traded oil company, at the fore. read

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Dr Uwe Nerlich

The Asia Pacific is the hub of global economic development and strategic interactions

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Professor Dr Stefan Lippert

Japan's structural reforms that could underpin ‘Abenomics’

The revival of Japan’s economic fortunes by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been welcomed by large swathes of the country. But observers say if the boost to the economy is to last, it must be accompanied by structural reforms, which in a deeply conservative country have always proved difficult. This is the second part in a series on ‘Abenomics’ and looks at proposals for reform and the obstacles to their implementation. read

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Dr Emmanuel Martin

Tough choices face French president in stabilising the economy and jobs

French President Francois Hollande is hugely unpopular and accused of being too weak to impose economic reforms by one side or to create a stimulus through public spending by his left wing supporters. A government reshuffle is on the cards as ministers bicker over policy. His decision on which way to jump after just one year as president will have ramifications for France and Europe. read

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Charles Millon

The ethical rift that divides Tunisia

Tunisia was the first country to overthrow its rulers in the Arab Spring, but it is split between Islamist factions and those who want to preserve and extend its secular values. Elections have been delayed and the economy, particularly the vital tourism sector, has declined. The nation must decide which direction to take – possibly as a bridge between Africa, the Arab world and the West. read

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Pramit Pal Chaudhuri

BRICS: The economic grouping that has yet to flex its muscle

Five countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – make up the group of emerging economies known as BRICS. The organisation is often viewed as having growing influence and power on regional and global affairs. But internal divisions among its members have cast doubt on its ability to rival Western institutions on the world stage any time soon. read

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Dr Rameez Abbas

Economic decline and rising militancy face Pakistan's voters

The Pakistan’s People Party (PPP) has presided over a country which has seen its debts grow, its energy supplies dwindle and violence and Islamic militant extremism flourish in the last five years. The party is dominated by the most famous family in Pakistani politics, the Bhutto family. The PPP has made one huge contribution to Pakistan by giving the democratic process a major boost. This will be tested at Pakistan's general election on May 11, 2013. read

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Dr Jorge Balan

US and Mexico foster education and research initiative to boost trade and industry

Mexico and the US are enhancing their shared political agenda in a move which takes the focus off the contentious issues of drugs, security and immigration and highlights the countries’ partnership in trade and investment . The joint vision is to place greater emphasis on collaboration in education and research with a view to serve industry needs. read

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Professor Stefan Hedlund

Cheaper oil highlights Russia’s economic woes

Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called on his ministers to introduce measures to counter Russia’s slowdown in economic growth, but with little effect. Oil is a key factor in the nation’s prosperity and prices have fallen significantly in 2013. Corruption means that major infrastructure projects are ineffective and many wealthy Russians believe their money is safer – and more productive - overseas. read

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Professor Dr Stefan Lippert

The rewards and risks of Japan’s ‘Abenomics’ revival

Japan’s new prime minister, Shinzo Abe, appears to have turned the country’s economy around since his election in December 2012, with what has become known as ‘Abenomics’. But critics argue that the aggressive monetary policy of the government and its debt-financed populist projects will only be effective in the relative short term. This is the first of a two-part series on Abenomics and looks at the impact it is having – and could have - on the world’s third largest economy. read

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Dr Frank Umbach

German energy’s growing vulnerability to cyber attack

The first cyber assault against a European electricity grid operator to be admitted publicly struck the German power utility company, 50Hertz in 2012. The attack failed to disrupt energy supplies but it could not have come at a worse time as Germany is in the process of transforming its energy industry. This is the sixth part in our series of reports on cyber threats. This report looks at Germany’s vulnerability to attack and why it is struggling to adequately address the risks. read

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Dr Frank Umbach

The vulnerability of critical energy infrastructures – SCADA-systems and smart grid-/smart metering technologies

The internet was founded on the principles of inter-operability, openness and neutrality. But as the network becomes more complicated and sophisticated, these principles are putting users, particularly in the energy industry, at increasing economic, political and geostrategic risk. The fifth part of our series on cyber threats assesses how vulnerable internet networks are becoming for critical energy infrastructures and the corporate sector. read

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Professor Stefan Hedlund

Shale gas revolution increases pressure on out-of-favour Gazprom

Russian gas giant Gazprom’s glory days are over. It faces challenges from the European Union’s competition regulators, from major shale gas discoveries and from within – its relations with the Kremlin are no longer convivial. It is under pressure to ’unbundle’ its pipelines and give up its monopoly on gas exports. The company is at a crossroads – and all the roads ahead are fraught with problems. read

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Dr Carole Nakhle

Kuwait: the dangers of oil dependence

Kuwait, a small Gulf state, is one of the richest countries in the world. It sits on the world's sixth largest proven oil reserves. This oil dependent economy is enjoying a strong performance thanks to high oil prices. But analysts question whether the government’s generous social spending is sustainable especially in the light of two main challenges - a potential downward pressure on oil price and the desire of Kuwait to expand its production. read

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Professor Dr Stefan Lippert

Renewables prosper in Japan despite new government’s pro-nuclear stance

free access New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has rejected his predecessor’s decision to phase out nuclear power in Japan, where energy costs have soared in the wake of the shutdown following the Fukushima disaster. But very few reactors are expected to be re-started in the foreseeable future – and meanwhile the renewable energy sector is flourishing, especially solar power. read

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