If Iraq's government can maintain relative stability in the coming year, the petroleum-rich nation could well exceed its former reputation as a major energy producer. [more]
Ukraine’s state-run Naftogaz firm announced Jan. 7 that Russian exporter Gazprom has halted all natural gas shipments to Europe. A company spokesman said no gas arrived at the Sudzha station on the Ukrainian-Russian border on Jan. 7; it had received 73.6 million cubic meters a day earlier, despite the two countries’ ongoing dispute over pricing and debts owed to Gazprom, Bloomberg reported. Alexander Medvedev, Gazprom’s deputy CEO, blamed Ukraine for the shutdown, saying it had closed off gas flows through a fourth line to Europe on Jan. 7 after three ceased operations the day before. Downstream customers Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Greece confirmed that deliveries of Russian gas had ceased.
The annual energy dispute between Russia and Ukraine is biting more deeply into European natural gas supplies. As EU officials urge a quick resolution, pressure is climbing everywhere but inside the pipelines transiting Ukraine. [more]
In the wake of the Nov. 26 Mumbai attack in the face of potential fallout from possible Indo-Pakistani conflict, corporations should prepare for a number of problems with the potential to disrupt their operations and the security of their personnel. [more]
Stratfor CEO Dr. George Friedman discusses his new book, "The Next 100 Years" which publishes January 27, 2009. The book, which has already begun receiving critical acclaim, offers a lucid, highly readable forecast of the changes he expects around the world during the 21st century.
"Israel's intention here is to wreck Hamas - its infrastructure, its personnel. They don't expect to be able to destroy Hamas permanently as an organization."
George Friedman Fox Business Network December 29, 2008
"Deploying ships to the Gulf of Aden marks a significant step in the evolution of China's navy, according to a report by Stratfor, an Austin, Texas-based intelligence company. The mission will be complicated, offering vital on-the-job training in refueling, resupply and repairs far from home as well as patrolling for pirates, Stratfor said."
Associated Press December 26, 2008
Out of the Shadows
Stratfor vice president for counterterrorism and corporate security Fred Burton discusses his best-selling book, an autobiography of a career spent hunting terrorists and protecting national security.