News


China/South China Sea: Lowy Report: Chinese Rivalries Risk Spiralling Conflict in South China Sea

Dec 10, 2014 | John Garnaut, Sydney Morning Herald

Fierce rivalry between Chinese civilian, paramilitary and military agencies has created a "genuine risk" of conflict in the South China Sea, says a new report.

Reopening…


Angola: National Director of State Assets in Major Land-Grabbing Fraud

Dec 10, 2014 | Rafael Marques de Morais, Maka Angola

On June 5, 2014, the national director of State Assets at the Ministry of Finance, Sílvio Franco Burity, successfully petitioned the governor of Kwanza-Sul, General…


Environmental Peacebuilding Announces Logo Contest Results

Dec 9, 2014 | ELI, UNEP, McGill University & University of Tokyo

The Environmental Law Institute, United Nations Environment Programme, McGill University, and the University of Tokyo are pleased to announce the adoption of a new logo…


The Australian Defence Force’s Approach to Contaminated Land Management

Dec 9, 2014 | Andy Garrity

The Australian Defence Force has a comprehensive management plan for TRW sites and practices and the Department of Defence recognises its responsibility to remediate sites…


South Sudan: South Sudan Peace Talks Stutter as Economy Becomes Casualty of War

Dec 9, 2014 | James Copnall, The Guardian

South Sudan was born from decades of conflict, after two long civil wars in which well over two million people died. Well before the joyous…


Liberia: Growth & Graft - How Oil Can Profit or Ruin Liberia

Dec 9, 2014 | Front Page Africa

Liberia recently ended consultations on reforms in the emerging oil industry by stakeholders' participation. As part of its efforts to educate the public on the…


How Simple Palm Oil Undermined Liberia's Efforts to Contain Ebola

Dec 9, 2014 | Sara Jerving, Mic

Timothy Yeabah heard a noise ringing from the forests surrounding his village in central Liberia one morning in April 2013. It was the sound of…


China/South China Sea: US South China Sea Report Riles China to Defend Behaviour

Dec 9, 2014 | Nigel Wilson, International Business Times

China has attacked a report by the US State Department about its claims on the disputed territorial waters of the South China Sea.

Beijing's claim over…


Iraq: Iraq Cuts Official Crude Oil Selling Price to Asia, U.S.

Dec 9, 2014 | David Sheppard, Reuters

Iraq has cut the official selling price (OSP) to Asia and the United States in January for its main crude oil export grade, Basrah light,…


Iraq: IMF: Less Iraq Contraction in 2014 on Rising Oil Output

Dec 9, 2014 | AFP

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday said Iraq's oil-dependent economy was expected to contract much less than previously thought this year due to rising oil…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Baghdad-Erbil Deal is Silent on KRG's Surplus Oil

Dec 9, 2014 | Mohammed A. Salih, Al-Monitor

ERBIL, Iraq — The new oil agreement between Iraq’s federal government and the autonomous Kurdish government in the north appears to have left some room…


Liberia: In Oil & Gas Laws Stakeholders Want President's Power Limited

Dec 9, 2014 | Leroy M. Sonpon, III, Liberian Observer

At least 150 stakeholders from over 30 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have successfully validated two 'Oil and Gas Laws', but recommended limitations on the power…


Canada: Senior Environmental Consultant

Dec 8, 2014 | Department of Foreign Affairs. Trade, and Development

The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD) Canada is seeking the services of a senior environmental consultant with experience and expertise in international…


Unregulated World Oil Market Is A Peace For South Sudan

Dec 8, 2014 | Gurtong

No More Resource Curse: Unregulated World Oil Market is a Peace for South Sudan

Faced with US sale oil boom and lower global oil demand, oil…


Feeding Unrest: A Closer Look at the Relationship Between Food Prices and Sociopolitical Conflict

Dec 8, 2014 | New Security Beat

From the Roman poet Juvenal’s observations about bread and circuses to Marie Antoinette’s proclamation, “let them eat cake!” the link between food and political stability is well…


Conflict Minerals: SEC Files Brief in Conflict Minerals Rehearing

Dec 8, 2014 | Stephen M. Quinlivan, Lexology

The SEC has filed its brief in the conflict minerals rehearing.  Amnesty International also filed its brief as intervenor and Free Speech for People filed an amicus brief.

To recap, when…


Liberia: Still No Oil for Liberia, but

Dec 8, 2014 | Garmonyou Wilson, The Inquirer

With 17 oil blocks on the coast of Liberia, Nigerian, American, Chinese companies among others have leased more than 60%. Each block costs the company…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Kirkuk Governor: Oil Revenue to Kurdish Region Delayed

Dec 7, 2014 | World Bulletin

Revenue from oil exports to the Kurdish Regional Government is held up by government discussion of the 2014 budget, and by pipeline stoppages, Kirkuk Governor Najmiddin…


Somalia: Somaliland: “How Does One Misappropriate Yet to Be Harvested Products “Wonders Eng Duale

Dec 7, 2014 | Yusuf M Hasan, Somaliandsun

The four main foreign firms with oil Product Sharing Contracts –PSC with Somaliland are ready to continue exploration and start extraction operations in the first…


China/Philippines/South China Sea: China Denounces Philippine 'Pressure' Over Sea Dispute Arbitration

Dec 7, 2014 | Adam Rose and Ben Blanchard, Reuters

China denounced the Philippines on Sunday for putting it under pressure with an international arbitration case over disputed waters, and refused again to participate a…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Baghdad: No Agreement on Independent Kurdish Oil Export

Dec 7, 2014 | Rudaw

Iraq’s oil ministry dismissed on Sunday reports that Baghdad had agreed to independent oil exports by the Kurdish government, saying its position had not changed.

“The…


Myanmar: Legal Coordinator, Myanmar Legal Program

Dec 5, 2014 | EarthRights International

EarthRights International (ERI) seeks a highly qualified, committed attorney to lead the coordination and development of our Myanmar Legal Program inside Myanmar, working with local…


Missing the Progress Made in Congo

Dec 5, 2014 | Washington Post

The Dec. 1 front-page article “In Congo, unintended harm from a U.S. law,” about Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, understated the important progress made in the fight to…


Writing China: Luke Patey, ‘The New Kings of Crude’

Dec 5, 2014 | Wall Street Journal

China’s hunt for oil to drive its fast-growing economy has taken it into conflict areas like Sudan and South Sudan, a risky venture for both…


9 Things You Need To Know About Conflict Minerals

Dec 5, 2014 | Think Progress

The armed conflict in eastern Congo that has killed over 5.4 million people is financed largely by trading minerals used in an array of common…


Liberia: Confab On Oil Law Validation Begins

Dec 5, 2014 | AllAfrica

The Legislature is expected to begin a two-day National Stakeholders Dialogue for the validation of the Draft Petroleum Exploration & Production Act 2013 today.

The conference…


Iraq: ISIS Dismantles Oil Refinery at Baiji, Shipping Facility to Mosul

Dec 5, 2014 | Rudaw

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region-- The Islamic State (ISIS) dismantled a refinery near Baiji, and transported it to the northern city of Mosul, Iraqi military sources said.

Military officials…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Kurdish Oil Market Evolving Quickly

Dec 5, 2014 | Daniel J. Graeber, United Press International

The market for crude oil produced in the Kurdish north of Iraq is evolving rapidly both in the domestic and foreign markets, an oil company…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Oil Deal a Sign of Hope Between Baghdad, Erbil

Dec 5, 2014 | Mushreq Abbas, Al-Monitor

As soon as the oil agreement signed Dec. 2 between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) was announced, optimism emerged in Iraqi…


Iraq: Iraqi Army Repels ISIS Attack on Baiji Oil Refinery

Dec 5, 2014 | Al Arabiya

Iraq’s armed forces have repelled a major attack by extremists on Baiji oil refinery in northern Iraq, Al Arabiya News Channel on Friday.

Last month the…