News


Iraq/Kurdistan: Oil and Erbil

Aug 13, 2014 | New Yorker

To the defense of Erbil: this was the main cause that drew President Obama back to combat in Iraq last week, two and a half…


Myanmar: Myanmar Can Renegotiate Hydro Deal to Keep More Power, says Chinese Firm

Aug 13, 2014 | Reuters

A Chinese firm that signed deals with Myanmar's former military rulers to build hydro dams said it could renegotiate the terms, which would see some…


Myanmar: US to Waive Timber Sanctions for One Year

Aug 13, 2014 | Myanmar Times

The United States Treasury Department granted a special one year licence beginning in late July for certain US companies to trade with Myanma Timber Enterprise…


Outsiders Cannot Stop South Sudan's Oil War, Say Observers

Aug 12, 2014 | Anadolu Agency

High-level proposals to use international monitors to oversee South Sudan's precious oilfields are doomed to failure until fighting between factions loyal to the country's president…


United States: Transnational/International Security (Associate or Full Professor)

Aug 11, 2014 | American University

The School of International Service (SIS) at American University (AU) invites applications for two full-time, tenure-line positions at the rank of Assistant Professor and Associate…


United States: Transnational/International Security (Assistant Professor)

Aug 11, 2014 | American University

The School of International Service (SIS) at American University (AU) invites applications for two full-time, tenure-line positions at the rank of Assistant Professor and Associate…


Natural Resources Focus for 2015 Standby Team of Mediation Experts

Aug 11, 2014 | Norwegian Refugee Council

This team of senior mediation experts functions as a rapid response mechanism that makes expert process and thematic advice available to the UN and its…


Can Women Make the World More Peaceful?

Aug 11, 2014 | Laurel Stone

Do women hold the key to a peaceful society? Much is known about the victimisation of women through rape, trafficking, and early marriages, but much…


China/South China Sea: A View From the Sea, as China Flexes Muscle

Aug 9, 2014 | Austin Ramzy, The New York Times

ABOARD CSB-8003, in the South China Sea — As the large white Chinese ship closed in, the smaller Vietnamese Coast Guard vessel could only veer…


Kenya: Youths Block Thika Superhighway to Protest Land Grabbing

Aug 9, 2014 | Albert Nyakundi, The Star

Tension is high on the Thika superhighway after several youth groups and community based organizations protested against a private developer who is fencing of public…


Conflict Minerals: How to Make the Most of Africa’s Business Boom

Aug 9, 2014 | Sara Murphy, The Motley Fool

Following the close of this week's unprecedented U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the business community's eyes are trained on Africa. Perhaps not since colonization has the West…


South China Sea: China to Build Lighthouses on Five Disputed Islands

Aug 8, 2014 | Today

BEIJING — China is planning to build lighthouses on five islands in the South China Sea, the official China News Agency reported yesterday, in what…


Uganda: Uganda's Mineral Exports Dry Up Over 'Conflict' Certificate

Aug 8, 2014 | Nicholas Bariyo, The Wall Street Journal

KAMPALA, Uganda—Mineral exports have ground to a halt because a certification process aimed at stopping so-called "conflict minerals" from leaving the country hasn't been put…


DRC: Brutal, Conflict Minerals Smuggling General Escapes Justice

Aug 8, 2014 | Timo Mueller, Enough Project

In important developments last Thursday, on 31 July, Congolese authorities cleared all charges leveled against General Amisi Kumba, former commander of the Congolese land forces. Amisi was suspended on…


Iraq: The U.S. Airstrikes in Northern Iraq Are All About Oil

Aug 8, 2014 | John B. Judis, New Republic

Last night, President Barack Obama announced that he was authorizing American airtstrikes in Iraq. He described his intervention as a “humanitarian effort to help save…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Talisman Energy, Oryx Petroleum Suspend Operations in Iraq’s Kurdish Region Amid U.S. Air Strikes

Aug 8, 2014 | Yadullah Hussain, Financial Post

As U.S. planes bombed militant forces in northern Iraq, oil companies took emergency measures Friday to keep their staff out of harm’s way.

Talisman Energy Inc.…


South Sudan: Former South Sudan Ambassador Warns of Int’l ‘Hidden Hand’ Interested In Resources, War

Aug 8, 2014 | RIA Novosti

WASHINGTON, - While South Sudan owes its independence to international partners, it is wary of partners acting as a “hidden hand” interested only in its…


Myanmar: Burmese Among Victims of Massive Jade Scam in China

Aug 8, 2014 | Echo Hui, The Irrawaddy

HONG KONG — Hundreds of people, including Burmese jade dealers, have seen their fortunes vanish in a scam described as the biggest jade fraud case…


Myanmar: Myanmar Says Will Not Take Sides in Maritime Dispute

Aug 8, 2014 | May Wong, Channel News Asia

NAY PYI TAW: Myanmar's Information Minister Ye Htut has said Myanmar as ASEAN Chair will not take sides in any maritime dispute the bloc's members have…


Vietnam, China Maritime Disputes: Time For A Paradigm Shift

Aug 7, 2014 | Eurasia Review

Mr Rajaram Panda’s claim that “China’s illegal deployment of Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig is located 60-80 nautical miles deep within the exclusive economic zone…


DRC: Israeli Billionaire Finds 3 bln Barrels of Oil in Congo

Aug 7, 2014 | Peter Jones, Reuters

KINSHASA - An oil company owned by Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler said on Thursday it had discovered around 3 billion barrels of oil in the…


South Sudan: Investment in Kenyan Port Offers South Sudan Alternative Oil Export Route

Aug 7, 2014 | Lloyd's List

CHINESE investment to the tune of $480m in the new Kenyan port of Lamu is a significant milestone in enabling South Sudan to export its…


China/Vietnam: Vietnam Walks a Thin Line Between US and China After Oil Rig Exit

Aug 7, 2014 | An Dien, Thanh Nien News

Hanoi has kept the threat of an international lawsuit and stronger relations with Japan and the US on the table even after Beijing removed its…


Natural Resources: The Curse of Developing Countries?

Aug 6, 2014 | Rappler

People are dying while sitting on the riches of their lands. This is the horrid reality in most developing countries, particularly in Indonesia. Covering 1,904,570 square…


Call for Papers: Second Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference

Aug 6, 2014 | Kisii University

Particular topics of interest include: East and West in Energy, Water, Agriculture and Development, East and West, Urbanization and Rural Development, East and West, Peace,…


Long-term Arrangement (LTA) for Provision of Technical Experts for Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Post Conflict Needs Assessment (PCNA)

Aug 6, 2014 | United Nations Children's Fund

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF) Wishes to invite you to submit a proposal for Long-term Arrangement (LTA) for provision of Technical Experts for Post Disaster…


Artisanal Gold Mining in the Amazon: Small-Scale Actions and Massive Challenges

Aug 6, 2014 | Columbia University

Perhaps the most immediate threat to Peru’s forests comes from illegal small-scale gold mining, which accounts for nearly 20% of all of the country’s gold…


Iraq/Kurdistan: A Tanker’s Tale: Iraq’s Oil Divide - Caught Up in a Row Between Kurdistan and Baghdad

Aug 6, 2014 | The Independent

Sixty miles off the coast of Texas sits a crude oil tanker fully loaded with years of antagonism between the Kurdish region of Iraq and…


South China Sea/China: China’s SOEs Test The Waters In The South China Sea

Aug 6, 2014 | Dr. Meg Bowman, The Establishment Post

In early May, the Chinese HYSY-981 oil rig was moved into waters near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The oil rig…


Sudan: Sudan MP Accuses Army of Land Grabbing in Sennar

Aug 6, 2014 | Radio Tamazuj

Yusuf Abu Rouf, a member of Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly has accused elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces of grabbing land belonging to the Rufa‫a…