Tag Archives: energy
History Revisited, Argentina’s Nationalization of YPF
Latin America is no stranger to the nationalization of private industries. Nonetheless, President Kirchner’s recent decision to re-nationalize the oil company YPF has drawn considerable condemnation around the world. Against the backdrop of a large energy trade deficit and a …
The New Dollar Diplomacy: The Sanctioning of Iran and Syria
Introduction On March 30, 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama officially cleared planned sanctions against the country of Iran. This is just one example of many types of sanctions that have been enacted in recent years. Lately, economic sanctions have become …
What Portugal Thinks About Globalization
Due to the European debt crisis and Portugal’s status as a debtor nation, Portugal has been covered in the media a lot in recent months. Beyond the immediate crisis, less is known about the impact of globalization on the country. …
Behind the New Burma
A thaw in relations between Burma and the West is underway. U.S. Secretary of State, United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary and other high level government officials from the West have recently visited this former pariah state. Europe eased travel bans for …
A Kim of a Different Il: Possible effects of North Korean Succession
Introduction and History On December 17, 2011, North Korea’s supreme leader, Kim Jong-il, died of a heart attack while on a train outside of Pyongyang. As a result, his youngest son, Great Successor Kim Jong-un, was left in control of …
Regulating Mercury: A Crucial Step Forward
After more than 20 years of deliberation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally issued the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS), the first national standards in the U.S. to regulate power plant emissions of mercury and other toxic air …
Ahead of Us: A Russian Spring or a Russian Winter?
Protesting against political and economic injustices, people around the world are finding the courage to speak out against corrupt regimes and powerful multinationals. First there was the Arab Spring, the Occupy Wall Street movement followed soon thereafter. Now, Russia is …
Solyndra’s Lessons: Challenges of the Global Energy Market
In September 2011, Solyndra, a US-based solar panelA collection of photovoltaic cells, usually encased in glass, used to generate electricity from solar energy. manufacturer, declared bankruptcy. The Solyndra case illustrates the complexity of developing renewable energies. Many globalization factors …
Why Are Tar Sands so Controversial?
Recent star-studded rallies in front of the White House and the Canadian Parliament protest the building of the Keystone XL, an oil pipeline connecting Canada’s tar sandsVast, molasses-like deposits, mainly located in Canada’s Alberta Province, which could provide new …
The Bolivarization of South America: The Rise of Pan-Americanism
Introduction Recently, the nations within South America have been experiencing what has been referred to as a rise of the “new left”. As various new regimes come into power, including Ollanta Humala in Peru and Dilma Rousseff in Brazil, the …