Iraq: The Oil Resource Management

To this day, Iraq owns 11% of the global oil reserves, equal to approximately 112 billion barrels of crude oil. A property from the difficult management caused by the multiple interests regarding it. The central government, out of respect for the USA politics, intends to privatise the sector, while large parts of the remaining political forces, including the Al-Sadur Shiite militants, demand that the exploitation of the repositories remain exclusively state prerogative. Continue...

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Marco Di Donato

(19 May 2008)

Sudan: The Darfur “Bottleneck”

A solution cannot be assumed – at least in the near future – which can put an end to the bloody conflict in Darfur, the Sudanese region where out-and-out genocide has been in existence since 2003. The Janjaweed, an Islam inspiration group composed of members of the Baggara Arabic Nomad Tribe, oppose violently against the rest of the civilian population, made up of different ethnics. The Khartoum government unofficially claims that the Janjaweed fight is supplying their weapons and military assistance. This element contributes to removing every possible wish for peace. It is impossible that a pacification can be reached in one of the poorest areas in Africa without the will of the Sudanese government. In reality, there are many interests, of both an economic and geopolitical nature, between the different powers on an international level, predominantly China and Russia, which limit the opportunities of cessation of the war hostility. Continue...

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Sergio Porcu

(12 May 2008)

The United States: the environmental crisis and the political debate

“Going green” has become popular in the U.S., resulting in an increased awareness of the complexity of environmental issues as well as personal responsibility and activism. The frontrunners in the presidential elections have had to respond to these issues with tangible plans. 2008 may be the first time in the history of the United States that the environment will play a substantial role in the presidential campaign and, probably, will have an important impact on the final choice. Continue...

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Robin J. Merritt

(28 April 2008)

(A&F) Water: Industry Investments Grow and Profit

The water industry is reporting continued expansion and is playing an ever more critical world role. Large entities are seeing investments in the sector rewarded and its course of development leads to speculation of continued growth in the market of blue gold. Infrastructure and purification systems, crucial all over the world and in entire regions such as China, have the ability to continually and increasingly become areas suitable for massive investments aimed at better management and effective use of water resources. Continue...

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Alberto Rossi

(16 April 2008)

Palestine: the agricultural sector

Agriculture is a fundamental pillar of the weak Palestinian economy. Despite the enormous imports, the sector is partly self-sufficient and even outstanding in some areas of production, such as olive oil and flowers. Most of the production outputs are sold in Europe, in the Gulf's Arabic countries and in neighbouring Israel, where restrictions in some cases have seriously damaged the Palestinian agriculture by preventing it from becoming internationally competitive. Continue...

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Marco Di Donato

(14 April 2008)

Saudi Arabia : oil and unemployment

Saudi Arabia is a land of religious and economic contrasts. This article provides an understanding of one of the major economic contrasts: the unemployment generated by oil revenues. Oil industry, which employs 1% of the workforce, generates almost 50% of the GDP. This paradox can become a threat to both economic and social stability, if we consider the fact that 70% of the population is under 30 years of age. Continue...

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Federico Pontoni

(13 March 2008)

Bahrain: Energy Problems and Regional Nuclear Power Perspectives

Bahrain , along with other Arab countries, intends to participate in macro-regional development aimed at increasing and diversifying the production of electrical power. The project that was discussed in the executive council's 23rd meeting, presided over by the Bahraini representative, Fahmi al Jowder, was attended by the ministers of the Arab League who were delegated to address energy related issues. The hypothesis of implementing a joint effort between Arab states aimed at establishing new and strong bonds in energy matters seems to be continually taking shape. Such a measure would be part of a strategic development plan that should increase economic and social integration between some of the countries belonging to the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Continue...

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Michele Gaietta

(12 March 2008)