Implications of Russian Energy Development – A Policy Brief

The Russian energy sector is characterized by a lack of upstream exploration and development in oil and gas. Outside investment and market penetration problems for foreign companies decrease gains from newer technology and reduce production.      Weak and ageing infrastructure prevents Russia from fully realizing potentialrevenue from productionand transportation of its oil and gas reserves to European countries. Russia would benefit from sharp increases in infrastructure investment and has many avenues toward turning an old, inefficient and unreliable distribution network and refining sector into a world leader in capabilities and responsiveness to demand.

Putin and Turkmenistan President Berdymukhammedov at a groundbreaking ceremony. (Russiajournal.com)

Weighing A World of Secrets: Assessing the Utility of Intelligence

The world of intelligence is a dark, shadowy realm that often eludes even astute outside observers. However, open source channels provide a window into this universe, which allows for the cost-benefit analysis of having a national intelligence community. The utilization of intelligence communities can certainly provide tremendous benefits to a regime, but it comes with significant drawbacks in the form of risks for both national and international affairs. Mitigating these risks is possible, but only to a limited extent.

(en.novayagazeta.ru)