World energy use keeps rising

 Energy is above all an economic subject but one with significant political implications. One need only revisit the energy shock of 1973 when the Arab oil embargo was imposed or the strategic considerations mentioned in connection with the 1990 Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq. Next to food and water, energy is of critical political importance--for supplier as well as for consumer. We have not reached the point of imminent resource wars, a subject that is rising to the foreground in public discussion, but related issues of conservation, climate change, and global warming are sharpening international debates... more

EU treaty and Poland

During the German presidency of the European Union (EU) in the first half of this year, Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel succeeded in moving on the issue of the draft Constitution but reaped a compromise fraught with delays, perhaps even permanent setbacks ... more

Chinese global activity

Brown taking over from Blair

Parliamentary support for Sarkozy

Results from the second round of elections for the 13^th French National Assembly confirmed the growing support for the new President, Nicolas Sarkozy, and his promised policies. The often observed reaction of voters to match the president of one party with a strong legislative opposition was absent ... more

government and leader changes

national and political developments: French parliamentary elections

bio briefs

forecast: august-september 2007

info/literature

Cabinet Directory: United Kingdom

Documentation: Russian President's Message to the Federal Assembly