While our attention is focused on the war in Ukraine, other things are happening which may not be below the radar, but the significance of which might easily be missed.
This interview with Scott Lucas, founder and editor of EA Worldview and a professor at the University of Birmingham, caught our attention. The larger point he makes is that China is opportunistic, and is as happy to cash in on Russia's failures as it would have been on Russian success. Case in point: Kazakhstan. The really interesting stuff starts at about 1:57 minutes into the video.
It borders China. It borders Russia. It is on the Caspian Sea; so is Iran. Its western end is in Europe!
According to Wikipedia:
Kazakhstan has an abundant supply of accessible mineral and fossil fuel resources. Development of petroleum, natural gas, and mineral extractions has attracted most of the over $40 billion in foreign investment in Kazakhstan since 1993 and accounts for some 57% of the nation's industrial output (or approximately 13% of gross domestic product). According to some estimates,[48] Kazakhstan has the second largest uranium, chromium, lead, and zinc reserves; the third largest manganese reserves; the fifth largest copper reserves; and ranks in the top ten for coal, iron, and gold. It is also an exporter of diamonds. Perhaps most significant for economic development, Kazakhstan also has the 11th largest proven reserves of both petroleum and natural gas.
All very boring. But the Chinese are paying attention.
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