Food and Fuel Forever

FDI in the News: Australia

Julian Cribb, FDI Associate

20 May 2013  

A new energy sector based on algal biofuels could guarantee Australia's transport fuel and food security far into the future.

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 To read okreto rad the

Food and Fuel Forever

FDI in the News: Australia

Julian Cribb, FDI Associate

20 May 2013 

Australia depends critically on imported fuels for its food security and economy. This study explores a new industry with scope to make this country 100% self-sufficient in transport fuels and food, forever.

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Iran Gas Pipeline Ruffles American Feathers

FDI in the News: Australia

Gustavo Mendiolaza, Research Analyst 

 Future Directions International  

09 May 2013

A multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline project between Iran and Pakistan is set to help solve Pakistan's energy problems, boosting President Asif Ali Zardari's chances of reelection this weekend while giving Iran a way around international sanctions. Pakistan produces less than a third of the natural gas it needs, while Iran has the world's secondbiggest natural gas reserves. The pipeline is scheduled for completion late next year and is causing consternation in Washington, both as a potential sanctionsbuster and as part of a growing shift by Pakistan towards alignment with Iran and China .

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Beijing May Need New Template for African Relations after President’s China Critique

FDI in the News: Australia

Leighton G. Luke, Manager, Indian Ocean Research Programme 

Future Directions International

08 May 2013 

Criticism from the leader of a successful African country may result in a more nuanced approach in China’s African relationship. If Beijing is better able to demonstrate the benefits of its presence in Africa that would go a long way towards countering perceptions among locals of being disadvantaged. To read the paper, please click here

Zimbabwe’s Upcoming Elections and their Potential Impact on the Mining Industry

FDI in the News: Australia

Kim Moss, Research Analyst

Future Directions International

01 May 2013 

As Zimbabwe’s elections loom, its government considers imposing new taxes, including a tax on mining companies, to finance the poll. There are also concerns over a potential amendment to the indigenous laws. Although the latter is unlikely to be passed, the mining and resources sector is likely to face a period of uncertainty.  

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Colonial Disputes Could Threaten African Resources Boom

FDI in the News: Australia

Kim Moss, Research Analyst

Future Directions International

26 April 2013

With WA and other Australian mining companies increasingly investing in Africa, a border dispute between Malawi and Tanzania could threaten East African hopes of a resources bonanza as colonial demarcation issues resurface .

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Sudanese Attack Puts New Pressure on Indian Peace-Keeping Efforts

FDI in the News: Australia

Gustavo Mendiolaza, Research Analyst
 
Future Directions International 

24 April 2013

India’s UN Peacekeeping Presence: Responsible Global Citizen or Aspiring Security Council Member?
An attack on 9 April by 200 armed rebels in Jonglei, South Sudan, against a United Nations escort has left 12 dead including five Indian peacekeepers, placing pressure on India’s contributions to UN operations. 

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Poor Indians forsaken in space race with China

FDI in the News: Australia

Lindsay Hughes, Research Analyst

Future Directions International

April 19 2013 

As their aspirations grow, India and China are reaching for the moon and beyond. Their space race is part of a jostling for regional influence and prestige as well as the technological and military benefits success will bring, with India aiming to land an astronaut on the moon by 2016-18.
But despite its economic, geopolitical, and military rise, India still has more undernourished people than the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. While the government has approved an ambitious plan to subsidise food for two-thirds of its population, there are questions as to whether it makes any real substantial change and how affordable it is as the country struggles to contain its fiscal deficit.
India, however, remains determined to compete with China, which has seemingly endless funds, and is set to land an exploratory craft on the moon this year with plans for a manned exploration later. Both nations also have Mars in their sights.

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Burma: Pawn, Pivot, Pariah … and now Partner

FDI in the News: Australia

Andrew Selth, Senior Visiting Fellow

Future Directions International

18 April 2013

Over the past 25 years, Burma has been variously described as a pawn of China, an important strategic pivot in the region, and a pariah state allied with North Korea. These perceptions prompted different approaches from the international community, ranging from the hard line taken by the US, focussed on sanctions and other punitive measures, to the softer line adopted by the ASEAN countries, which emphasised “constructive engagement”. None of these policies were able to dissuade Burma’s military government from pursuing its own path to a “disciplined democracy”. The unexpected appearance in 2011 of a new reformist government under President Thein Sein, however, has transformed Burma into a potential partner for countries like Australia, which is boosting its bilateral ties.

To read the paper in full, please click here