Δευτέρα 30 Νοεμβρίου 2015

Are the BRICS crumbling?

Following the recent move by Goldman Sachs in closing its BRICS fund, the future of this economic A-team seems uncertain. What does the future hold for the BRICS? And can we still expect a credible alternative to the Western-created IMF and World Bank to emerge?
Are the BRICS crumbling?

Greece and Israel come closer

The official visit of Greek PM Alexis Tsipras to Israel came to a period of turmoil in the Middle East and in the midst of a serious tension between Turkey and Russia after the crash of aircraft Su-24 by the Turkish military forces. The reasons for and consequences of this "incident" are not yet clear, but it is certain that it affects the entire strategic perspective of Athens in the Eastern Mediterranean basin.  
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The first thing we need to keep in mind is that the tension in bilateral relations of Turkey and Russia directly affects, in an important degree, the wider relations of Greece with both countries. With regards to Russia, the Turkish Stream that would connect these three countries is about to delay or even shut down for a period of time. This is a really bad development for Greece, and especially for the Syriza government that has invested a lot in the rapprochement with Russia and the building-up of a strong energy partnership.