For my assignment this week, I wanted to take a deeper dive into US sanctions: what are recent developments, and is there relevant historical context that may shed light on whether these sanctions could even alter the likely outcome that construction on NS2 continues? SUMMARY: The US is continuing to threaten sanctions, though none focused… Read More US Sanctions: Update and History
This week, my focus has been on the UK’s position. Given that I have already conducted general background research, this post will focus primarily on the UK’s energy strategy. SUMMARY: The UK is opposed to the pipeline from a security perspective, and a desire to support Ukraine. They have voiced this publicly, though tactfully (given… Read More UK Perspectives
tl;dr All Baltic countries oppose the construction of the NS2 project, due to distrust of Russia on the grounds of national and energy security, as well as wanting to diversify their energy supply. My task this week was to conduct further research into the Baltics states and V4 countries, and map out reasons for their… Read More Baltic Perspectives on Nord Stream 2
For the next two weeks my task will be to provide further research on the positions of the US and UK. This post focuses on the US perspective. SUMMARY: The US is opposed to the pipeline because Trump views LNG exports as an important pathway to reduce trade deficits (and energy exports positively affect his… Read More US Perspectives
Summary Germany, Austria and the Netherlands are supporting the pipeline project Nord Stream 2 due to their economic and financial involvement. Switzerland has no clear position. In the case of Germany there are different positions between and among the government and opposition parties.
France A flash diplomatic crisis appeared to be on the way last week just before the decision on the new EU Gas directive. News outlets in Germany began to report a sudden turn by the French Government on its support for Berlin`s position.
For my portion of the initial background research on country and regional perspectives on the NS2 pipeline, I have looked into the positions of the following: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, U.K., Ireland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. SUMMARY:Sweden and Finland are in principle opposed on ecological and security grounds, though they have both approved permits. Denmark is… Read More Perspectives on Nord Stream 2: Nordics, U.K., Ireland, Belgium & Luxembourg
tl;dr Both regional groups of the Baltics and the V4 states oppose the Nord Stream 2 project, carrying the views that the project is political and not economic, and have also denounced the project as a threat to European cohesion and security. A brief overview The two regions in the broader eastern European region that… Read More Eastern European Perspectives on Nord Stream 2
A summary can be found here. Hi guys, I continued my research on EU policy towards Nord Stream 2. This time, I put together a brief history of what has happened on the EU level so far. Also, I elaborated the EU mandate and the amendment of the gas directive that I’ve touched upon in… Read More A Brief History of EU Politics and Policy Towards Nord Stream 2
A summary can be found here. Hi guys, I found this extremely helpful Nord Stream 2 strategy paper by the European Political Strategy Centre (Link: https://ec.europa.eu/epsc/publications/other-publications/nord-stream-2-–-divide-et-impera-again_en). It analyses the project from an EU perspective and gives insights into its history and political context. In my summary, I concentrated on the relation of Nord Stream 2… Read More Nord Stream 2 and EU Energy Strategy
Nord Stream 2 Project: A clash of energy security, market & geostrategy in Europe 