In the wake of the Arab spring, there's been a lot of talk about the changing balance of power among the Middle East's major oil producers. Conversation has centered, especially, on the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Analysts report that Saudi Arabia came to the OPEC ministerial meeting in Vienna (June 2011) determined to get oil … [Read more...] about AFTER THE COLD WAR: 18 GOOD BOOKS ABOUT OIL
Cold War
CHINESE INFLUENCE IN EARLY COLD WAR TAIPEI
Taipei is Shaped by Chinese Decision-Making, Not American Influence Clearly, during the early Cold War period, Taipei was shaped by Chinese decision making rather than by American influence. The capital was militarized, certainly. But that militarization derived from domestic Chinese forces -- not from superpower leverage. The US had begun to sway some decisions -- land … [Read more...] about CHINESE INFLUENCE IN EARLY COLD WAR TAIPEI
EARLY COLD WAR YEARS: TAIWAN AND THE MAINLANDERS
The first Nationalist soldiers arrived in Keelung on the northern tip of Taiwan in October 1945. Their arrival provoked mixed reactions. The Taiwanese who were already living on the island expected to be freed from strict Japanese colonial rule. The arriving Chinese also wanted freedom from Japanese exploitation. At the same time, they respected the efficiency of the … [Read more...] about EARLY COLD WAR YEARS: TAIWAN AND THE MAINLANDERS
