France and Russia are finalizing the sale of an amphibious assault ship, which should catch the attention of every NATO ally. ++ With a ship like the Mistral, Russia’s August campaign against Georgia could have been accomplished in “40 minutes, not 26 hours.” ++ Moscow’s aim is not to challenge American naval dominance, rather to counter NATO’s eastward enlargement. ++ This short-sighted
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Oil prices spiked to US$147 per barrel and then dropped to $90, demonstrating their dangerous volatility. ++ The US approach to oil price regulation is ineffective. ++ Global oil price benchmarks are now largely based on Black Sea crude oil (Brent), a relatively small reserve. ++ With increasing amounts of money invested in the oil market, speculation bubbles are more likely. ++ Oil price risks
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