Developments in the Middle East this past week have made it clear that the Iran conflict is introducing significant Eurasian challenges and has moved far beyond energy supplies and the Strait of Hormuz. Other key commodities, including food and critical industrial supplies are also now being impacted. We examine these developments as they affect Russia, Central Asia, China and even Japan. Logistics routes are under stress, and alternatives are being developed. This conflict will shape global development for the rest of the year. Elsewhere, Africa features strongly this week as Russia continues its diplomatic, trade and investment drive into the continent on several levels, while there is welcome export news involving Tunisia, Turkiye, China, and Japan, and Chinese joint ventures in automotive and biotech.

This past week has seen the emergence of a global risk/non risk economic map developing as it becomes apparent where fault lines lie in existing political energy strategies, with Europe looking increasingly vulnerable, while apart from the Middle East region, the United States, the eastern part of Eurasia, and all of Asia look relatively secure, although none, including Russia, remain unscathed. Of particular note are our comments on Russian commodities, in addition to the reactions in China, India and Georgia to enable analysts to build up a larger overall energy risk picture. Elsewhere we note that Russian outbound tourists now appear to have more disposable income than Europeans – we explain the fiscal reasoning behind this – and examine Russian-relevant trade infrastructure projects in the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. We also look at how political relations are impacting the upcoming 2026 World Cup Finals scheduled to be held in the United States in mid-June. That issue will become more shrill as the kick-off nears.

The Middle East dominates this weeks’ news with the unprecedented US-Israeli attacks on Iran seriously damaging security and trade throughout the region. We discuss the impact on Russia, Moscow’s discussions with each of the regional actors, and how China and Russia, with their allies, may institutionalise a response. The situation is rapidly evolving. Elsewhere, we look at Russia’s long-term biotech development strategy, the spring renewal of the Northern Sea Route, and Russian corporate outreach to new markets and new products being developed in Africa, Europe, and China. ​ With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

This week we have numerous updates about the state of the Russian economy, with obvious signs of early stress appearing – but the Central Bank reacting in terms of financial support. Also of note is Russa’s continuing domestic infrastructure development, with the reopening of railway lines to China, cryptocurrency use, foreign-invested maritime services, new shipping routes to Asia, record volumes of railway transport, and schemes to allow foreign talent easier career paths in Russia. Of note too are Russia’s development of overseas nuclear power plants in Europe and Turkiye, along with our usual roundup of Russia’s bilateral trade development in Africa, Central Asia, India, China and Vietnam. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

There are three main items of note this past week, firstly the state of the Russian economy, being described as ‘collapsing’ in the West – a position we examine in some detail. The results may surprise. Secondly, the apparent rejection of UNCLOS “right of innocent passage” appears to be developing into a major issue as both the United States, France and the UK are involved in apprehending Russian ships. To counter this, the BRICS nations may provide naval escorts to prevent what Russia terms as ‘harassment and piracy’. We examine the strength and numbers of available navy fleets the BRICS countries possess. ​ Third, there has been much commentary about Russian ‘bans’ of the popular Apps ‘Telegram’ and ‘WhatsApp’. We delve into the reasons why and explore the Russian alternatives. Elsewhere, we provide the usual pot-pourri of Russian trade and investment in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and Asia as Russia’s pivot to the Global South continues apace – much to Europe’s apparent chagrin. We value your insights as much as our own - if you have found our coverage helpful, we’d love for you to share your experience with us by submitting a testimonial here. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

It’s been a diverse week this past few days, with the standouts being President Putin’s discussions with China’s Xi Jinping, somewhat lost amongst all the Trump noise. China continues to buy huge quantities of Russian crude, while the development of BRICS multimodal supply chains to counter aggressive US maritime actions is becoming a developing issue. The Russian Prime Minister had substantial trade discussions in Brazil; we highlight the outcomes, while Armenia is facing serious choices as it ponders the EU versus the EAEU with elections due in early June. That issue will become more prominent over the coming weeks. Elsewhere steady progress is maintained for Russian trade in Africa, the Middle East and India, while the curiosity of the Hungarian PAKS II Nuclear Power Plant – with Russia financing and building an NPP in the EU – has just seen its first concrete poured as construction begins. ​ With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

We have a lot of Russian 2025 trade data this week, with Russian agricultural exports in particular showing significant increases of various products on a global basis. Of political note were important bilateral Presidential discussions with the UAE and Syria, while we provide a focus on Russia’s Middle East alternatives as concerns Iran. Strategically, Russia’s involvement in the Middle East is additionally designed to access markets in Africa. Russia also made substantial inroads into the Indian aviation market with the announcement of a JV to manufacture passenger jets. Russia is also increasing its gas supplies to China - we provide a comparison of household gas costs in China and the European Union. Russia also added 615 tonnes of gold to its reserves last year, worth in this commodity alone an estimated US$97 billion. Talks of the Russian economy imploding remain rhetoric as opposed to reality. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

We have a great deal of Russia 2025 export data this week, and especially in the agricultural sector to the Middle East. This is of note as these trends indicate that the INSTC transport network is making a significant difference in Russian trade. With concerns over potential US political and military intervention in Iran growing, we also note that Russia appears to be making alternative supply chain developments elsewhere in the Middle East should the US attack Iran again. Such a situation would bring long-term supply chain regional developments should this occur. Elsewhere, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov’s speech about the state of the Russian economy rebuffs Western claims of collapse, while interesting policy changes are of note as concerns China and India. Questions are also raised about the long-term viability of commodities exchanges such as the London Metal Exchange when the bourse has no actual physical access to the commodities it trades. Russia’s SPIMEX aims to change that. Finally, we take a critical look at Davos 2026 and ask if it has lost its way in terms of any global usefulness, or has now devolved into a club for the rich. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

This week we pose some tough questions about a pending Russian economic collapse, a Chinese invasion of the Russian Far East and, according to US President Donald Trump, Russia’s interest in Greenland. We also discuss an end to the Ukraine conflict, and examine all of these scenarios in detail and provide some surprising analysis. In other analysis, we look into Trump’s proposed 500% tariffs on countries (principally China and India) buying Russian oil, how China has supplanted Europe as the main buyer of Russian gas, important coordination between Russia and India in developing new maritime logistics, and examine China’s renewed interest in forming Russian Joint Ventures. Finally, we report from Venezuela and see how Russian investments are operating there given Trump’s recent claims ‘the United States is running the country’. The Russian New Year began yesterday (January 14). With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

Happy Russian Christmas! In this weekly update, coming on the back of unprecedented US actions in Latin America, we examine the state of global relations as a divide between the Western and Eastern hemispheres appears to be underway. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation bloc is shaping up to be a significant player in the Eurasian half. Within the eastern hemisphere, we examine the US$1 trillion spend India is committing to as part of its global maritime connectivity, with two major projects that will significantly impact Russian supply chains. We discuss a new Volga River – Caspian sea route to Iran, take a good look at the state of Russia-China trade and investment, examine Mongolia’s proposed NPP and ponder what may happen with Russia’s lithium interests in Bolivia. Finally, we look into our crystal ball and make some predictions for what 2026 may hold for the Moscow Stock Exchange. With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

With the Festive Season upon us, diplomatic activity has slowed down this past week, however there are some items of note: Moscow’s spectacular rise as a leading MICE destination, key cross-border infrastructure developments with Georgia and China, Islamic Finance potential in Russia, and a new, export-assertive sector emerging - as can be seen with efforts to develop the Philippines domestic consumer market. Elsewhere we look at Russia stock market predictions for 2026, which range from an economic collapse to 40% growth. Whatever 2026 eventually brings, we hope that it will prove a year of peace and harmonic improvements for all our readers. Happy New Year! With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia

Merry Christmas! We have three important updates this week, most notably President Putin’s explanation of how the Russian economy fared during the year at his annual “Direct Line” public Q&A session, the Eurasian Economic Council summit in Moscow, and the Russia-African Ministerial Summit held in Cairo. The latter two were highly significant for Eurasian and African continental development. In Eurasia, new 2026-27 budgets were agreed and a significant number of development projects green lit, while the Africa event attracted over 50 African Ministers. Bilateral feedback from that is also now emerging – we examine developments with Botswana and Zambia. Elsewhere, we provide trade data on where Indian export opportunities lie in the Russian market, look at the South Asian SAARC and BIMSTEC trade blocs, and examine in detail this week’s new Free Trade Agreement with Indonesia. We also discuss in some detail the fundamental reasons why Western sanctions have failed and touch upon Russian investments into the Arctic, ASEAN and China. ​Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! With best regards; Russia’s Pivot To Asia