Economy Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

The Greek Connection: How Shipowners Sustain Russia’s Shadow Oil Fleet

Greek Shipowners and Russia’s Shadow Fleet Greek shipowners launched a large-scale campaign to resell high-capacity tankers that had previously transported Russian cargoes. Nevertheless, major Greek shipping corporations continue to play…

March 12, 2026Greece, Russia, shadow fleet

Conflict Economy Governance Warfare

War in Iran: Power Transition, Regime Stability, Regional Consequences, and the Oil Shock

Iran is fighting on two fronts at once: an external war (U.S.–Israel strikes and ensuing Iranian retaliation) and an internal succession crisis triggered by the killing of Supreme Leader Ali…

March 2, 2026Iran, Russia, USA

Economy Geoeconomics

Russia’s Oil System on the Brink of Physical Collapse

Key Findings Russia’s oil sector has entered a phase of physical crisis, where the main constraints are no longer prices but storage and transportation capacity. A decline in seaborne exports below 3 million…

March 2, 2026Russia, Sanctions

Conflict Economy Geoeconomics

Maritime Boundary Dispute Between Ghana and Togo: Causes, History, Conflict Risk, Consequences, and Scenarios

Ghana has formally notified Togo that it will pursue international arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve a longstanding dispute over their maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea. This move…

February 21, 2026Ghana, Togo

Corruption Democracy Economy

Hungary at the Bottom: Corruption, Rule-of-Law Failure, and the EU’s Most Persistent Governance Crisis”

In 2025, Hungary once again found itself at the bottom of the European Union rankings and was recognized as the most corrupt EU member state, sharing last place with Bulgaria.Media outlets…

February 11, 2026Hungary

Economy Geoeconomics Geopolitics

Orbán’s ‘EU of 26’: A Slip of the Tongue—or a Signal of Huxit Thinking?”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referred to “26 EU member states” while discussing the bloc’s collective financial support for Ukraine, despite the fact that the European Union has 27 members.…

January 19, 2026EU, Hungary, Huxit

Corruption Economy Geoeconomics Geopolitics

Orban’s Gas Noose for Europe

As the European Union strives to end its dependence on Russian gas, Prime Minister Viktor Orban is not only preserving Hungary’s energy ties with the Kremlin but forging new partnerships…

August 18, 2025Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan

Economy Geoeconomics

“Critical Ground: The Geopolitics of U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Cooperation Amid War”

The U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement is not just economic—it is strategic. It aims to reduce American and Western dependency on China and Russia for critical raw materials. Washington sees Ukraine’s mineral wealth…

May 1, 2025Ukraine, USA

Economy Energy Geoeconomics National Security

Russia’s Shadow Fleet: Sanctions Evasion, Illicit Oil Trade, and Global Security Risks

Russia’s Shadow Fleet: Sanctions Evasion, Illicit Oil Transport, and Financial Secrecy Russia actively uses a shadow fleet to circumvent international sanctions, transport oil, and evade financial oversight. One of the…

February 26, 2025oil, Russia, Sanctions, shadow fleet

Economy Governance

The new Lebanese government – a relief without great expectations

After 13 months of waiting, from September 10th, Lebanon has a new government. The resignation of the previous government came following the explosion at the port of Beirut on August…

September 14, 2021Lebanon

Economy