In Geopolitics Today: Monday, May 15th
Macron Endorses Change to Dismantle French Diplomatic Corps, TUM Researchers Develop Nanozyme for Sustainable Syngas Production, and other stories.
Macron Endorses Change to Dismantle French Diplomatic Corps
In a recent speech at the French foreign ministry, President Emmanuel Macron endorsed a controversial reform of the country's diplomatic corps, sparking concern among some French diplomats. The reform calls for the dismantling of the historic corps of French diplomacy by the end of 2023, to be replaced by a new corps that allows senior officials to work flexibly among different government ministries. Diplomats fear that this reform will lead to the loss of invaluable expertise and undermine the professionalism of French diplomacy.
The reform of French diplomacy reflects Macron's vision to strengthen France's international influence and address global challenges. He aims to coordinate interventions abroad, consolidate strategic culture, and modernize communication tools to enhance France's capacity to influence. However, the reform faces significant resistance from diplomats who emphasize the need for specialization and experience in the field of diplomacy. Macron's approach to pushing through the reform without sufficient consultation or consideration for opposing views has created disenchantment and confusion among diplomats.
Read more about this story here.
TUM Researchers Develop Nanozyme for Sustainable Syngas Production
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have made significant strides in the field of artificial photosynthesis. Inspired by the natural process of photosynthesis in plants, the team has developed a nanozyme — a yellow powder that mimics the properties of enzymes involved in photosynthesis. This innovative material has the potential to produce syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, using carbon dioxide, water, and light. With an impressive energy yield of 36% from light, the researchers believe that their system could make industrial chemical processes more sustainable.
In addition to their work on syngas production, the researchers are also exploring the use of light energy for storing electric energy. By developing photo accumulators, they aim to create batteries that can be charged directly by sunlight. The team has demonstrated the feasibility of this concept in the lab, opening up possibilities for energy storage solutions that bypass traditional power sources. While further research and development are needed to scale up these technologies for commercial use, the achievements of the TUM researchers offer a direct and efficient route to harnessing solar energy. This approach appears more promising than relying solely on solar panels or wind turbines for generating electricity.
Read more about this story here.
Turkey's Presidential Election Enters Run-Off
Turkey's recent presidential election saw incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan winning 49.5% of the vote, opposition challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu securing 44.89%, and ultra-nationalist Sinan Ogan gaining 5.17%. While Erdogan will face a run-off in two weeks, the results indicate a slip in his support, as this is the first time a Turkish presidential election has entered a second round. The election outcome carries significance for international relations, particularly Russian energy interests.
Russia, with interests in the region, including Syria and the South Caucasus, has shown a preference for Erdogan. Moscow has invested in Turkey through projects like the TurkStream pipeline and the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The election outcome will impact Russia's interests, particularly in energy and security, as Turkey serves as a crucial transit country for Russian gas exports. However, Turkey has sought to balance its relations by strengthening ties with other countries such as the US, Europe, and Azerbaijan. The election result will shape Turkey's foreign policy approach and its relations with Russia, the West, and other global powers, as the country continues to assert itself as a regional leader in energy and security.
Read more about this story here.
Greek Defence Company to Domestically Produce Loitering Munitions
Greek state company Hellenic Defense Systems has entered into a strategic partnership with South Africa's Paramount Group to produce long-range loitering munitions in Greece. The move aims to enhance Greece's domestic manufacturing capabilities, as the country has historically lacked a significant domestic market for armed drones and loitering munitions. The newly developed system, named IRIX, is based on Paramount's N-Raven unmanned aerial vehicle technology and is set to be the first of its kind manufactured in Greece.
The IRIX loitering munition offers cost-effective capabilities for striking high-value targets deep within enemy territory and conducting aerial reconnaissance. While specific details about its capabilities have not been disclosed, it is expected to have a loitering endurance of 2 to 4.5 hours, a range of up to 100 kilometres, and a payload capacity exceeding 13 kilograms. The partnership also involves ongoing collaboration between the Greek company and Paramount for future research and development efforts, ensuring continuous upgrades to the platform. By developing and manufacturing the IRIX loitering munition, Greece aims to enhance its self-reliance in the defence sector and strengthen its ability to address security challenges.
Read more about this story here.
Russian Seaborne Crude Oil Exports Hit Record High
Russia's crude oil exports by sea have reached a new record high, increasing by 10% from early April, according to tanker-tracking data reported by Bloomberg. In the four-week period ending on May 12, Russian seaborne crude oil exports averaged 3.61 million barrels per day (bpd), the highest volume recorded since detailed tracking began in 2022.
Despite Russia's announcement of a 500,000 bpd production cut due to EU import bans and price caps, the recent export data does not reflect any reductions, indicating rising oil exports by sea. While Russia claims to be reducing oil production, Russian crude oil shipments to major Asian importers, such as China and India, have reached record levels. Ukraine’s allies have an interest in maintaining the flow of oil to prevent a spike in Brent prices, but by encouraging refined products to be sold at lower prices, it minimizes the benefits for Russia. However, this strategy could have long-term detrimental effects on the industry, as production throttling and equipment maintenance may suffer, leading to potential disruptions in the future.