Damien Phillips

Damien Phillips is a fellow of the Cobden Centre

Tuesday

Damien Phillips

Putin’s anti-western oil alliance is coming unstuck

From our UK edition

As Russia frantically attempts to hold on to its territorial gains in the face of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive, there are early signs that it is also failing to retain its diplomatic and foreign policy advances. The anti-Western energy alliances it had constructed around the world with many of the leading oil and gas producers, which had endured despite the invasion, are beginning to fracture. Its attempts to shutdown competitors to Russian oil and gas have proved futile. It all went wrong so quickly for Russia. Back in 2016, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) expanded to include Russia as part of OPEC+. The deal, painstakingly brokered by Saudi Arabia, was seen as a personal victory for de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS).

Thursday

Damien Phillips

How Britain’s ‘frenemies’ are helping Putin’s Russia

From our UK edition

In the battle to become prime minister, both Liz Truss and RIshi Sunak have vowed to crack down on Britain’s enemies. As China bullies Taiwan and Russia bombards Ukraine, whoever wins is likely to see their resolve tested from day one in No. 10. What is less clear is how either candidate would deal with the tricky issue of Britain’s 'frenemies': those countries that say warm words about the West but can't always be trusted.  Putin's war has exposed the divided loyalties of several countries around the world – including India and Turkey – who purport to be friends of Britain. When we have needed these nations to take a stand, they have either refused to help, worked to undermine us, or worse, are actively helping our enemies.