The Spanish Energy Transition into the EU Green Deal: Alignments and Paradoxes

Climate change, clean energy transition, the energy security quest, and international relations have triggered the revival of renewable energy as a solution to these problems. Nowadays, there is an energy transition where renewable energies bring geopolitical changes in a world where fossil fuels are becoming less relevant. This article aims to assess how the transition influences Spain’s energy relations with other countries regarding electricity and its sources, in alignment with the European Green Deal. In order to do so, its current energy situation, the renewable energies development and its energy import-export relations are examined. The results show that despite progress in green regionalization through more electric interconnection, little difference is to be found in traditional relations with fossil fuel countries exporters, but more are the contractions in Spanish energy economic policy, as here is explained

El papel de los recursos naturales en los conflictos territoriales de Sinkiang y Tíbet en la República Popular China

More than 1,437 million people inhabit China. More than 91% are ethnic Han, leaving the rest divided into more than fifty groups officially recognized as minority nationalities. The history of China has seen clashes between some minority groups and the State, even of a secessionist nature. Some of them reach the present day, as in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Tibet. This article examines the weight that natural resources and other geopolitical benefits for the Chinese State can have in both territories. The working hypothesis is that these resources and benefits are essential for China's economic and geopolitical interests.En China viven más de 1.437 millones de personas. Más del 91% son de etnia Han, quedando el resto dividido en más de cincuenta grupos reconocidos oficialmente como nacionalidades minoritarias. La historia de China ha visto enfrentamientos entre algunos grupos minoritarios y el Estado, incluso de carácter secesionista. Algunos de ellos llegan hasta nuestros días, como en la Región Autónoma Uigur de Sinkiang y en Tíbet. Este artículo presenta el peso que los recursos naturales y otros beneficios geopolíticos para el Estado chino pueden tener en ambos territorios. La hipótesis de trabajo es que estos recursos y beneficios son esenciales para los intereses económicos y geopolíticos de China

Hydro Power Plants as Disputed Infrastructures in Latin America

Non-violent methods can strongly support achieving the 2030 Agenda of sustainable development goals, increasing energy efficiency and access in the poorest countries. However, hydroelectric power stations are disputed strategic elements in any region of the world. This paper analyzes, firstly, the role of hydroelectric power stations as elements that have been generating conflicts in Latin America in the period 1982–2018 and, secondly, the conflicts themselves. The results show that indigenous peoples face the most significant risks from constructing dams and, consequently, they are the primary opponents of hydroelectric projects

Towards the political organization of Islam in Spain. An approach to 'Renacimiento y Unión'

En febrero de 2009, se publicó una información referente a la gestación en el municipio de Granada de un partido político de base musulmana con vocación nacional que posiblemente se inscriba en el Registro de partidos políticos bajo la denominación Renacimiento y Unión. Aunque se trata de una iniciativa en ciernes y con un futuro todavía incierto, resulta necesario y relevante realizar una primera valoración sobre ella, pese a las lagunas informativas existentes al respecto y la precocidad del propio artículo. El objetivo de dicho artículo exploratorio es realizar, en la medida de lo posible, una aproximación inicial a las posibles repercusiones que puede generar la fundación de este nuevo partido desde el punto de vista de la ciencia política.In February 2009, information was published regarding the creation of a Muslim-based, national political party in the city of Granada (Spain), possibly named "Renacimiento y Unión" (Rebirth and Union) in the registry of political parties. Despite that this initiative is still in the making and seems to have an uncertain future, it is both necessary and relevant to make a preliminary assessment about it, being aware of the existing informative gap or even the prematurity of this paper. This work aims to show an initial approach to the possible outcomes that the foundation of this new party could entail from the standpoint of the Political Science.Grupo de Investigación Antropología y Filosofía (SEJ-126). Universidad de Granad

The Management of Water Resources in a Disputed Border: The Case of Gazivoda Reservoir (Kosovo)

This paper aims to study the importance of a good management of the Gazivoda reservoir. In the instable region of Balkans, water is considered a strategic resource. Crossing the disputed border between Kosovo and Serbia, Gazivoda’s water plays an important role for economies and water supply in both countries. The desire of controlling Gazivoda may disrupt the relationship that Kosovo and Serbia report. Claims from ethnic minorities of Serbs in Kosovo, and Albanians in Serbia might pose risks to current frontiers. Borders need to be respected to achieve stability. Foreign models of cooperation can be followed in order to achieve a good management successful for society on both sides of the border.Este trabalho pretende estudar a importância de uma boa gestão do reservatório de Gazivoda. Na região instável dos Balcãs, a água é considerada um recurso estratégico. Atravessando a fronteira disputada entre o Kosovo e a Sérvia, a água de Gazivoda desempenha um papel importante nas economias e no abastecimento de água em ambos os países. O desejo de controlar Gazivoda pode interromper a relação que o Kosovo e a Sérvia relatam. Reclamações de minorias étnicas de sérvios no Kosovo, e os albaneses na Sérvia podem representar riscos para as fronteiras atuais. As fronteiras precisam ser respeitadas para alcançar a estabilidade. Modelos estrangeiros de cooperação podem ser seguidos para alcançar uma boa gestão bem sucedida para a sociedade em ambos os lados da fronteira

Water Conflicts in Central Asia: Some Recommendations on the Non-Conflictual Use of Water

Central Asian states, where freshwater is a strategic resource, are oriented towards regional conflict rather than cooperation. First, the article analyses the role of the unequal distribution of freshwater that has been generating conflicts in Central Asia in the post-Soviet period. Next, these conflicts are examined. Finally, we provide some recommendations on the non-conflictual use of water

Resources in space and asteroid mining: where we are and which challenges should be expected

Asteroid mining is being presented by the media in an optimistic light, with claims about imminent massive investment, a legion of entrepreneurs with their eyes put on a potentially lucrative industry, and a future full of possibilities both for the technologic sector and for the development of a whole new way of doing business with natural resources. But is this a ‘scramble for space’ a possibility, at least in the short-term, or just another dystopian exaggeration doomed to oblivion? In this article, we try to present a sobering thought on this phenomenon by assessing three key elements of space mining: the state of technology, whether there is adequate regulation of this flourishing industry, be it at the national or the international level, and the interests which are at stake should the space mining sector finally take off, and how they may develop over time, especially in a conflictive manner

Movimientos islámicos en Asia Central

This article analyzes the various manifestations of political Islam in Central Asian countries, particularly during the last three decades since the end of the Soviet Union. Islam has inspired political parties and a component of the social identity that should not be confused with movements of Salafi-jihadist inspiration. The study of political Islam allows us to understand that Central Asia is not a region totally isolated from developments in the rest of the Islamic world or the Greater Middle East.En este artículo se analizan las diversas manifestaciones del Islam político en los países de Asia Central, particularmente en las últimas tres décadas de vida independiente. El Islam ha inspirado a partidos políticos y una base de identidad social que no debe confundirse con movimientos de inspiración salafista-yihadista. El estudio del Islam político sirve para entender que Asia Central no es una región totalmente aislada de los desarrollos en el resto del mundo islámico o del Gran Medio Oriente