The following paper examines the ongoing gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Europe have become collateral damage, as large part of the natural gas destined for the EU pass through Ukraine. Numerous precursors preceded the crisis; nevertheless, some countries have not taken steps in advance to mitigate consequences. Failing to adopt a wide perspective, both timely and structurally wise, can lead to major crises. This research analyzes the lifecycle of this crisis and focuses on the evolution of crisis' variables. Causal Loop Diagrams are built to represent the structure that possibly originated this crisis. The information gathered here could also be used as an input for future modeling and simulation exercises.
The persisting drought in Iran, where the livestock are mostly fed by natural pastor-lands, has caused a higher rate of sheep slaughter, thus an increase in the supply of meat and a reduction of the price in the Summer 2008. On the other hand, the higher slaughter diminished the available level of the cattle which in turn reduced the production capacity of the following year. This is inherent and unique to this production sector that the production capacity depends on the inventory. This study, based on a modified supply chain dynamic model, indicates that the short term effect of drought is a lower meat price; however, in the coming season a sudden increase in the price should be expected. It can be concluded that using right policies, such as importing provender, could save the hardly recoverable production capacity of the country.