انرژی و اقتصاد

Policy Analysis on انرژی و اقتصاد

Toward a More Comprehensive (and Effective) U.S. Policy on Yemen

The Houthis pose even more of a risk to U.S. and Gulf interests than they did before the Gaza war, so Washington and its regional partners need to develop an approach that is more fit for purpose.

۱۸ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۵

◆

April Longley Alley

Photo of Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam, September 2025.

Brief Analysis

As the Renaissance Dam Comes Online, the U.S. Mediation Role Needs Clarity

Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan were unable to agree on crucial water-sharing rights in the fraught years leading up to the GERD’s inauguration, raising the specter of escalating tensions unless the Trump administration engages more actively.

۱۷ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۵

◆

Areig Elhag
Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

After Snapback, Washington Needs to Prepare for Iranian Escalation in the Gulf

Given Tehran’s long record of using maritime provocations to counter increased international pressure, the United States and its partners must be ready to respond swiftly and forcefully against ship seizures, mine warfare, suicide drones, and more.

۱۶ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۵

◆

Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

What Russian Oil Flows Reveal About Syria and Lebanon’s Energy Sectors

Greater U.S. attention to oil and trade dynamics in Syria and Lebanon can help prevent adversarial states like Russia and illicit networks from exploiting weaknesses there.

۱۱ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۵

◆

Noam Raydan

Articles & Testimony

Snapback Sanctions Hit Iran

Actually enforcing them will require hard work by Western diplomats and experts in the face of opposition from Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow.

Aug 29, 2025

◆

Michael Singh
Richard Nephew

Brief Analysis

Will Renewed UN Sanctions Bring Iran Back to the Table?

Reimposing old sanctions may not have much economic impact if China sidesteps them, but Washington could still use the mechanism to pressure Iran on returning to negotiations.

۲۷ اوت ۲۰۲۵

◆

Patrick Clawson

A utility worker repairs electric transmission lines in the Syria's Idlib province - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Maintaining Momentum in Syria’s Energy Sector

New oil, gas, and infrastructure initiatives have continued rolling in since the Trump administration’s removal of sanctions, but they may amount to little in the long term unless more is done to build Syria’s own capacity, tamp down on political tensions, and address bureaucratic confusion.

۱۹ اوت ۲۰۲۵

◆

Audrey Kost
Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

In Tunisia, U.S. Tariffs Will Be Felt Across Many Fronts

For producers, the main concern is not lost revenue or market share but instead damage to relationships they have worked hard to cultivate.

۵ اوت ۲۰۲۵

◆

Sabina Henneberg

Syrian president Sharaa meets with a delegation of Saudi businessmen in Damascus - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Promises of Billions Confirm Saudi Political Support for Syria

The high-level Saudi delegation to a Damascus investment conference indicates Riyadh is betting on President Sharaa.

۴ اوت ۲۰۲۵

◆

Simon Henderson

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militias Strain Credibility by Denying Involvement in Kurdistan Drone Attacks

Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq are improbably trying to distance themselves from drone strikes in northern Iraq, including multiple attacks on U.S. oil investors.

۲۵ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۵

◆

Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights
Ameer al-Kaabi

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

Bahrain Doubles Down on U.S. Economic Ties

The kingdom’s recent announcement of billions in U.S. investments reflects both a strong commitment to C-SIPA and a wider Gulf alignment with the Trump administration’s foreign policy priorities.

۲۳ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۵

◆

Elizabeth Dent

A Houthi helicopter approaches a civilian cargo ship in the Red Sea in 2023 - source: Reuters

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Lethal Attacks Show Strengthened Houthi Control over Red Sea Transit

The latest attacks make clear that the international community must guarantee the freedom and safety of all ships transiting the Red Sea, combining a permanent military mission with assistance from regional countries and private security firms.

۱۶ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۵

◆

Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

U.S. flag and Algerian flag; silhouettes of oil rig, migrant families

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Strategic U.S. Engagement with Algeria:

A Pathway amid Shifting Global Dynamics

Washington should help Algiers embrace greater openness, both to promote stability in North Africa and to advance U.S. interests like counterterrorism and economic competition with China.

۱۴ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۵

◆

Sabina Henneberg

Articles & Testimony

Energy Dominance: A Most Confusing Term

In a sector (and region) where conditions can change on a dime, the role of President Trump’s recently established "National Energy Dominance Council" is difficult to define.

۱۳ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۵

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Now Is Not the Time to Ease Up on Hezbollah—or Beirut

After giving Lebanese officials a much-needed ultimatum for disarming Hezbollah and implementing financial reforms, Washington is now in danger of letting them once again punt these all-important tasks.

۹ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۵

◆

David Schenker

Photo of an oil facility in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Brief Analysis

Redefining and Strengthening the U.S.-Iraq Relationship Through Energy and Security

Iraq is more stable than it has been in decades but still faces enormous security and energy challenges, including the risk of spillover from Iran-Israel hostilities, dependence on unreliable Iranian gas amid untapped domestic opportunities, an untested Syrian government, and the unrelenting Islamic State threat.

۲۷ ژوئن ۲۰۲۵

◆

Noam Raydan
Devorah Margolin

Video

Brief Analysis

Energy and Economic Implications of the Iran-Israel Conflict

Three experts explore the war’s impact on global energy markets, Iran-Gulf relations, President Trump’s oil price calculations, and more.

۲۷ ژوئن ۲۰۲۵

◆

Homayoun Falakshahi
Jennifer Gnana
Gregory Brew

Children wave US and UAE flags during President Trump's May 2025 visit to Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Unpacking Trump’s 2025 Gulf Investment Tour

The president focused his first planned visit to the region on securing trillions of dollars in economic deals, but carrying these projects to completion while ensuring U.S. interests will require close, sustained oversight.

۲۵ ژوئن ۲۰۲۵

◆

Elizabeth Dent

Brief Analysis

How the Iran-Israel Conflict Is Affecting Gulf Energy and Maritime Security

For regional countries seeking to transform their economies and partner with the United States in areas including AI, the current war poses risks that could reverberate in the global economy.

۲۳ ژوئن ۲۰۲۵

◆

Noam Raydan

Video

Articles & Testimony

Making Sense of Syria Sanctions: The Syria Breakdown, Part Seven

What does it mean for Damascus, for Washington, and for U.S. partners and allies now that the Trump administration has dismissed fifty years worth of economic sanctions against Syria?

۱۸ ژوئن ۲۰۲۵

◆

Matthew Levitt

◆ The Syria Breakdown

Supported by the

Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy

The Washington Institute's Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy embodies the Institute's long-term research focus on the conservative Arab Gulf states -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman -- and the key role these countries play collectively as a primary source of the world's oil and natural gas.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.