انرژی و اقتصاد

Policy Analysis on انرژی و اقتصاد

Egyptian prime minister Mostafa Madbouly greets Ukrainian president Volodimir Zelensky in Kyiv in 2023 - source: Reuters

Dueling Summits Show the Need to Enlist Arab Support on Ukraine

Key Middle East actors tend to distrust the U.S. narrative about the war and conclude they can reap better economic benefits from Russia, so Washington should do more to get them off the sidelines.

۲۸ ژوئن ۲۰۲۴

◆

Anna Borshchevskaya

An explosion hits the civilian cargo vessel MV Tutor in the Red Sea - source: Houthi Media Center

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Houthi Ship Attacks Pose a Longer-Term Challenge to Regional Security and Trade Plans

The immediate effects of the Houthi antishipping campaign are measurably serious, but the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other partners also need to prepare for the emboldened group to exert its newfound leverage in other ways beyond the Gaza war.

۲۶ ژوئن ۲۰۲۴

◆

Noam Raydan

Brief Analysis

Energy Watchdog Predicts Big Oil Surplus by 2030

Implied lower prices would weaken economic forecasts for major Middle East oil producers.

۱۴ ژوئن ۲۰۲۴

◆

Simon Henderson

Photo of Palestinian workers awaiting entry into Israel from Gaza.

Brief Analysis

West Bank Economics Are Key to Stabilizing the Palestinian Authority—or Forcing Its Collapse

If implemented in full, Israel’s latest tax, banking, and victim-compensation measures could bring the West Bank’s two decades of relative stability crashing down—along with any plans to have the PA play a postwar role in Gaza.

۳۱ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

Neomi Neumann

Marshall Islands–flagged bulk carrier Laax (IMO 9512355), which was attacked in the southern Red Sea on May 28, 2024. photo obtained via the X/Twitter account of French forces stationed in the UAE and deployed in the Indian Ocean, https://x.com/FFEAU_ALINDIEN/status/1795837694960189920.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Behind Houthi Attacks on Ships Operated by Greece-Based Companies

Links to Israel-linked companies, especially in light of the Rafah invasion, are again the culprit.

۳۱ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

Turkish President Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani meet in Baghdad in April 2024 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

The Iraq-Turkey Reset

From water rights to PKK violence, a recent summit seemed to remove several long-festering thorns from the bilateral relationship, creating potential challenges and benefits alike for U.S. interests in Iraq and beyond.

۲۹ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

Soner Cagaptay
Selin Uysal
Bilal Wahab

A Houthi propaganda image published by the group's al-Masirah TV network.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Assessing the Latest Houthi Maritime Threats

Even increased aggressive activity in the Indian Ocean will be unlikely to seriously disrupt maritime traffic and global trade—but vessels calling on Israeli ports will need to take extra precautions.

۱۶ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

تحلیل کوتاه

حاشیه هسته‌ای دیپلماسی پاکستان با ایران و عربستان

بازدیدهای سطح بالای دیپلماتیک اخیر نشان‌دهنده‌ی استیصال اقتصادی در کنار فرصت‌طلبی راهبردی –و چه بسا هسته‌ای– است.

۹ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

سایمون هندرسون

Fikra Forum

Iraq’s Missed Development Pathway Highlights the Necessity of Unpopular Economic Reforms

Institutional limitations, fiscal challenges, endemic corruption, and governance shortcomings present formidable barriers to developmental pursuits.

۸ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

Mohammed Hussein

Brief Analysis

Will Turkey Cut Ties with Israel?

Although the latest rift is more than rhetorical, Ankara is unlikely to sever ties completely—unless Israel blocks it from participating in Gaza’s reconstruction.

۸ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

Soner Cagaptay

The car carrier Hyperion Ray (IMO 9690559) was struck near Fujairah, UAE, in April 2021. The ship was owned by Israel-based Ray Shipping Ltd when it was attacked. Photo credit: Rick Voice via MarineTraffic.com.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Pay Attention to Ship Seizures, Not Threats to Close Strait of Hormuz

Low-key actions like seizures can increase regional and global concerns and increase Iran's leverage.

۲۹ آوریل ۲۰۲۴

◆

Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

Fikra Forum

Addressing Human Resource and Development Concerns in Iraq’s Oil and Gas Sector

Many of the necessary reforms start with placing the institution in a competitive position internationally and allowing for decisions that maximize financial returns for the good of the Iraqi people, not individuals hoping to promote their own interests.

۲۶ آوریل ۲۰۲۴

◆

Muhammed Abed Mazeel al-Aboudi

The national flag of Malaysia - source: World Bank

Brief Analysis

The Malaysia-Iran-Israel Triangle Amid the Gaza War

Kuala Lumpur is once again displaying its willingness to facilitate Iran’s illicit activity, support Hamas, and amplify anti-Israel rhetoric well beyond what its neighbors have countenanced.

۲۵ آوریل ۲۰۲۴

◆

Rebecca Redlich

The container ship Jin Shun He (IMO 9144316) docked at the port of NEOM in Oxagon. Photo credit: Photo credit: @NEOMOxagon, posted on X (formerly Twitter), April 15, 2024, https://x.com/NEOMOxagon/status/1779799779230302424. .

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Amid Red Sea Crisis, Saudi Company Launches North Shipping Service

Riyadh’s aim to become a global logistics hub connecting three continents will face challenges if risks to southern Red Sea shipping persist at their current levels.

۲۰ آوریل ۲۰۲۴

◆

Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

President Joe Biden walks past flags of the member states at a G20 meeting - source: The White House

Brief Analysis

Coordinated Iran Sanctions Require Coordinated Enforcement

Following the attack on Israel, world leaders seek to build a coalition of the willing to hold Tehran accountable for its malign activities—though sanctions won’t have their intended effect unless partners cooperate on robust enforcement as well.

۱۹ آوریل ۲۰۲۴

◆

Matthew Levitt

Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani in 2022 - source: Wikimedia Commons

Brief Analysis

What Biden and Sudani Need to Start the Next Chapter of U.S.-Iraq Relations

To move beyond the years-long focus on Iran and the Islamic State, both leaders must commit to actions that set the table for a mutually beneficial relationship and convince skeptical domestic constituencies.

۱۱ آوریل ۲۰۲۴

◆

Dana Stroul
Bilal Wahab

Photo of Chinese and Emirati leaders walking.

Brief Analysis

G42 and the China-UAE-U.S. Triangle

By sharing very specific concerns directly with the United Arab Emirates, the White House and Congress were rewarded with tangible action on a key company’s ties to Beijing—though more such engagement is needed to keep regional partners aware of U.S. risk tolerance.

۳ آوریل ۲۰۲۴

◆

Andrew G. Clemmensen
Rebecca Redlich
Grant Rumley

Brief Analysis

The IMF and UAE Swoop In to Ease Egypt’s Economic Crisis

Cairo’s main lender and top Gulf donor have come to the rescue once again, offering major loans, investments, and Central Bank transfers that could halt the country’s latest slide despite short-term consumer pain.

۷ مارس ۲۰۲۴

◆

Ben Fishman

Energean's floating production unit, FPSO, is seen offshore Israel in the eastern Mediterranean in June 2022 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Israeli Gas Field Near Lebanon Starts Production

The floating storage vessel anchored above the offshore field could be a tempting target for Hezbollah.

۴ مارس ۲۰۲۴

◆

Simon Henderson

Video

Articles & Testimony

The Houthis and the Red Sea

In this timely new video, Washington Institute scholars discuss the pre-Gaza predecessors of the latest attack campaign, its widening repercussions on trade, and what will be required to halt it militarily.

۲۷ فوریهٔ ۲۰۲۴

◆

Noam Raydan
Michael Knights

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.