Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

Oman’s Economic Success Is Driven by Accountability as Much as Oil

By pushing the government to make more efficient use of higher hydrocarbon prices and a budget surplus of $2 billion, the sultan has helped reduce anxiety about the stability of the strategically positioned Gulf state.

Aug 11, 2022

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Jonathan Campbell-James

President Kais Saied of Tunisia casts a vote in the July 2022 constitutional referendum.

Brief Analysis

How to Engage with Tunisia’s New Constitutional Republic

Although anti-democratic measures continue to mount, now is not the time for cutting assistance, but rather for bolstering the country’s imperiled private sector, robust civil society, and compromised judiciary.

Aug 8, 2022

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Sabina Henneberg

President Joe Biden greets Saudi King Salman in Jeddah in July 2022 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The True Promise of Joe Biden’s Middle East Trip

It is no exaggeration to say that the visit represents a transformation of Washington’s regional approach—including a rethink of the “pivot.”

Jul 27, 2022

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Dennis Ross
James Jeffrey

Photo of Chinese and Emirati leaders walking.

Articles & Testimony

China Below the Radar: Israel-US Strategic Dialogue on Technology

Although the headlines were focused elsewhere, the president’s Israel-Saudi trip included statements, agreements, and newly announced inter-agency dialogues that imply deep implications for China policy.

Jul 26, 2022

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Assaf Orion
Shira Efron

Brief Analysis

How to Respond to China’s Growing Influence in the Gulf

Beijing’s use of intertwined civil and military tools in the Gulf mirrors its activity closer to home, but the West can readily counter this influence by capitalizing on the region’s desire for diversified partnerships.

Jul 21, 2022

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Louis Dugit-Gros

President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia in July 2022

Articles & Testimony

The ‘Spin’ Doesn’t Tell the Full Story of Biden’s Middle East Trip

If there is good news on oil, it isn’t because of Riyadh’s ambiguous remarks about increasing the kingdom’s production capacity.

Jul 18, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Biden Sees Oil as Key to His Visit, but Does Riyadh Agree?

The administration has signaled its intentions for the trip well in advance, but the realities of Saudi oil capacity and global energy forecasts should temper any U.S. expectations of a quick fix.

Jul 14, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Time to Develop a Plan B for Syria Aid

Although alternatives to the UN mechanism carry uncertainties of their own, continuing the broken status quo will only boost Moscow, endanger Syrian civilians, and help the Assad regime avoid sanctions—not to mention whetting his appetite for natural gas shipments.

Jul 14, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Louis Dugit-Gros
Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

Prospects for an Iranian “July Surprise” During Biden’s Gulf Trip

Tehran may see the president’s attendance at the GCC+3 summit as a tempting opportunity to scuttle a U.S.-Gulf reset, perhaps by using a cyber or military provocation to humiliate the hosts and demonstrate America’s inability to protect them.

Jul 11, 2022

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

Libya Could Make or Break Biden’s Middle East Oil Diplomacy

Increased Saudi production will mean little if Libyan production remains unreliable, so it's time to play hardball with Haftar.

Jul 10, 2022

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Ben Fishman

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon durnig a meeting with Russian President Vladimor Putin in Rihady - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

A Picture Could Paint a Thousand Words When Biden Meets MbS

Although political constraints in Washington, Jerusalem, and Riyadh could make substantive progress hard to come by, a few good photo ops may be all that's needed to deem the visit a success.

Jul 8, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia

Articles & Testimony

Can Biden Convince Saudis to See the Western Position on Russia?

Improving U.S. relations with Riyadh is the only way to shift the Saudi stance toward Russia—failing that, Biden’s trip is unlikely to yield a strategic success.

Jun 28, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Photo of an oil facility in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Video

Brief Analysis

The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq (Part 3)

Three experts evaluate the KRG’s oil and gas industry and discuss the growing urgency of resolving its disputes with Baghdad.

Jun 28, 2022

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James Jeffrey
Matthew Amitrano
Bilal Wahab

◆ The KRG Turns Thirty

Drawing of oil pipeline, Iraq, Kurdistan

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

The Necessary U.S. Role in Fixing the Baghdad-Kurdistan Energy Dispute

A targeted intervention could aid American interests and the global effort to find a substitute for Russian and Iranian oil and gas.

Jun 27, 2022

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

The Facts on What’s Behind Our Energy Crunch and High Gas Prices

An expert untangles the many factors driving energy costs amid complications such as the Ukraine crisis, U.S.-Saudi diplomacy, and the green debate.

Jun 24, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Engaging the Saudis Does Not Require Biden to Forego Our Concern for Human Rights

The president will still be able to set boundaries with Riyadh—while also addressing other major issues such as national security, rampant energy costs, and normalization with Israel.

Jun 22, 2022

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Dennis Ross

Israeli and UAE flags flying together in Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Abraham Accords and the Changing Shape of the Middle East

A veteran U.S. diplomat reflects on the decades of direct engagement that paved the way to the accords, which have since opened a new avenue for curbing Iran and reanimating Israeli-Palestinian progress.

Jun 21, 2022

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Dennis Ross

President Joe Biden speaks on the phone in the Oval Office of the White House

Articles & Testimony

A Month Out, the Spin Begins on Expectations of Biden’s Saudi Arabia Trip

Despite the recent emphasis on Washington’s “oil vs. human rights” dilemma, the visit’s greatest impact may wind up falling in the Arab-Israel arena.

Jun 15, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Karish Offshore Gas Field: Facts and Figures

The country and its energy partners have found a more efficient way to exploit smaller offshore reserves, though Western officials should temper any expectations that such developments will help ease the global energy crisis.

Jun 14, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Lebanon’s (Verbal) Threat Against Israeli Gas Exploration

Production from Israel’s Karish offshore natural gas field is scheduled to start later this year.

Jun 6, 2022

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Simon Henderson

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.

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