Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

Biden, Jordan's King Abdullah, Crown Prince Hussein

Abdullah and Biden Need to Discuss Economics, Not Just Israeli-Palestinian Tensions

Finding ways to contain the mounting violence next door is crucial, but the two leaders should keep in mind that deteriorating economic conditions can pose threats of their own.

Feb 1, 2023

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

We’ll Need Oil for Decades to Come—and OPEC Needs the High Price

As the cartel’s top players discuss their future production goals, Western leaders are becoming increasingly concerned that oil policy will be warped by Moscow’s desire to grind out a victory in Ukraine and punish Kyiv’s backers.

Jan 31, 2023

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Egypt’s Economic Freefall Provides an Opening for U.S. Assistance—and Leverage

Given the tall task of managing public dissent and meeting IMF reform requirements without angering his military base, President Sisi may be more willing to shift his problematic stances on human rights and foreign policy.

Jan 26, 2023

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Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

Iran’s New Budget Perpetuates Economic Challenges

The president is proposing de facto cuts to salaries and subsidies as well as more money for the military, while avoiding the tough reforms Iran’s economy needs.

Jan 12, 2023

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Henry Rome

Boys carry bread as they walk along a street in Jaramana, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Will the Russian Intervention in Ukraine End Humanitarian Assistance for Syrians?

Changing geopolitical dynamics and upcoming international decisions have the potential to make Syria's humanitarian crisis worse than ever.

Jan 6, 2023

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Mahmood Alhosain
Jonas Ecke

Russian President Putin and Iranian President Raisi meet in Tehran in 2022 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Making Iran’s Support for Russia More Costly

To foster doubts about the wisdom of deepening the relationship, Washington should stoke longstanding Iranian skepticism toward Russia and work with Europe to sanction additional entities involved in the drone program.

Jan 5, 2023

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Henry Rome

Israeli Prime Minister meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, 2017 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

What Is the New Israeli Government’s China Policy?

As Netanyahu promotes widened economic relations with Beijing, he must remain mindful of how his predecessors weighed Washington's deep strategic concerns about national security and technology.

Jan 3, 2023

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Assaf Orion

Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.

Brief Analysis

Assessing Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip

His discussions on nuclear proliferation, energy markets, defense cooperation, and other issues offered numerous contrasts with President Biden’s summer meetings in Saudi Arabia—as well as some unexpected criticism of Iran.

Dec 22, 2022

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Grant Rumley
Carol Silber
Eric Feely
Sarah Cahn
Sude Akgundogdu
Lauren von Thaden
Faris Almaari

Brief Analysis

To Ease Syria’s Energy Crisis, Assad Must Return to the Negotiating Table

Washington can help alleviate the country's fuel crisis, but only if Damascus and Moscow agree to extend the cross-border aid mechanism and resume progress toward a final political settlement.

Dec 22, 2022

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Andrew J. Tabler
Erik Yavorsky

Brief Analysis

Hamas at 35

A look back at the group’s track record and unchanging core ideology shows why its gestures toward democracy and inclusivity should not be mistaken for true moderation.

Dec 21, 2022

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Devorah Margolin

Fikra Forum

PUK and KDP: A New Era of Conflict

As divisions between the PUK and KDP grow, the Kurdistan region stands to lose its economic and political stability.

Dec 21, 2022

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Nawras Jaff

Fikra Forum

New Egyptian Opinion Poll: Continued Dissatisfaction with Government Performance, Almost Half Reject Mass Protests, and Mixed Views on Foreign Relations

The most recent poll results from Egypt suggest a disconnect between public opinion and pubic policy, especially on economic concerns and relations with Israel.

Dec 21, 2022

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Fikra Forum

New UAE Poll Shows Nuance on Domestic Issues; Growing Public Uncertainty over U.S. Relations; Split Views of Iran & Israel

Although many results are consistent with past polling, the most recent Emirati survey reveals interesting perspectives on Iran, the economy, and other issues.

Dec 20, 2022

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Catherine Cleveland

Fikra Forum

New Lebanon Opinion Poll Shows Continued Internal Dissatisfaction and Desire for International Partners

Lebanese respondents expressed positive views of the maritime deal and World Cup in Qatar, but seemed disappointed by almost everything else.

Dec 20, 2022

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Frances McDonough

Leaders assemble for the France-sponsored Baghdad Conference in August 2021 - source: Government of Iraq

Brief Analysis

A Baghdad Summit in Amman: Implications for Regional Stability

The French-sponsored event could be a welcome starting point for wider cooperation between Iraq’s new government and its Arab neighbors—particularly Jordan—but only time will tell whether agreements made there come to fruition.

Dec 19, 2022

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Louis Dugit-Gros
Ghaith al-Omari
Bilal Wahab

A Lebanese protester holds a sign denouncing Iranian influence

Articles & Testimony

Iran Occupies Lebanon via Proxy, But the Lebanese Still Have Agency

Although not much can be done about disarming Hezbollah at the moment, any serious Western policy will need to focus on sanctioning the group’s domestic political enablers while engaging and protecting its Shia opponents.

Dec 13, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar

A supporter of Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda Party protests against the Tunisian president's 2022 coup - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Tunisia: Caught Between the IMF and International Isolation

In the absence of strong international support, Tunisians have been left to face the worsening political and economic crises on their own

Dec 12, 2022

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Maher Latif

Articles & Testimony

Are the Saudis Reconsidering Their Nuclear Posture?

Various historical and recent factors suggest that the nuclear dimension of Gulf politics is again in flux amid a deepening world energy crisis.

Dec 12, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Paradox of Centralization and State Fracture in Iraq

Decentralizing power would have been the best way of avoiding a return to Saddam-era authoritarianism and corruption, but Baghdad has favored centralization instead—while simultaneously fissuring the state through sectarian patronage and competition.

Dec 9, 2022

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Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Human Rights Sanctions on Iran Need More Coordination and Creativity

Several countries have rapidly imposed new sanctions in response to the regime’s repression of peaceful protests, but they should do more to harmonize and expand these actions.

Dec 9, 2022

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Henry Rome

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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