Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

Emir’s Death Leaves Kuwait Vulnerable to Gulf Rivals

From family competition and parliamentary rumblings to potential friction with various neighbors, the oil-rich U.S. ally may face a challenging transition.

Sep 29, 2020

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Simon Henderson
Elana DeLozier

Brief Analysis

U.S. Officials to Mediate Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Talks

Negotiating a dividing line would enable Beirut to fully exploit potential offshore oil and gas reserves.

Sep 25, 2020

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Ehud Yaari
Simon Henderson
Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Britain in Oman: Washington’s Strategic Partner

London is investing heavily in supporting its relationship with Muscat, not least because Omani mediation can often be more effective than its own in fostering regional stability and security.

Sep 18, 2020

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Jonathan Campbell-James

Brief Analysis

Kadhimi’s Rolling Reshuffle (Part 2): Protecting Iraq’s Economic Institutions and Borders

As technocrats increasingly fill key government roles, U.S. officials need to help Baghdad withstand the inevitable counterpunch from political and militia factions used to dictating such appointments.

Sep 15, 2020

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

'Farewell, Fossil Fuels'? What Oil's Demise Will Do to the World's Leading Economies

The combination of new demand projections, green consumer trends, pandemic-related shifts, and other factors may not spell the end of Middle Eastern oil economies quite yet, but it is the first draft of their obituary.

Sep 15, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Beyond the Ceasefire in Libya

Publicly committing to a ceasefire is a positive development, but many details still need to be resolved with active U.S. support, especially security arrangements in central Libya and the speedy resumption of oil exports.

Aug 25, 2020

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Anas El Gomati
Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

Oman’s Sultan Devolves Some of His Powers to New Cabinet

In a series of royal decrees that imply a sharp focus on the economy, Sultan Haitham delegated key powers to various ministries for the first time while trimming and professionalizing the government.

Aug 19, 2020

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Elana DeLozier

Brief Analysis

The Beirut Disaster: Implications for Lebanon and U.S. Policy

Experts discuss the deadly Beirut explosion as it relates to the Lebanese political system, Hezbollah hegemony, and foreign aid.

Aug 18, 2020

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Saleh Machnouk
Hanin Ghaddar
Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Kadhimi Visits Washington: Broadening the U.S.-Iraq Relationship

The visit and follow-on meetings present an opportunity to not only reaffirm the strategic partnership, but also move beyond outdated paradigms that view Iraq solely as an arena for countering terrorism and pushing back against Iran.

Aug 17, 2020

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Dana Stroul
Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

The Slow but Steady Progress to Israel’s Peace with the UAE

Years of burgeoning trade and quiet U.S. diplomacy helped lay the groundwork for a move that is only partly focused on improving the bilateral relationship.

Aug 14, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Turkey’s Search for Oil May Spill Over into Conflict with Greece

The current flare-up centers on differing interpretations of international law—a situation that should be employing lawyers but is instead deploying navies.

Aug 12, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Moscow and Ankara Will Continue Uneasy Cooperation

Putin set a trap for Erdogan long ago, and because the Turkish leader woke up too late to his predicament, he now has little leverage in the unequal bilateral relationship.

Aug 6, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia’s Soccer Setback

Riyadh’s failed attempt to buy a high-profile English Premier League club will be examined closely by foreign investors and regional competitors alike.

Jul 31, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

The Kurdish Role in Russia’s Middle East Power Play

As Moscow continues to intervene in regional conflicts, politics, and energy affairs, Washington should not underestimate its deep-rooted relationships with Kurdish groups in various countries.

Jul 29, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

Iran-South Korea Humanitarian Trade Requires U.S. Assurances

Tehran is pressing Seoul regarding the billions in Iranian oil revenues held by South Korean banks, creating an opportunity to expand the U.S. humanitarian trade mechanism.

Jul 28, 2020

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Katherine Bauer
Kevin Mathieson

Brief Analysis

Divisions in Iraqi Kurdistan Are Costing the United States a Reliable Partner

If Kurdish leaders do not find a way to get beyond petty squabbles and into governing, they will be unable to pull the KRI out of its current nosedive or put their relationship with Washington on more solid ground.

Jul 24, 2020

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Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

When China Met Iran

A growing partnership between America’s main Middle East adversary and Asia’s rising superpower bears careful watching in Washington.

Jul 21, 2020

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Shifting Sands in the House of Saud with a King’s Declining Health

King Salman may not be on his deathbed, but his son is renowned for not wanting to waste an opportunity.

Jul 21, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

East Mediterranean Energy Rivalries Face Harsh Economic Realities

Even if acute diplomatic differences are resolved, low natural gas prices will have a cooling effect on regional energy initiatives.

Jul 17, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Political Instability Deepens in Tunisia

The prime minister’s resignation throws the country into political uncertainty at a time of mounting economic challenges, coronavirus fears, social unrest, and potential spillover from the Libya conflict.

Jul 17, 2020

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Sarah Feuer

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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Featured experts

Patrick Clawson

Patrick Clawson is the Morningstar Senior Fellow and Research Counselor at The Washington Institute.

Simon Henderson

Simon Henderson is the Baker Senior Fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute, specializing in energy matters and the conservative Arab states of the Persian Gulf.