Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

Implications of the Saudi Corruption Arrests

The latest crackdown appears to have targeted senior defense and interior officials, spurring speculation that they are linked to previously detained princes rumored to be plotting a coup.

Mar 16, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iraq’s Health, Financial, and Security Crises Sharpen the Urgency of Forming a Government

Allawi’s cabinet failure may indicate growing Iraqi agency at Iran’s expense, but the path toward political stability remains tortuous and foggy.

Mar 13, 2020

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Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

Russia and Saudis in a Knife Fight Over Oil—But We May Be the Victims

The duration and effects of the showdown may come down to price fluctuations and budgetary requirements in Moscow and Riyadh, but the U.S. shale industry will likely suffer either way.

Mar 10, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Making Sense of the Saudi Rumors: A Guide to Royal Family Politics

Reports of royal arrests, a possible coup plot, and a brewing oil price war suggest that the kingdom is facing another period of considerable political tension.

Mar 9, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Shia vs. the ‘Shia Crescent’

Whether by force or politics, Iran desperately needs to reconsolidate power among Shia constituencies throughout the region, but this challenge may prove insurmountable given current public sentiment in Iraq and Lebanon.

Mar 5, 2020

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah Has a New Strategy to Survive Lebanon’s Financial Crisis

Unless Washington and its allies respond to the protestors’ legitimate demands for reform, the group will survive through measures such as expanding its smuggling activity, promoting its financial institutions, and selectively scapegoating corrupt politicians.

Mar 2, 2020

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Sacked Saudi Energy Minister Returns to Cabinet

Khalid al-Falih’s appointment to a new investment role suggests that the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation project needs to be reinvigorated.

Feb 26, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Middle East’s Future of Perpetual Pandemics

If outbreaks like the coronavirus shift from ‘black swan’ events to regular occurrences, globalization trends in the region may reverse, with sobering consequences.

Feb 26, 2020

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

FATF’s Approach to Iran Should Mix Engagement with Pressure

Although it is time for the international standard-setter to act, returning Iran to the blacklist need not be seen as the end of FATF engagement with the country.

Feb 18, 2020

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Katherine Bauer

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Latest Battle for Idlib Could Send Another Wave of Refugees to Europe

Various displacement scenarios may unfold as the fighting escalates, each carrying a high risk of negative humanitarian and economic consequences even if the parties live up to their promises.

Feb 10, 2020

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Fabrice Balanche

Brief Analysis

Continuity vs. Overreach in the Trump Peace Plan (Part 2): Security, Refugees, and Narratives

By granting Israel much more say over the sovereignty of a future Palestinian state and its ability to absorb refugees, the document may undermine the administration’s ability to build an international coalition behind its policies.

Feb 4, 2020

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Syria’s Economic Crisis Sparks Rare Protests in Regime Territory

Besides highlighting Assad’s financial mismanagement, the recent unrest gives the international community a genuine opportunity to push for transition while bolstering the more prosperous local administration in the northeast.

Jan 31, 2020

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Oula A. Alrifai

Articles & Testimony

Here’s How the U.S. Can Pressure Lebanon’s New Government to Tackle Corruption

Designating corrupt businessmen and officials under the Global Magnitsky Act would offer a tangible response to the persistent anti-sectarian demands of Lebanese protesters.

Jan 26, 2020

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Hanin Ghaddar
Matthew Levitt

Russian president Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov

Brief Analysis

Russia’s Growing Interests in Libya

As in other conflict zones, Moscow cares little about reaching a peace deal so long as it can outmaneuver the West strategically while securing port and energy access—with private contractors playing an increasingly important role.

Jan 24, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

U.S. Do’s and Don’ts in Iraq

To ensure that new protests, new sanctions, and new political leadership wind up helping rather than hindering Iraqi sovereignty, Washington must handle upcoming developments with great care.

Jan 23, 2020

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Behind Rouhani’s Uranium Enrichment Claim

His troubling numbers could be accurate given Iran’s past JCPOA violations and large number of operational centrifuges.

Jan 17, 2020

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Elana DeLozier

Brief Analysis

Ceasefire or Escalation in Libya?

After the fall of Sirte, Erdogan and Putin’s desired ceasefire can only be achieved with Washington’s support.

Jan 10, 2020

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Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

Eight Reasons Why the United States and Iraq Still Need Each Other

A host of crucial multilateral interests are baked into the U.S. presence, from keeping the Islamic State down, to protecting vulnerable regional allies, to preventing Iran from taking Iraq's oil revenues.

Jan 9, 2020

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah’s Moment of Truth

The group has promised bloody retribution for Suleimani’s death, but in reality it will likely stay focused on rebuilding its own diminished stature at home.

Jan 8, 2020

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Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

Iran May Want Revenge for Soleimani, But It May Need Restraint Instead

The incident might convince Khamenei and his advisors that their meddling in the Middle East is jeopardizing the regime’s domestic stability.

Jan 4, 2020

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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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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.