Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

The ‘Rebuild Syria’ Exhibition: Iranian Influence and U.S. Sanctions

This year’s show provides a window into Tehran’s strategy for cementing its soft power, and may point to potential sanctions violations by companies from U.S. partner countries.

Sep 17, 2019

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Oula A. Alrifai

Articles & Testimony

Trump Must React to the Attacks on Saudi Arabia. But a Quick Fix Won’t Be Enough.

U.S. pressure has put Iran in a corner economically but not politically or militarily, so the Supreme Leader seems to believe there is little to lose unless Washington shows it will ease sanctions or launch strikes.

Sep 16, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

A Credibility Test for U.S.-Saudi Defense Relations and Iran Deterrence

The suspected missile attack is the most significant strike on Gulf energy targets in decades, and consequences need to be levied on Iran, whether in the military or diplomatic spheres.

Sep 16, 2019

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Iran’s Strength and Strategy Show with Saudi Oilfield Attacks

So far, Tehran appears to have judged quite well what it can get away with, a track record that will likely give Riyadh pause as it considers its response.

Sep 16, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Tunisians to Elect a New President

With no clear front-runner emerging and public disillusionment mounting, the struggling Arab democracy is transitioning from a period of consensus to uncertainty.

Sep 13, 2019

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Sarah Feuer

Articles & Testimony

The Development of Tunisia’s Domestic Counter-Terrorism Finance Capability

The country is fast becoming a regional leader in meeting global CT norms, developing the necessary toolkits, and integrating its efforts with those of foreign governments.

Sep 10, 2019

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Katherine Bauer

Brief Analysis

The Challenges Facing the New Saudi Oil Minister

Riyadh’s hopes of raising money through a partial sell-off of Saudi Aramco depend on the price of oil, which failed to rise sufficiently under the previous minister.

Sep 10, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers public remarks.

Brief Analysis

Is Iran Negotiating Its Way to Negotiations?

While Tehran’s internal debate about engagement with Washington intensifies, its words and actions already seem to be shaping—even unintentionally—the terms of any future talks.

Aug 30, 2019

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Omer Carmi

Articles & Testimony

The Flaw in Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign Toward Iran

Tehran won’t change its behavior without the prospect of real economic relief, coupled with the threat of meaningful consequences for bringing the region to the brink of war.

Aug 29, 2019

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Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul

Brief Analysis

Arab States Give China a Pass on Uyghur Crackdown

Leaders in the Middle East have calculated that defending the Muslim minority is not worth the risk of losing Chinese economic, political, and military assistance.

Aug 26, 2019

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Haisam Hassanein

Articles & Testimony

The U.S.-Iranian Scuffle Over a Ship Is a Sideshow to Events in the Gulf

Thus far, Britain’s willingness to stand firm in the Persian Gulf has been more consequential than Washington’s legal challenge in the Mediterranean Sea.

Aug 22, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Egypt Takes Another Step Toward China

Port projects and other outreach may help President Sisi check off some of his policy goals, but giving China such a foothold could threaten a number of U.S. interests in the region.

Aug 19, 2019

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Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Will Turkey and China Become Friends?

Despite their limited economic relations and ongoing differences over the Uyghur issue, the two countries could grow closer if Western partners fail to provide the financial boost Turkey needs so badly.

Aug 14, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Militias Are Threatening Public Safety in Iraq

Exploding ammo dumps are only one of many problems posed by out-of-control militias, making it more urgent than ever to warehouse heavy weapons, halt mass detentions, and protect Iraqis and Iraq’s investors alike.

Aug 14, 2019

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Michael Knights
Alex Almeida

Brief Analysis

Turkey’s Rising Wave of Social Protests

This year’s Istanbul election and last year’s move to a presidential system have unified and galvanized the opposition, raising questions about Erdogan’s next move.

Aug 12, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Growing Anti-Syrian Sentiment in Turkey

Refugees are being blamed for the country’s economic and social troubles, resulting in online hate speech, vigilante violence, and further pressure on the government to change the status quo in north Syria.

Aug 5, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Twenty Years Under King Mohammed VI (Part 2): Foreign Policy Developments

The king has invested considerable diplomatic capital in Africa, Europe, the United States, and China, but the longstanding Western Sahara dispute remains a source of tension with neighboring Algeria.

Jul 29, 2019

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Sarah Feuer
Reda Ayadi

Brief Analysis

The Road Ahead on Iran Policy: Toward a Multilateral Strategy

Iran’s recent actions in the region challenge the core interests of many American allies, and rallying those partners around shared objectives would give U.S. policy a better chance of success.

Jul 26, 2019

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Twenty Years Under King Mohammed VI (Part 1): Domestic Developments

America’s oldest Arab ally has made significant economic progress since 1999, but grievances regarding social issues and political reform continue to pose a challenge.

Jul 25, 2019

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Sarah Feuer
Reda Ayadi

Brief Analysis

Turkey’s Energy Confrontation with Cyprus

While much of the world is focused on the Strait of Hormuz, tensions are also mounting rapidly in the East Mediterranean.

Jul 24, 2019

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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.