Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Clarifying Freedom of Navigation in the Gulf

Legal ambiguities have led to disagreements over how vessels can use the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf, so Washington should highlight them in any future talks with Iran.

Jul 24, 2019

◆

Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Sanctions on Iraqi Political Figures: Shaping the Impact and Message

The United States is now designating politicians who place personal or Iranian interests above the needs of the Iraqi people, but these efforts could go awry if locals don’t understand the justification or consequences.

Jul 19, 2019

◆

Michael Knights

A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Response to Britain’s Tanker Seizure

Recent Iranian rhetoric and actions point to further retaliation, but taking that route may lead to the same strategic miscalculations and international intervention that cost the country so dearly in the 1980s.

Jul 15, 2019

◆

Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Iraqi Kurdistan’s New Government

After months of delay, the new cabinet must get up to speed quickly in order to put KRG-federal relations on solid legal ground, curtail Iranian influence, and unify the Peshmerga.

Jul 11, 2019

◆

Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Iran Crisis Moves Into Cyberspace

Iranian cyber actors are showing signs of battlespace preparation, so the United States should heed the lessons of past attacks and bolster its defensive posture.

Jul 9, 2019

◆

Micah Loudermilk

Brief Analysis

Khamenei Will See Sanctions on Him as a Direct Challenge to the Revolution

The Supreme Leader regards his rule as the central feature of the Islamic Revolution, so the latest White House order will seem like a shot at the entire system.

Jun 27, 2019

◆

Patrick Clawson
Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Resolving the PA Funding Crisis, But Not in Bahrain

Rather than pinning false hopes on the Manama conference, the international community should focus on reforming the Paris Protocol and convincing the Palestinians to resume revenue transfers from Israel.

Jun 24, 2019

◆

Katherine Bauer

Brief Analysis

Bahrain’s Hopes and Fears for the Peace Conference

Although the island may reap diplomatic kudos and economic benefits for hosting such a high-profile event, the potential reactions of domestic sectarian communities and nearby Iran remain a concern.

Jun 24, 2019

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iran-Backed Militias Test the Credibility of Iraq’s Prime Minister

Rockets continue to fall on American facilities, part of a deliberate effort to keep Baghdad from making Iraq a neutral crossroads in the region.

Jun 19, 2019

◆

Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

The Middle East and the U.S.-China 'Trade War'

The price of oil is often directly related to global economic prospects, so Washington’s tariff tiff with Beijing could hit regional states doubly hard.

Jun 19, 2019

◆

David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Trump Is a Belligerent Isolationist. But on Iran, He Needs Allies.

If the president wants to blunt Tehran’s sabotage campaign without a war, he needs to work closely with countries that share a stake in the free flow of oil.

Jun 19, 2019

◆

Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Iran Is Winning, but U.S. Has Options, in Gulf Crisis

Among other steps, Washington should release more intelligence on Tehran’s efforts to target energy assets while urging Gulf and European allies to visibly step up their military posture.

Jun 17, 2019

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

China’s Middle East Policy: Speak Softly and Wave a Large Purse

An Israeli analyst shares observations from an intensive round of discussions with senior Chinese military, diplomatic, and academic officials.

Jun 17, 2019

◆

Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

Iran Seems Prepared for Major—But Measured—Escalation in the Gulf

The latest round of shipping attacks could be another notch in Tehran’s controlled military response to U.S. pressure, and bolder escalatory actions should be expected given the bleak outlook for negotiations.

Jun 14, 2019

◆

Farzin Nadimi

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.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

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.