Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

Iran Can Afford to Say No to a Nuclear Deal

The Islamic Republic has taken tough measures to adjust to the new sanctions, and its economy is now positioned to grow modestly even if the sanctions remain in place.

Jul 17, 2014

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

Palestinian Natural Gas Ambitions

A closer look at the legal, economic, and political issues surrounding gas and oil exploration off Gaza's coast, including associated power plant proposals and other ventures.

May 30, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Australian Company's Exit Reflects Israel's Natural Gas Challenges

Woodside's decision shows how Israel will need to cement its foreign partnerships, investments, and export routes in order to take full advantage of its growing gas surplus.

May 22, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Gulf Cooperation Council:

Deepening Rifts and Emerging Challenges

Long considered a bulwark against instability since its establishment in 1981, the Gulf Cooperation Council -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman -- is now exhibiting an alarming degree of discord.

May 22, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iraq's Election Results: Avoiding a Kurdish Split

The votes are in, but Baghdad will need to resuscitate the revenue-sharing deal with the Kurds in order to steady the already-troubled government formation process.

May 21, 2014

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Michael Knights

Video

In-Depth Reports

America's Shifting Energy Landscape and Middle East Policy

A revolution in domestic production may bring the United States closer to energy independence, but American energy security will continue to depend on global markets and the stability of Middle East exports.

May 8, 2014

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Elizabeth Rosenberg
Simon Henderson

Video

In-Depth Reports

Strategy and Leadership: America's Core Challenges in the Middle East

Martin Indyk, U.S. special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, diagnosed the collapse of recent peace talks in a frank keynote address to the Institute's 2014 Weinberg Founders Conference. Watch his remarks and download a transcript. Also view other sessions, with speakers including Sen. Tim Kaine, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, and former French ambassador to Washington Jean-David Levitte.

May 7, 2014

Brief Analysis

Egypt Emerges as a Route for Israeli Natural Gas Exports

Piping Israeli gas to liquefaction plants in Egypt is the most commercially logical option but remains politically risky.

May 6, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

The Terrorist Funding Disconnect with Qatar and Kuwait

Washington should look for small changes in Kuwait and Qatar's political and security calculus that could provide opportunities to support counter-terrorist financing measures there.

May 2, 2014

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Brief Analysis

The U.S. Role in Iraq's Postelection Politics

Washington has rightfully avoided backing a candidate in next week's elections, but it should still use counterterrorism assistance and other levers to push Baghdad on pluralism and KRG oil revenue sharing during the presumably lengthy transition period.

Apr 24, 2014

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Israeli Financial Measures Against the Palestinian Authority

Israel has gotten few positive results from past financial measures against the PA, and both sides risk miscalculation and escalation when they employ unilateral tactics.

Apr 11, 2014

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Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

Understanding the Gulf States

A closer look at the most pressing economic, diplomatic, territorial, and succession issues in each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Mar 31, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Natural Gas in the Palestinian Authority: The Potential of the Gaza Marine Offshore Field

Supplying more reliable electricity to West Bank and Gaza residents could help change the political atmosphere and enable more diplomatic progress in the future.

Mar 28, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

What If the Ukraine Crisis Affects the Iran File?

Given Moscow's potential ability to undermine Iran diplomacy, Washington has yet another compelling reason to reestablish faith in -- and fear of -- America's willingness to use military strength.

Mar 28, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Gulf Arabs in Crisis

The withdrawal of several ambassadors from Qatar is a setback to U.S. diplomacy with Gulf allies and another item for President Obama's upcoming meeting with the Saudi king.

Mar 5, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Threats to Israel: Trade Boycotts

The threat of European boycotts against Israel is much more potential than real, but it is gradually gaining ground as an unofficial movement and could surge if the current peace talks fail.

Mar 5, 2014

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Turkey's Muted Reaction to the Crimean Crisis

Issues such as energy dependence, deep-rooted fears of the Russian military, and Black Sea navigation policy all offer clues to Prime Minister Erdogan's vacillating response to Russian activities in Crimea.

Mar 4, 2014

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Soner Cagaptay
James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

The Ukraine Crisis and the Middle East

The Ukraine situation will affect Washington's Middle Eastern priorities, but not to such a degree that it will stymie a strong U.S. response to Russian actions, since America has the power to act in the region without Moscow if necessary. Ukraine could well make it necessary.

Mar 3, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

How Ukraine Will Shape the Future of the Middle East

By showing leadership in its response to the Russian intervention, Washington can open a new conversation with its regional allies regarding Syria, Iran, and Egypt.

Mar 2, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Video

Brief Analysis

Book Event: The Rise of Turkey at the Ralph J. Bunche Library

On January 27, 2014, Dr. Soner Cagaptay presented insights from his book, The Rise of Turkey, and discussed Turkey's future during a special event at the Ralph J. Bunche Library of the U.S. Department of State.

Feb 24, 2014

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Soner Cagaptay

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.

Henry Rome

Henry Rome was a Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, specializing in Iran sanctions, economic, and nuclear issues.

Michael Singh

Michael Singh is the Managing Director and Lane-Swig Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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