Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

The Day After: Responding to an Israeli Strike on Iran

To mitigate adverse consequences, Washington would need to take a number of steps before and after an Israeli strike, some of which might run counter to its instincts and preferences.

Sep 27, 2012

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

As Jordan Stumbles, the U.S. Response Is Crucial

Washington should work closely with Amman, providing alternatives to rash changes that some will advocate as a way to stay ahead of the region's political tidal wave.

Sep 19, 2012

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Tehran Adds to the Pressure on Iran's Economy

Iran's economy has taken a turn for the worse, primarily due to poor domestic policies as well as international sanctions. But it would be unduly optimistic to think this will change the regime's nuclear stance.

Sep 17, 2012

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

How to Send Egypt a Message

The Morsi government is encouraging anti-American unrest; the Obama administration must now send a clear signal back.

Sep 12, 2012

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David Schenker
Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Israel's Natural Gas Challenges

A top-level Israeli government committee has produced a blueprint for exploitation of substantial natural gas reserves, but solutions must still be devised for a range of technical, commercial, and political problems.

Sep 7, 2012

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Fresh Concerns about Health of Saudi King

Saudi Arabia's aging leadership is in transition, potentially hindering Washington's policies on Syria and Iran.

Aug 27, 2012

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

The Other Threat to Oil Supplies:

Shiite Tensions in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain

Violence in eastern Saudi Arabia and continuing tension in Bahrain are reminders that Gulf oil exports face other threats besides potential Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Jul 16, 2012

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Oil Sanctions against Iran Will Not Be Enough

Predictably, last week's "expert level" talks between Iran and world powers were no more fruitful than previous rounds, leaving little optimism for a negotiated resolution to the nuclear crisis anytime soon. Western policymakers, buoyed by their success in reducing Iran's oil exports, appear content to give sanctions more time to

Jul 8, 2012

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Michael Singh

In-Depth Reports

The Unexpected Vitality of Turkish-Israeli Trade

Given that political tensions continue to run high between Turkey and Israel, it would be inaccurate to describe their relations as good, or even on the mend. At the same time, booming trade ties and other economic indicators suggest that the two countries have great potential for a fresh start

Jun 28, 2012

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Soner Cagaptay
Tyler Evans

Brief Analysis

Iran Confident As Sanctions Tighten

Iran sees itself in a strong position relative to the West and therefore believes it has little reason to be forthcoming in nuclear negotiations.

Jun 26, 2012

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Patrick Clawson
Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Putin's Trip to Israel Could Challenge Washington

The Russian leader's visit is expected to provide competition for U.S. diplomatic leadership on issues such as natural gas, Iran, and Syria.

Jun 22, 2012

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Revolution in Egypt: Turning Point?

Sixteen months on, the transition in Egypt is not over; indeed, it is just beginning. On the eve of the Muslim Brotherhood's presidential victory, former senior Defense Department official David Schenker testified on how Washington should use its limited leverage in Cairo in the near term, offering a detailed status

Jun 20, 2012

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Another Saudi Actuarial Disaster

Washington woke on Saturday to the news of the death of Crown Prince Nayef, who was next in line for the Saudi throne. The collective sigh of relief by senior U.S. officials was almost audible -- even though, within hours, President Barack Obama issued a statement about his "great regret"

Jun 18, 2012

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Energy Discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean: Source for Cooperation or Fuel for Tension?

The Case of Israel

This week, the German Marshall Fund published Energy Discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean: Source for Cooperation or Fuel for Tension? The Case of Israel, a new report by Washington Institute senior fellow Simon Henderson. Focusing on the challenge of exploiting newly found natural gas reserves off the coasts of Israel

Jun 15, 2012

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Simon Henderson

In-Depth Reports

Russia's Relations with Iran:

Dialogue without Commitments

Under current conditions, it would be naive to expect Russia to severely curtail its relations with Tehran or officially support the West's stance on the nuclear question. Given Iran's importance as a regional player, Moscow simply cannot afford confrontation with its southern neighbor. At the same time, Russia's pragmatic, cost-benefit

Jun 11, 2012

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Nikolay Kozhanov

Brief Analysis

Prospects for Success in the Iran Nuclear Negotiations

While Tehran may be preparing the ground for an interim agreement on terms the West would accept, any deal-in-principle would have to be finalized, put into practice, and followed by fuller agreements.

May 18, 2012

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Patrick Clawson
Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Sanctions Are Only a Stop-Gap

The question is not whether sanctions have worked but whether the strategy they serve is correct.

May 9, 2012

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Patrick Clawson

Brief Analysis

Implications of Egypt's Gas Cut-Off with Israel

Cairo's otherwise disappointing decision to freeze Israel's gas supplies gives Washington an opportunity to separate its Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean energy policies.

Apr 23, 2012

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Simon Henderson
David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

A Crisis of Confidence

From failing European economies to staggering murder rates in Central America, there's no shortage of crises on the agenda as the International Monetary Fund holds its annual spring meeting in Washington this week. Of all the problems within the IMF's purview, however, the ongoing economic deterioration in Egypt may be

Apr 17, 2012

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Russian Energy Strategy Makes Partners of Rivals

On April 2-4, a high-ranking delegation from Islamabad visited Moscow to discuss whether Russian energy giant Gazprom will help construct the ambitious gas pipeline between Pakistan and Iran. Although the outcome of the talks is still unknown, analysts suggest that the Russian company's involvement in the project would align perfectly

Apr 16, 2012

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Nikolay Kozhanov

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.