Energy & Economics

Policy Analysis on Energy & Economics

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

Brief Analysis

The Challenge of Containing Iran's Enrichment Activities

With talks between the P5+1 (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany) and Iran set to resume in Istanbul on April 13, officials are discussing possible compromises that might persuade Tehran to give up any ambition of developing nuclear weapons. Apparently, one of the principal components of these

Apr 12, 2012

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Simon Henderson
Olli Heinonen

Brief Analysis

What Iran Might Gain from a Nuclear Deal

If Iran decides to seriously negotiate during upcoming nuclear talks -- currently scheduled to begin this weekend in Istanbul -- what might it expect to gain from the resultant deal? Probably not much, because even a comprehensive agreement on nuclear issues would not close the profound geostrategic split between Washington

Apr 11, 2012

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Patrick Clawson

Video

Brief Analysis

Iraqi Kurdistan as U.S. Ally and Partner in the Middle East

On April 5, 2012, His Excellency Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. The following is a rapporteur's summary of his remarks. IRAQ'S INTERNAL POLITICAL CRISIS AND U.S. POLICY Despite a budding national political crisis originating from the consolidation of

Apr 10, 2012

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Masoud Barzani

Brief Analysis

Party of Fraud: Hizballah's Criminal Enterprises

On March 19, 2012, Michael Braun, David Asher, and Matthew Levitt addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Mr. Braun, a managing partner with Spectre Group International, is former assistant administrator and chief of operations at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Dr. Asher, a senior fellow at Center for

Mar 22, 2012

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Michael Braun
David Asher
Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Gas Partnership: Netanyahu Visits Cyprus

Netanyahu's trip to Cyprus, the first by an Israeli prime minister, reflects increasing cooperation between the two countries over natural gas resources but will likely heighten tensions with Turkey.

Feb 15, 2012

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Iran Is Ready to Talk

Speculation about an Israeli strike against Iranian nuclear facilities is rife, but there is little discussion about whether diplomacy can still succeed, precluding the need for military action. Many experts doubt that Tehran would ever accept a deal that uses intrusive inspections and denies or limits uranium enrichment to halt

Feb 15, 2012

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Dennis Ross

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.