انرژی و اقتصاد

Policy Analysis on انرژی و اقتصاد

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in 2018 - source: Reuters

A Russian Win in Ukraine Would Be a U.S. Loss in the Middle East

With preparatory peace talks in full swing and the war set to enter its fourth year, Washington must take a pragmatic approach to enlisting Arab help and ensuring that the outcome does not empower Moscow and Iran.

۱۸ فوریهٔ ۲۰۲۵

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Illustration of chess pieces and the Russian and Ukrainian flags - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Ukraine Can Help Dismantle Russia’s Influence in the Middle East

With strategic Western support on grain deliveries, embassy staffing, counter-messaging, and other initiatives, Ukraine can contribute much to rolling back Moscow’s malign influence in the region.

۱۱ فوریهٔ ۲۰۲۵

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Anna Borshchevskaya

A Houthi helicopter approaches a civilian cargo ship in the Red Sea in 2023 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Despite the Houthi Pledge to Limit Attacks, the Red Sea Remains Highly Volatile

The Houthis have shown little willingness or ability to accurately distinguish between the ships they target, leaving Washington and its partners with no choice but to doubt the group’s supposed “ceasefire” and keep up the pressure.

۲۷ ژانویهٔ ۲۰۲۵

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Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

President Donald Trump meeting with King Salman in Saudi Arabia in 2017 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Expect the Unexpected with Trump and the Gulf

Whatever the new administration decides on major regional issues—from Gulf involvement in postwar Gaza to next steps on Iran—local leaders should be prepared to wait awhile and brace for surprises.

۲۴ ژانویهٔ ۲۰۲۵

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Making Iran Choose Between the Bomb and Bankruptcy

The regime’s fears of new oil restrictions, simmering domestic unrest, eroding regional deterrence, and unpredictable U.S.-Israeli military action can all be leveraged to steer Khamenei away from racing toward a nuclear weapon.

۱۳ ژانویهٔ ۲۰۲۵

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Hamdi Malik

Articles & Testimony

In Syria, the U.S. Can Help Rebuild While Supplanting Russian Influence

Moscow’s position has weakened, but not for long, raising the need for quick U.S. action on sanctions, investments, and broader economic assistance.

۱۱ ژانویهٔ ۲۰۲۵

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Anna Borshchevskaya

French President Macron and Moroccan King Mohammed VI in Rabat - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

EU-Morocco Relations: Stuck Between Law and Politics?

If Washington and its European partners fail to remediate ongoing disputes over trade rights and Western Sahara, they may leave room for Russia and China to assert more influence in the kingdom.

۸ ژانویهٔ ۲۰۲۵

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Souhire Medini

Brief Analysis

Expanding C-SIPA to Britain Signals Continued Commitment to Integration

By adding Britain ahead of Trump’s inauguration, the parties hope to sustain the agreement’s vision of building an integrated defense structure and forming a network of trusted partners for economic and technological development.

۹ دسامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Elizabeth Dent

Brief Analysis

Mismanagement Makes Iran Vulnerable to a Different Type of U.S. Pressure

The country faces shortages of gasoline, natural gas, and electricity that make it newly susceptible to pressure against its oil product imports, not just its oil exports.

۴ دسامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Patrick Clawson

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Gulf Energy Transition: Assessing Saudi and Emirati Goals

The energy transition in both countries includes a continued need for fossil fuels while reducing emissions—though Riyadh hopes to export “all forms of energy” down the road, and Abu Dhabi seeks nuclear advances to meet power demand.

۸ نوامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan

Articles & Testimony

Gulf Leaders: "Welcome Back Donald, It’s Time to Get Down to Business"

Many leaders seem eager for the return of a U.S. administration that has shown a predilection for encouraging big business ties—though the ten weeks before Inauguration Day will be fraught with risks of new or escalated regional crises.

۷ نوامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Egypt’s Economic Reforms Must Continue

Since receiving $57 billion earlier this year, Cairo has enacted several reforms and named a new economic team, but President Sisi must allow for additional improvements.

۳۰ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴

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Ben Fishman

EU vessel participating in Operation Aspides against the Houthis.

Maps & Graphics

The Ship Operators Shrugging Off Houthi Attacks

While major operators will continue to avoid the Red Sea in 2025, others are launching new services in the high-risk waterway, including some that manage China-linked vessels.

۱۶ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan

◆ Maritime Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Deciphering Iraqi Militia Threats of an Energy War

Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah have warned they will attack energy facilities in the Gulf and elsewhere, but how serious are these threats?

۱۵ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

Why Israel Should Focus on Iranian Military and Security Targets, Not Oil Infrastructure

Despite significant vulnerabilities, the redundancies in Iran’s energy production would limit the effects of any strike, while the consequences for Israeli, Gulf, and global energy markets could be significant.

۱۱ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴

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Farzin Nadimi
Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Turkey Wants to Stitch Iraq and Syria Back Together (Part 2)

Ankara’s push for “soft recentralization” in Iraq will likely include more intensive efforts to establish the Development Road and prioritize Baghdad’s interests, though without abandoning the Kurdistan Region.

۸ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia Signals Oil Policy Shift

The kingdom anticipates and accepts lower oil prices, according to a news report, but the impact on other producers could be comparatively damaging.

۲۷ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Simon Henderson

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed walks with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in September 2024 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

UAE President’s White House Visit Is About Much More Than Mere Formalities

Besides strengthening both countries’ economies, the visit represents a new model of international partnership where traditional alliances intersect with cutting-edge innovation.

۲۱ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Nickolay Mladenov

UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

MbZ Visits Washington: Meeting Agendas and Regional Implications

The Emirati leader will likely focus on the future of bilateral economic and technological integration, but discussions will also cover sensitive matters such as great-power concerns over China and Russia, regional nuclear proliferation, and a potential role for his country in postwar Gaza.

۲۰ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Simon Henderson
Elizabeth Dent

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa in Riffa, Bahrain - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

U.S.-Bahrain Ties One Year After the Strategic Partnership Agreement

Two veteran ambassadors discuss bilateral efforts in the security, economic, and technology sectors, noting the agreement’s potential as a template for other countries in the region.

۱۱ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Steven C. Bondy
Sheikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa

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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