Oil and gas

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, right, meets with US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, in Baabda, east of Beirut, July 7, 2025.

Analysis

Lebanon key to Trump plan for turnaround in Middle East

The final "This Week" column reflects on US policy toward Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Oil tankers and cranes at Merchants Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Analysis

As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay?

A potential US crackdown on Russian oil buyers could disrupt global trade flows — and the Middle East stands to both benefit and lose.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

adnoc

Landmark $18.7B Santos-ADNOC takeover delayed: What to know

Santos said in a statement that the due diligence period, initially set for six weeks, has been extended until Aug. 22.

United Arab Emirates

A view of the platform of the Leviathan natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea is pictured from the Israeli northern coastal beach of Nahsholim, on Aug. 29, 2022.

$35B gas deal underscores Egypt’s energy reliance on Israel despite Gaza tensions

Israel and Egypt have finalized a $35 billion gas deal that will double Israeli gas exports by 2029, highlighting Cairo’s growing energy dependence on its neighbor, even as political tensions rise over Gaza.

Latest News

China's oil imports fall 5.4% as Iranian flows recede from June highs

A ship loaded with oil docks at a pier with the help of a tugboat at the port of Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on June 12, 2025.

UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Artem Geodakyan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ARTEM GEODAKYAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Iran to close public offices as temperatures pass 105 F: What to know

An Iranian taxi driver cools down by splashing water on his face on a street amid soaring temperatures in Tehran on July 22, 2025.

Aramco's Q2 profits fall 22% as lower oil prices weigh on earnings

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais

OPEC on hunt for new members, secretary-general says

The oil cartel currently has 13 members, and 10 more countries form the OPEC+ group.

Screenshot of video captured of M/T Richmond Voyager being approached by an Iranian naval vessel during an attempt to unlawfully seize the commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman, July 5, 2023.

Shots fired as Iran tries to seize oil tankers in Gulf of Oman, US Navy says

The United States said Iran’s navy opened fire on a commercial tanker while attempting to seize it off the coast of Oman, in the latest tense encounter since Washington has moved to block sanctioned exports of Iranian petroleum.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

At OPEC, Saudi Arabia defends oil cuts with Russia despite mild market reaction

The kingdom's energy minister called for more industry transparency, despite several news organizations being prohibited from reporting on the OPEC conference he was speaking at.

A picture shows the Iranian South Pars quarter one (SPQ1) gas platform in the Gulf near Qatar's territorial waters on Jan. 26, 2011.

Kuwait rejects Iran's drilling plans in disputed gas field in Gulf

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding dispute with Iran over the Durra gas field. The recent disagreement follows improvement in Iran's relations with both countries.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman looks on during a press conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, Vienna, Austria, Oct. 5, 2022.

Saudi Arabia extends oil production cut in attempt to increase prices

Russia also moved to tighten supply, announcing it would reduce oil exports to 500,000 bpd in August.

Oil rig in California

Oil prices reach fourth quarterly decline on fears of economic slowdown

Benchmark Brent crude futures for September were up 82 cents, or 1.1%, at $75.33 a barrel on Friday.

Saudi Arabia Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (2L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (R).

Top Saudi officials travel to China to attend 'Summer Davos' as ties deepen

The kingdom’s economy minister and other top officials will participate in the so-called Summer Davos as China-Saudi ties continue to gain momentum.

A worker is seen at the Tawke oil refinery near the village of Zacho, in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region, May 31, 2009.

Analysis

How Iraq’s new budget affects oil arrangement with Kurdistan region

The success of Iraq's largest-ever budget is partially dependent on oil prices, and follows the federal government asserting more control over the Kurdistan Region's oil sector.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

This photo taken on March 7, 2023 shows a cargo ship powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) loaded with containers at a port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

China signs major LNG deal with Qatar as Beijing’s Gulf push continues

QatarEnergy inked a 27-year agreement with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to provide 4 million tons of LNG per year.

An Israeli Nature and Parks Authority employee dives in the Red Sea to remove corals that grew on columns supporting the Europe Asia Pipeline.

Israel to build land fiber-optic cable between Mediterranean, Red seas

Israel's Finance Ministry reached an agreement with an Israel state-owned energy company to construct a multi-optic-fiber between Ashkelon and Eilat, with the goal of turning the country into an international communication corridor.

A picture shows the beach in the town of Beit Lahia with a view of the towers of an Israeli power plant in the city of Askelon, northern Gaza Strip, Dec. 15, 2021.

Israel to work with Egypt, Palestine to develop Gaza gas field

After years of objection, Israel finally agrees to the development of the Marine undersea natural gas field, off the Gaza coast.

Vladimir Putin, Abdelmadjid Tebboune

Analysis

Algeria’s Tebboune uses reliable partner status to secure Russian arms

Russia's invasion of Ukraine put Algeria in an awkward place, as it plans to walk the diplomatic tightrope with Russia and the West.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech