Oil and gas

A man wearing a traditional cloth walks past national flags of Algeria near the Bay of Algiers in Algiers, on Aug. 25, 2022.

Analysis

Algeria hails new $60B energy plan but price slump threatens reform push

The OPEC member recently held its first oil and gas licensing round in a decade, attracting significant international interest and awarding five of six onshore blocks, signaling progress in its energy ambitions despite ongoing challenges.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chairs the annual meeting of the Caspian Sea littoral states foreign ministers, known as the Caspian Five, in Moscow, on Dec. 5, 2023.

Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills

The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations.

A picture taken from a station of Dubai's Palm Monorail, shows traffic on a road in Palm Jumeirah on August 28, 2025.

World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound

The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%.

People walk past a branch of Turkish bank HalkBank on Dec. 1, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions

The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.

Latest News

Kuwait seeks renewable energy boost as 14 GW power expansion plan takes shape

The sun sets behind overhead power lines as the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity requested citizens to ration their electricity usage at peak times due to outages caused by the increased pressure on power stations amid soaring temperatures and heightened energy demand, Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 19, 2024.

Analysis

Egypt’s renewable power jumps 34% as country tackles energy crunch

wind farm

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

What’s next for Saudi Arabia’s budget balancing act as deficit doubles?

A Riyadh Metro train makes its way along a track in the middle of a road in Riyadh on December 3, 2024.

Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know

Iranians drive next to a billboard displaying pictures of nuclear scientists, centrifuges and a sentence reading in Farsi, "Science is the power," at the Enqelab Square in Tehran, on Aug. 29, 2025.

refinery of Italian multinational oil and gas company ENI

Italy's ENI to tap North African gas for Europe

Europe’s race to reduce its energy dependence on Russia has put the spotlight on Algeria, Egypt and Libya, but their capacity to boost exports in the short term is limited and any significant increase would require large investments and stability.

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

US becomes Turkey's second biggest gas supplier, but for how long?

Turkey's second biggest gas supplier over the past winter was the United States, but Ankara may have to turn back to its neighbors to ensure it has sufficient supplies.

An electronic sign on a building shows the price of Brent crude oil in Hong Kong, March 9, 2022.

Brent crude falls nearly 10%, OPEC basket drops slightly

Saudi Arabia has acted to keep prices high recently against the wishes of the US.

An aerial view taken on April 12, 2022, shows the city of Mariupol, during Russia's military invasion launched on Ukraine.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Ukraine war worsens Middle East oil gap

Sudan’s Burhan accuses UN envoy; Egypt increases support for Sudan; Libya cracks down on human rights activists; Turkey’s farmers face economic pinch; Islamic State uses dust as cover in Iraq … all in less than 1,200 words!

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn

A man watches stock movements on a display at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange in the Gulf emirate on April 12, 2022.

UAE reports slight growth of non-oil GDP

The United Arab Emirates is undergoing economic changes as it aims to reduce its dependency on oil.

United Arab Emirates

One of the slogans displayed in street art by Chain Effect on Hamra Street, Beirut.

Culture

Bicycling movement sweeps Lebanon

As Lebanon is hit hard by a series of crises, fuel shortages aggravated by the Ukraine war have pushed many Lebanese to use bicycles as transportation.

A gas flare burns in a field close to the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk, 225 kms from Baghdad on Nov. 2, 2009.

Will renewed interest in Iraqi Kurdish gas fuel Turkey-Iran rivalry?

Western capitals are seeking alternative natural gas resources to reduce their dependence on Russia, which creates a possible opportunity for Iraqi Kurdish gas exports.

Guests attend the Global AI 2020 Summit in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Oct. 21, 2020.

Saudi Aramco pursues diversification with artificial intelligence center

The Saudi energy giant is flush with cash from oil sales abroad.

A worker is seen at an oil refinery near the village of Taq Taq, in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, May 31, 2009.

Report: oil production, profits stable in Iraqi Kurdistan

There have been a series of notable energy developments in Iraq recently.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak (C) speaks to the press.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Turkey thrust into spotlight amid Ukraine-Russia talks

Turkey acts as mediator in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Israel is on high alert after a wave of terrorist attacks, how drones are revolutionizing the battlefield, and more.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

Joe Snell

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti , Joe Snell

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

OPEC remains committed to oil production agreement with Russia

The Biden administration has been unable to get Gulf states to increase oil production to bring down prices and some European states are seeking alternatives to Russian natural gas.

Saudi economy

Saudi Arabian export stats show mixed results in non-oil commerce

Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy, but figures from January show it remains dependent on foreign oil sales.