Analysis New nuclear deal is no silver bullet for Iran's untapped gas reserves Iran has an estimated 32 trillion cubic meters of natural gas reserves, but it has been unable to exploit them under the weight of international sanctions. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Why IRGC’s shadow empire is set to endure even as Iran’s economy spirals With the ability to operate clandestinely, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps wields significant power across Iran's most important sectors — insulating the organization from current economic turmoil, according to experts. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Syria to develop first offshore oil, gas field with US’s Chevron, Qatar’s UCC In 2013, Russian firm Soyuzneftegaz signed a deal to explore for oil and gas in Syrian waters, but the project was dropped two years later due to the civil war. Syria
Kuwait to open offshore oil, gas fields to foreign firms: What to know The Gulf country and OPEC member has made significant oil and gas discoveries since 2023. Kuwait
Congress adds new irritant in US-Turkey relations with pro-Cyprus push Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee want to lift the arms sale ban on the disputed island. Turkey
Iran signals change to FX regime, crackdown on profiteering The Iranian authorities said renewed turbulence on foreign exchange markets will be short-lived as signals were sent that a crackdown on profiteering is ahead. United States
Russia expands ties in Lebanon’s oil, gas sector Russia has gotten a huge head start on the United States in gaining access to Lebanon’s oil and gas sector, allowing Moscow to continue to strengthen its economic position across the Middle East. Israel
Egypt takes another whack at fuel subsidies Egypt's draft budget for fiscal year 2019/20 includes a 42% cut in fuel subsidies, raising concerns among drivers across the country. Egypt
Iran threatened by Russia-Saudi oil pact Oil dealings between Moscow and Riyadh raise suspicions in Tehran, but Iran may soon learn they have a silver lining. Saudi Arabia
Oil smugglers can count on corruption in Iraq More than a year after Mosul was liberated from the Islamic State, oil smuggling continues in the area. Iraq
Top Russian security officials tour Egypt, Gulf to discuss Syria, Libya Over the space of a week, top officials in the Russian security apparatus toured Saudia Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt with some intriguing proposals on Syria and Libya. Saudi Arabia
Ankara set to boost naval posture with major exercise Turkey may be planning an ambitious air-naval military drill that would span three seas. Palestine
Is new energy league an alliance against Ankara? A Cairo-based partnership among Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority is ready to explore energy sources in the eastern Mediterranean — whether Turkey likes it or not. Palestine
US sanctions and the dynamics of Iran’s petroleum sector While US sanctions are hitting Iran’s key energy sector hard, the industry remains set to advance, albeit at a slower pace and with a lower level of technology. Iran
Congress sees unprecedented opportunity to confront OPEC For the first time since OPEC’s formation, both the White House and Congress appear to be on the same page when it comes to suing the oil cartel for violating the US antitrust law. Saudi Arabia
Why the Rouhani administration must eliminate energy subsidies Despite pressure from lawmakers and the general public, the Rouhani administration must proceed with fuel-subsidy reform in order to relieve itself of avoidable financial burdens. Iran
