Oil and gas

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