Middle East Stability

Defense Secretary Robert Gates Travels To Mideast

Oil prices surged following Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court announcement of the death of King Abdullah on Friday. Brent crude climbed as much as 2.6 percent, while West Texas Intermediate jumped 3.1 percent, following the announcement. It is yet to be seen whether Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest oil producer, will change its policies with respect to its oil output, but many analysts do not expect Saudi’s oil policies to change with the crowning of King Abdullah’s half-brother, Crown Prince Salman. In fact, Bloomberg reports that King Salman announced he will maintain the policies of his predecessor and that Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi will remain in his post.

Iraqi Voters Go To The Polls

Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, suggests in an article titled “What can the Middle East learn from the US shale boom?” three ways for regional policymakers to bring interconnectivity to the Middle East’s oil and gas market as well as accompanying infrastructure. These steps are intended – in his words – to “unleash a… Keep reading →

President Obama Speaks On Iran Nuclear Deal

At present, Iran is unlikely to accept more limitations on its nuclear activities, but that doesn’t mean Washington has to settle for a watered-down deal that further damages U.S. strategic interests. The Obama administration appears headed toward a nuclear agreement that will do little more than memorialize the limited Iranian concessions made in last year’s… Keep reading →

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