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EnergySource

Mar 19, 2018

Saudi Aramco’s downstream push will increase its value

By Jean-Francois Seznec

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the United States Monday to much fanfare. One of the hot topics during the crown prince’s visit is the long-expected, much-anticipated privatization of Saudi Aramco. One major unanswered question surrounding the plan for privatization is where Saudi leadership wants to locate the initial public offering (IPO) for […]

Energy Markets & Governance Oil and Gas

Trade in Action

Mar 19, 2018

TRADE IN ACTION March 16, 2018

By Global Business & Economics Program

HEADLINESMarch madness seems to transcend from sports to trade these days… On the US side: As the US President releases more details on the upcoming tariffs, there has also been considerable concern surrounding the national security justification behind the tariff package, as it might be creating precedent for other countries to do the same. President Trump also […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

MENASource

Mar 19, 2018

Going local in Libya

By Karim Mezran & Frank Talbot

The political situation in Libya has slowly reached one of apparent paralysis while the military situation is continually evolving with frequent clashes across the country. Given the lack of any progress, the whole approach undertaken by the international community has clearly failed and desperately needs a new strategy. Political negotiation alone, without one that engages […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2018

What Not to Expect from the Saudi Crown Prince

By Richard LeBaron

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States has energized the commentariat in Washington. Rarely have I seen more Middle East experts opining excitedly on the personality of and prospects for an Arab leader, on the significant change he has already brought to Saudi Arabia, and on the need to support his […]

International Organizations Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2018

Saudi Crown Prince Comes to Washington: 5 Things to Watch

By Owen Daniels

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) will arrive in Washington on March 19 for a visit to the United States that includes stops in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston.  In Washington, the crown prince will meet US President Donald J. Trump at the White House on March 20. He will […]

Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2018

The Battle Over Nord Stream II

By Rachel Ansley

Despite US sanctions, the Kremlin’s pursuit of a free hand to maintain dominance over Europe’s energy market by using Nord Stream II has sparked fierce debate among Western democracies over the importance of the proposed pipeline. “This is not about a pipeline,” said Agnia Grigas, a nonresident senior fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. […]

Russia

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2018

Here’s What to Expect From Yet Another Putin Presidency

By Anders Åslund

Vladimir Putin, who has ruled Russia for the past eighteen years, is set to rule for another six. It is almost predictable how he will act over the course of his next term in office. Putin has constructed a regime based on personal authoritarianism. This regime does not depend on ideology, party or family, but […]

Russia

EnergySource

Mar 16, 2018

Efforts to preserve the Iran deal made harder by the president’s moving goal posts

By David Mortlock

From the campaign trail to the Oval Office, US President Donald J. Trump has made no secret of his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and has more recently called for legislation and a new agreement with key European allies to supplement the deal. With the May 12 […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

Trade in Action

Mar 16, 2018

TRADE IN ACTION March 9, 2018

By Global Business & Economics Program

HEADLINESGlobal: The 11 member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) (Formerly TPP but now without the United States) signed the new trade agreement in Chile yesterday. 

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

IranSource

Mar 16, 2018

Dual Nationals and Environmentalists Ensnared in IRGC Attack on Rouhani

By Barbara Slavin

The intelligence branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has often targeted dual nationals in an effort to find scapegoats for Iran’s many problems. Its recent assault on environmentalists is particularly wrongheaded and cruel at a time when Iran faces unprecedented environmental challenges. Kavous Seyed-Emami, a Canadian-Iranian and respected advocate for endangered species in […]

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