Content

EnergySource

Mar 12, 2020

Oil market meltdown?

By John Soughan

Over the weekend of March 7–8, the breakdown of the previous oil production agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia led to the broader collapse of the arrangement between OPEC and OPEC+. What will the rift will mean for the global oil market?

Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance

MENASource

Mar 12, 2020

Israel exemplifies how to respond to the coronavirus

By Daniel J. Samet

Israel’s stringent policies may help enlighten other nations in search of answers.

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Mar 12, 2020

Strike on Iraqi base kills US and Coalition soldiers: How will the US respond?

By Atlantic Council

“The attack on Camp Taji is another sign that Iraq is returning slowly to the pre-2011 insurgency,” Abbas Kadhim says. “The Iraqi government is unfortunately incapable of controlling the various armed groups that have the ability to strike anywhere they want inside the country.”

Conflict Iraq

In the News

Mar 11, 2020

Slavin quoted in South China Morning Post on the spread of coronavirus in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran

Event Recap

Mar 11, 2020

Atlantic Council press call: Oil market meltdown: Price wars, coronavirus, and energy geopolitics

Last week’s breakdown of OPEC+ meetings in Vienna has turned a demand side driven decline in oil prices caused by the impacts of Coronavirus into an oil price war between two oil producing giants, with US shale production the ostensible target. If the standoff continues, however, the price war might ultimately do more harm to the Saudi and Russian economies. With increasing uncertainty about the depth of Coronavirus’ impact on global growth, the price war might also contribute to a sharp decline in the global economy. Helima Croft, David L. Goldwyn, Jean-Francois Seznec, Anders Aslund, and Randolph Bell discuss ongoing market volatility, the origins of the crisis, what’s next for US shale, and the implications of it all for energy and geopolitics

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

IranSource

Mar 11, 2020

How Iran’s new Quds Force commander could hurt the US in Afghanistan

By Obaidullah Obaid

A US-Taliban peace deal leaves the possibility of Iran-sponsored proxy groups such as the Fatemiyoun Brigade or Taliban breakaway factions to go after the downsized US troop presence or other American targets in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2020

Idlib presents Europe with another migration test

By David A. Wemer

"The case should be made for a partial reengagement of Europe towards Turkey," Ambassador Michel Duclos says. "A coalition of willing should help Turkey—especially in the field of counterterrorism—to assure an effective implementation of the Moscow agreement as the only way to avoid the above scenario of a reconquest of the region by Assad."

Conflict European Union

In the News

Mar 9, 2020

Lipner in Foreign Policy: Bibi is no Houdini

By Atlantic Council

Elections Israel

MENASource

Mar 9, 2020

Pseudo diplomacy in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

For nine years the West has chosen, in the context of Syria, to deny real power to its diplomats and its diplomacy.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2020

Saudi Arabia and Russia feud over coronavirus oil response: Will everyone lose?

By David A. Wemer

"While Russia’s decision last week not to support OPEC’s proposal for a production cut and the subsequent oil price war—which as of publishing has pushed Brent crude down more than 9 percent—is surely part of the larger story of the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, it is actually better understood as a geopolitical story about how US energy production growth has strengthened the United States’ international posture, which in turn has reshaped a number of global relationships," Randolph Bell says.

Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance

Experts

Events