Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Which airlines are cutting flights amid Hormuz fuel disruption? European and Asian airlines have been most impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is throttling jet fuel supplies. Iran
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Iran
Analysis Gulf energy deals face Iran war stress test as global expansion meets oil shock By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How long can Iran's economy weather US naval blockade? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Turkey's intel chief visits Libya following trip by CIA head Turkey’s intelligence chief Hakan Fidan paid a visit to Libya only days after his American counterpart, William Burns, traveled to the conflict-torn country. Turkey
Gas-rich Iran apologizes to citizens over chaotic shortages Despite sitting on the world's second-largest gas reserves, Iran has in recent days witnessed the chaotic management of its household gas heating, which is adding further to a host of unaddressed public grievances. Iran
Interview Oman banking on hydrogen, renewables in diversified energy strategy In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Oman’s energy and minerals minister is charting a course for affordable, sustainable energy and welcomes international investors. Salim Al Aufi Oman Minister of Energy and Minerals
2022 in review: The year that broke US relations with OPEC+ After a tumultuous year for US-Saudi ties, there is little reason to expect US-OPEC+ tensions to ease in 2023. Legacy: Gulf
Israel expected to increase natural gas drilling in 2023 Faithful to his past energy policies and on the backdrop of the global energy crisis, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to expand exploration for natural gas off Israel's shores. Israel
Analysis 2022 in review: Saudi-China, Qatar-Germany deals cap Middle East's energy developments Hydrogen power, oil price fluctuations and electric vehicles could feature prominently in the region in 2023. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Iraqi PM stresses need for regional reconciliation at summit in Jordan Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attended the second round of the Baghdad conference today in Jordan and expressed Iraq's willingness to push forward on regional cooperation and partnership. Iraq
Report: Israel may start exporting gas to Cyprus via new pipeline The comments from Cyprus’ energy minister come as Israel is eyeing more gas exports to Europe. Israel
Large gas field discovery brings Egypt closer to energy hub goal A newly discovered gas field is making Egypt's energy exporter hub vision more of a reality. Egypt
Erdogan touts potential gas deal ahead of Turkmenistan summit At Wednesday's summit in Turkmenistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is eyeing a gas deal that would extend into Europe. Turkey
Egypt’s non-oil private sector records two years of contraction The last time the Purchasing Managers Index, which offers insight into the private sector, recorded expansion in Egypt's economy was back in November 2020. Egypt
TotalEnergies proceeds with gas exploration plans in Lebanon Lebanon has been eagerly working with the French energy giant since reaching a historic maritime border agreement with Israel in October. Lebanon
