Gulf oil exports surpass prewar levels despite escalating tanker attacks According to data from Kpler, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and alternative routes across the Middle East averaged more than 24 million barrels a day last week, surpassing prewar levels of 23.3 million. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Analysis As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege? The country's last barrels of crude stockpiled beyond the reach of a US naval blockade fell to zero in October, raising the stakes for Tehran amid mounting economic distress. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How much oil can cushion another Middle East supply shock? Global oil inventories stood at 3.35 billion barrels in October, the lowest level on record since January 2017, according to Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Hormuz attacks spike after US airstrike on Iran-linked tanker By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Saudi Arabia criticizes Biden over oil reserve release The US president recently announced that he would sell some emergency oil reserves in response to the Saudi-backed oil supply cut. Legacy: Gulf
Israel moves to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions Ahead of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt next month, the Israeli government is focused on reducing greenhouse emissions within the industrial sector. Israel
How OPEC+ production cut will impact Egypt Experts say the OPEC+ decision to cut oil production won't hit Egypt as hard as some other countries. Egypt
Biden announces release of oil reserves following Saudi-backed oil cut One analyst said the move will not elicit a reaction from Saudi Arabia, which is in a dispute with the Biden administration over the recent OPEC+ oil production decision. Saudi Arabia
Fuel shortage, long queues anger Tunisians Tunisians are growing angry amid successive crises, most recently a fuel shortage, while the government sits idle. North Africa
Putin’s 'gas hub’ plan aims to bolster Erdogan's image Erdogan has accepted Putin’s offer to create a “gas hub” in northwest Turkey. But what is a gas hub? Is it workable? If realized, what impact would it have? Turkey
Saudi Arabia's defense of OPEC+ cuts draws sharp US rebuke The United States and Saudi Arabia are offering differing accounts of OPEC+'s decision to cut oil production. Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi announces nearly $1 billion drilling contract Oil and gas remain a major part of the Emirati economy, despite recent investments in renewable energy and green technology. The contract comes as the UAE gets ready to provide gas to Germany amid the war in Ukraine. United Arab Emirates
Israeli PM acknowledges role of Biden, Macron in Lebanon maritime deal Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid confirmed this evening publications in France over the significant role played by French President Emmanuel Macron in reaching the maritime agreement with Lebanon. Israel
Israel moves ahead on maritime agreement with Lebanon A maritime boundary agreement with Lebanon is finally headed for a likely approval vote in Israel. Israel
US touts 'historic breakthrough' on Israel-Lebanon maritime border President Joe Biden called on Lebanon and Israel to now implement the agreement over their long-disputed maritime border. Lebanon
US to 'reevaluate' relationship with Saudi Arabia after OPEC move The White House has nodded to calls among Democrats in Congress for a reappraisal of Washington's seven decades of support to the kingdom. Washington Connection