Explainer After UAE and Qatar, could Iraq be next to leave OPEC? Iraq is seeking a higher production quota as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has slashed oil revenues and plunged the country into a fiscal crisis. Iraq
Explainer Syria’s energy push could soon get a major boost from Chevron: What to know The country's leaders are seeking to translate a flurry of oil and gas agreements into concrete investments and rebuild an industry devastated by more than a decade of war, sanctions and isolation. Syria
Oil falls below $74 as Hormuz traffic recovers after Iran war Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, was trading at $73.81 a barrel at 10:40 a.m. EDT, down 4.2% from Tuesday's close. Iran
Explainer Hormuz tolls, frozen funds pose early tests for US-Iran peace progress Early cracks are beginning to show following last week’s US-Iran deal announcement even as both sides move ahead with steps toward ending the four-month conflict. Iran
Turkish-Libyan security, maritime deals spike tensions Agreements between Turkey and Libya sparked anger among stakeholders in the Libyan civil war and in maritime drilling in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey
Israel to begin exporting gas to Egypt next month In just a few weeks, Egypt should be receiving natural gas from Israel's Leviathan field. Egypt
Pressure mounts against importing Israeli gas to Jordan While Jordan is expected to start receiving natural gas from Israel in a matter of weeks, demands that the government cancel the deal are growing. Israel
PA turns to Russia in a bid to break from US sponsorship As part of its efforts to economically disengage from Israel, the Palestinian Authority seeks to establish bilateral relations with Russia in the energy field. Palestine
What is the fate of Baghdad-Erbil’s oil-for-budget agreement amid ongoing protests? Iraqi political sides vow to block a recent oil-for-budget agreement by Iraq’s caretaker government with the Kurdistan region. Iraq
Democratic leader pours cold water on Tulsi Gabbard’s bid to force Syria withdrawal The House’s No. 2 Democrat dealt a major blow to Tulsi Gabbard’s effort to force President Donald Trump to pull the remaining US troops out of Syria. Syria
Turkey sees greater partnership with Qatar than is apparent Turkey's commercial gains from its partnership with Qatar have been modest and the media fanfare over fresh bilateral accords is hard to comprehend. Saudi Arabia
Will Iran’s 50% gas price hike pay off for the economy? Iran’s cutbacks on gas subsidies must be accompanied by a crackdown on corruption if they are to yield real benefits for the government. Iran
Smuggling crackdown highlights resilience of northeast Syria’s oil trade Despite a joint Kurdish-US crackdown against oil smugglers from northeast Syria toward government-controlled territories, trade continues. Syria
Can EU's fear of terrorists give Turkey clout in ocean drilling? Following his threats to flood Europe with Syrian refugees, the Turkish president is now trying to use Islamic State suspects as leverage. Syria
Egypt conducts joint drills with Greece, Cyprus amid Turkey tensions The naval forces of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus conducted joint military exercises in the Mediterranean amid tensions with Turkey over its drilling activities in the area. Egypt
Iran plans to wean budget off oil income by next year Iranian officials say the country will kick its dependence on oil revenues by next year, using them only for development projects and to acquire capital assets. Iran
