Pushing the Saudi reset button
The kingdom is getting nervy about a potential revival of the Iranian nuclear deal. But greater predictability in the White House could benefit the region in the long term
resident-elect Joe Biden takes office on 20 January with one of the most daunting in-trays of any incoming president since Barack Obama entered the White House in the wake of the global financial crisis 12 years ago. Among others, the US faces the challenge of again rebuilding regional credibility in the Middle East, an ongoing saga since the Iraq war and the fateful occupation that followed. And from the perspective of the leadership of regional behemoth Saudi Arabia, there are multiple potential flashpoints that could define the next phase of its bilateral relationship with the US—a period that could prove momentous if King Salman passes away and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) asc
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
