The Middle East also holds a significant role in global gas production
Shifting sands alter balance of power in Middle East
The region’s political situation and internal relationships are changing amid the growing influence of Russia and China
The Middle East can be divided into three categories of regional alliances: allies of Iran, allies of Saudi Arabia, and allies of Turkey. The allies of Iran consist of the Assad regime in Syria, Iraq’s federal government, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hezbollah and the Amal Movement in Lebanon. All of these groups have been embroiled in internal crises, including territorial disintegration and political upheavals, as a result of regional competition. The allies of Saudi Arabia include the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—excluding Qatar—as well as Egypt, Sudan and, to some extent, Jordan. Saudi Arabia also wields significant influence over Sun
Also in this section
23 March 2026
A complex and sometimes contradictory web of factors that include unpredictable oil prices, the globalisation of LNG markets, the expansion of Middle Eastern sovereign capital and the growth of datacentre demand will shape the energy landscape beyond 2026
23 March 2026
The Strait of Hormuz crisis highlights how key waterways can become global chokepoints
20 March 2026
Attacks on key oil and LNG assets across the Gulf mean a prolonged supply disruption, with damage to Qatar’s export capacity undermining confidence in the global gas system
20 March 2026
The US may be systemically stripping Russia of key geopolitical allies, but Moscow can reap rewards from the Hormuz crisis, both in the short and long term
