Topic: Middle East

Despite pronouncements by Saudi royalty and oil officials that that country will not let the price of oil go above $100 a barrel, Brent crude prices now appear poised to breach $120 a barrel.    Read More

Despite reports suggesting that Iran is considering a halt to all oil exports to Europe as a response to European Union and US sanctions, the head of energy watchdog the International Energy Agency said that releasing reserves under its control is not something under consideration now.    Read More

If Iran were to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude would surge to between $150 and $200 a barrel, according to an oil analyst with Societe Generale.   Read More

Pulitzer prize winning author Daniel Yergin, Chairman of IHS CERA, shared an excerpt on Iran from his latest book “The Quest: Energy Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World.” The piece describes how the balance of power in the Gulf region could shift should Iran obtain nuclear weapons.    Read More

Got your resolutions ready? These will set you up for your next year of currency trading.   Read More

Now that the "Arab Spring" is turning into the "Arab Winter" the former prime minister writes, "the challenge emerging from the changes taking place is so big that we had better put in place a common Western strategy or we'll find that national approaches are totally irrelevant to shape events there."   Read More

US oil prices are flirting with $100 a barrel but don't fully reflect the potential for escalating tensions between the West and Iran, oil experts say.    Read More

Just as in January, the White House is confused and distracted. Stability in the volatile Middle East is what the White House desires and a cautious and long-drawn out transition to democracy guided by the Army seemed to be the best option to prevent any radical developments in Egypt. This scenario, however, is no longer realistic.    Read More

Wednesday’s quoted price for Brent Crude (the bench mark generally used worldwide) is $117.70/barrel, while WTI Crude (the benchmark used in the U.S.) delivered at Cushing Oklahoma is $102/bbl.    Read More

We must work with Israel to determine the proper military response needed to stabilize the region, protect our allies and protect this country – if that includes targeted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, then I am prepared to authorize that action.    Read More