Friday , June 19 2026
  • My New Book

    US Energy Diplomacy in the Caspian Sea Basin: Changing Trends Since2001 - Available on Springer

  • My New Book

    US Energy Diplomacy in the Caspian Sea Basin: Changing Trends Since2001 - Available on Amazon

Recent Articles

Iran-Qatar Electricity Grid Interconnection Plan Shows Pragmatism in the Shadow of War

If Gulf-linked private capital participates in Iran’s reconstruction, it would show that regional actors are trying to shape Iran’s behavior and buy protection through economic incentivesTwo days after President Donald Trump announced agreement on a memorandum of understanding prolonging a ceasefire with Iran, Qatari Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said feasibility studies were …

Read More »

France’s Eastern Mediterranean energy strategy: Between commercial pragmatism and geopolitical ambition

The headquarters of French multinational integrated energy and petroleum company TotalEnergies is seen in La Defense, the business district, west of Paris, France on August 13, 2025. [Mustafa Yalçın – Anadolu Agency]

France has emerged as a significant actor in the Eastern Mediterranean energy landscape, combining commercial interests, geopolitical ambition, and European energy security priorities. Its approach rests on three pillars: support for French corporate activity, especially through TotalEnergies; strategic alignment with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel; and efforts to counterbalance Turkey’s growing assertiveness …

Read More »

The Strategic Logic of Azerbaijan’s Absheron Phase 2

A drilling platform in Baku, Azerbaijan.Shutterstock

New Gas from Absheron Will Not on Its Own Transform Europe’s Energy Balance, but It Will Add Valuable Supply Diversity On June 1, 2026, during Baku Energy Week, Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company, TotalEnergies, ADNOC International, part of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Turkey’s state pipeline company, BOTAŞ, signed a 15-year natural …

Read More »

How Iran-Israel-U.S. Tensions May Reshape the GCC’s Energy Transition

The escalation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has renewed attention on the energy-security vulnerabilities of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The conflict has affected maritime confidence around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most …

Read More »

From presence to influence: India’s Arctic ambitions in a changing frontier

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during the Nordic-India Summit, in Oslo, Norway, May 19. (Image: PTI)

The trajectory of India’s Arctic engagement will depend on its ability to scale its efforts without losing coherence. Investments in research infrastructure, greater involvement from the private sector, and deeper partnerships with Arctic states will be critical India’s growing engagement in the Arctic reflects a deliberate expansion of its strategic …

Read More »

From banks to blockchains: US opens new front in Iran sanctions

Representations of cryptocurrency Binance are seen in front of displayed Nobitex logo in this illustration taken November 3, 2022.

The Trump administration’s sanctions on Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange mark an escalation in Washington’s effort to disrupt the financial infrastructure Tehran uses to operate outside the formal banking system. The US Treasury designated Nobitex alongside Wallex, Bitpin and Ramzinex and sanctioned senior figures connected to Nobitex, including chairman, co-founder and …

Read More »