Research Library

Geopolitical risks in Russia/Ukraine and Middle East have increased the importance of Latin America’s hydrocarbon reserves and its contribution to global energy security. Growth in the region’s oil production and its prospects for increased global natural gas exports both underscore the need for U.S. and the region governments’ policies that favor the development of Latin America’s hydrocarbons potential as well as significant investments in its decarbonization efforts, writes fellow Francisco J. Monaldi.

Science and technology policy usually takes a back seat to issues such as immigration, the economy, and health care during election season. What’s changed for 2024?

The Middle East is in a new era of mass displacement, with millions uprooted after a year of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with a new front in Lebanon. In a recent commentary featured in The Conversation, Kelsey Norman and coauthor Nichols R. Micinski examine the long-lasting effects of the region’s humanitarian crisis, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire to enable displaced communities to return home and rebuild.

In response to the ongoing war in Gaza, the Houthi Red Sea campaign has caused significant economic disruptions — underscoring geopolitical shifts in the region. A new brief from the Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East and the Center for Energy Studies summarizes a conversation in which experts outline how the Houthi challenge has evolved over time and against the backdrop of Yemen’s ongoing conflicts.

The Middle East remains a vital supplier of oil and gas resources, but it could begin to take on a different role. Jim Krane discusses the region’s emerging energy strategies in light of energy transitions, highlighting challenges and opportunities for decarbonization.

After seven years of steady decline and an accumulated drop of 25%, Latin America’s crude oil production has recovered by more than 9% over the past two years, thanks to significant growth in Guyana and Brazil and smaller increases in Argentina and Venezuela. Francisco J. Monaldi walks us through these developments and what could be ahead for the region.

Osamah Alsayegh discusses how the recent Iran-Iraq gas deal and the reestablishment of Iran-Saudi Arabia relations signal increased regional cooperation in the Persian Gulf to tackle energy and water challenges, despite geopolitical pressures and U.S. opposition.

Energy transitions also connect to developments in natural gas and oil markets, both of which still receive significant attention from policymakers. Steven R. Miles explains that despite numerous challenges, global reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) has continued to expand. Thus, future trends will be shaped by trade dynamics, geopolitical factors, regulations, and U.S. policies. LNG is important for the global energy balance, and increasing demand for natural gas means the long-term outlook for U.S. LNG exports remains bright, despite the recent LNG permitting pause by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Despite its uncertain future in the context of energy transitions, oil remains the largest global energy source, and oil markets will continue to demand attention in the near term given their economic and geopolitical impacts. Mark Finley discusses global oil production, demand, and implications.

If China coercively annexed Taiwan, it would be a devastating loss for America. This paper assesses key consequences and argues that the U.S. must urgently prevent such an outcome.