Daily Archives: 25. Oktober 2022
Why are Europe’s gas prices falling?
In preparation for this winter, European countries have been rapidly filling their gas storage facilities with liquified natural gas (LNG) imported by ship from Qatar, the US and elsewhere. Those facilities are now reported to be virtually full. The latest phenomenon is LNG ships queuing off European coasts waiting to unload their cargoes – and being kept waiting because there is a shortage of storage space and facilities to unload. There are believed to be around 50 such ships currently at sea off Europe.
Live: Rishi Sunak picks his cabinet
Jeremy Hunt has been reappointed as Chancellor. Suella Braverman is back as Home Secretary.
Ben Wallace remains Defence Secretary and James Cleverly stays as Foreign Secretary. Dominic Raab is deputy PM and Justice Secretary.
No. 10 confirms Nadhim Zahawi is party chairman. Grant Shapps becomes Business Secretary. Penny Mordaunt remains Leader of the House of Commons. Gillian Keegan is Education Secretary.
Education Secretary Kit Malthouse, Welsh Secretary Robert Buckland, Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis are out.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s speech on the steps of Downing Street
Rishi Sunak arrives in Downing Street for the first time as Prime Minister.
Biden’s Saudi recalibration a potential setback to prospects for Saudi-Israel normalization
(October 21, 2022)
Schneider is a co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, as well as a lead sponsor of the DEFEND Act, which seeks to promote the creation of an integrated Middle East air-defense infrastructure, potentially including both Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), also an Abraham Accords Caucus co-chair and lead DEFEND Act sponsor, raised concerns that the White House was “disrupting… momentum” toward integrated air defense by postponing a United States-Gulf Coordination Council meeting focused on the issue following the oil production cut announcement.
Why OPEC Is Cutting Oil Production (and Why There’s Not Much the U.S. Can Do About It)
(Oct. 24, 2022)
If the United States follows through on its threats, the Biden administration would be a true maverick in Middle East policy, because no other administration — Republican or Democratic — has ever retaliated against Saudi Arabia in any serious manner for its oil policies.
The last time the NOPEC bill came this close to passing was in 2007, when it got approved by the House of Reps in a 345-72 vote and the Senate by 70-23, only to die after George W. Bush threatened a veto. (good relations between George W. & the Kingdom in the aftermath of 9/11)
(17.10.2022)
U.S. Senate panel advances bill to rein in OPEC+ over oil output cut
(19.10.2022)
The legislation could be debated by lawmakers after the Nov. 8 midterm elections.
Before heading to US, Herzog says he’ll discuss Iran threat, Lebanon deal with Biden
Noting that he is traveling at the invitation of “my friend” Biden, Herzog says his visit will focus on regional developments, chief among them “the Iranian threat, which is destabilizing not only the Middle East, but the entire world, requiring a firm and united stand against it.”
He will also discuss the Abraham Accords, the imminent maritime border deal with Lebanon, and “our desire and hope to have more nations join the circle of regional peace.”