Archiv: OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) / OPEC plus / cartel / Saudi Arabia / Russia / etc)


01.02.2025 - 00:58 [ New York Times ]

U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels

(January 23, 2016)

In addition to Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves and role as the spiritual anchor of the Sunni Muslim world, the long intelligence relationship helps explain why the United States has been reluctant to openly criticize Saudi Arabia for its human rights abuses, its treatment of women and its support for the extreme strain of Islam, Wahhabism, that has inspired many of the very terrorist groups the United States is fighting. The Obama administration did not publicly condemn Saudi Arabia’s beheading this month of a dissident Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who had challenged the royal family.

21.12.2024 - 07:14 [ TKP.at ]

Gaza-Deal zwischen Saudis und Netanjahu?

„Als Gegenleistung für ihre Unterstützung und ihr Geld, so sagte mir der Israeli, würden die Vereinigten Staaten der saudischen Führung ein erweitertes Verteidigungsabkommen anbieten, das Saudi-Arabien in ihren nuklearen Schutzschirm einbeziehen würde – für den Fall, dass der Iran, Israels letzter verbliebener Feind, in den Besitz einer Atombombe gelangen sollte. “
(…)
„Der Israeli sagte mir, dass das saudische Paket einen zusätzlichen Anreiz enthält: Die Saudis würden wegschauen, wenn die Israelis Bombenangriffe durchführen, einschließlich der Bombardierung militärischer Ziele im zerrissenen Syrien, und würden Israel Zugang zu einem Flugplatz innerhalb der saudischen Grenzen gewähren. Auf diese Weise könnten israelische Bomben, die zumeist von den Vereinigten Staaten geliefert werden, innerhalb von Minuten, nicht Stunden, auf wichtige iranische Ziele abgefeuert werden.“

21.12.2024 - 01:56 [ New York Times ]

Israel Found the Hamas Money Machine Years Ago. Nobody Turned It Off.

(December 16, 2023)

Israeli leaders believed that Hamas was more interested in governing than fighting. By the time the agents discovered the ledgers in 2018, the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was encouraging the government of Qatar to deliver millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip. He gambled that the money would buy stability and peace.

Mr. Levy recalled briefing Mr. Netanyahu personally in 2015 about the Hamas portfolio.

21.12.2024 - 00:37 [ Seymour Hersh ]

THE NEW CEASEFIRE EQUATION: Saudi Arabia’s entry into talks between Israel and Hamas may change Gaza’s future

In return for its support and money, the Israeli told me, the Saudi leadership would be offered an expanded defense treaty by the United States that would include Saudi Arabia in its nuclear umbrella—its zone of protection—in case Iran, Israel’s last standing enemy, were to acquire a nuclear bomb.
(…)
There is an added inducement in the Saudi package, the Israeli told me: the Saudis would look the other way as the Israelis conduct bombing raids, including bombing of military targets inside fractured Syria, and would give Israel access to an airfield within Saudi borders. This would bring Israeli bombs, most supplied by the United States, within minutes, and not hours, of key Iranian targets.

21.12.2024 - 00:12 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel, Saudi Arabia closer to normalisation deal: Report

(December 18, 2024)

Israel and Saudi Arabia have reached a breakthrough in talks around normalising relations, Haaretz reported on Tuesday, adding that the normalisation could be related to an elusive ceasefire deal that would bring about an end to Israel‘s war on Gaza.

Sources familiar with the negotiations told Haaretz that rather than Israel agreeing to Saudi Arabia‘s demand for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the two sides agreed that Israel would give a vague commitment on a „path towards Palestinian statehood“.

04.11.2024 - 07:49 [ Middle East Eye ]

Iranian press review: China and Russia criticised over response to Israeli strikes

(November 2, 2024)

The daily continued to criticise the stances of these two countries, comparing them to some European nations that have tense relations with Iran.

As western sanctions against Iran have increased in recent years, Tehran has strengthened economic ties with Moscow and Beijing, with one key outcome being the sale of cheap oil to China.

24.10.2024 - 08:57 [ B’Tselem ]

The world must stop the ethnic cleansing of northern Gaza

For a year now, since the war began, the international community has shown utter impotence to stop the indiscriminate attack on civilians in the Gaza Strip. Now, when it is clearer than ever that Israel intends to forcibly displace northern Gaza’s residents by committing some of the gravest crimes under the laws of war, the world’s nations must take action.

Without immediate, decisive action from the international community, without using every tool available – political, legal, economic – the mass killings in the northern Gaza Strip will continue and the suffering of its besieged civilians will grow. All international bodies and institutions must act now to compel Israel to stop the war and end the carnage.

03.10.2024 - 21:20 [ CNBC ]

U.S. crude oil jumps as Biden comments on possible Israel retaliation against Iran

U.S. crude oil prices rose more than 4% on Thursday, on pace for a third consecutive session of gains on fears that Israel could strike Iran‘s oil industry in retaliation for Tehran‘s ballistic missile attack this week.

03.10.2024 - 21:11 [ New York Times ]

Oil Price Jumps After Biden Says ‘Discussing’ Israeli Strike on Iranian Facilities

The president was asked about a potential strike on the oil infrastructure of Iran, which accounts for about 2 percent of the world’s supply.

17.04.2024 - 20:26 [ New York Times ]

Ukraine Sees ‘Hypocrisy’ in Western Allies’ Defense of Israel

The militaries of the United States, Britain, France and others stepped in to help Israel defend against the fusillade of more than 300 Iranian drones and missiles, nearly all of which were intercepted. A similar number of aerial weapons are fired at Ukraine on a weekly basis, its officials say, with many of the drones in those attacks designed by Iran and now produced by Russia.

17.04.2024 - 19:42 [ SRF.ch ]

Hilfe für die Ukraine – Selenski fordert, was Israel bekam

Israel parierte den iranischen Grossangriff aus der Luft – und zwar mithilfe der USA, Grossbritanniens, Frankreichs, Jordaniens und möglicherweise Saudi-Arabiens. Genau solche Hilfe fordert nun der ukrainische Präsident Wolodimir Selenski für sein Land gegen die russischen Luftangriffe. Das ist legitim. Doch passieren wird es nicht.

20.02.2024 - 16:37 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel treats Palestinians as ‘disposable objects’: Saudi Arabia tells ICJ

– The Kingdom expresses its profound revulsion for the killing of civilians in Gaza and Israel’s protracted impunity
– Israel’s argument that it has a right to self-defence distorts reality. Depriving the Palestinian population of all means of survival is not justified under any circumstances

18.02.2024 - 12:30 [ Arctic Views / Twitter ]

OPEC Could end the war in Gaza almost immediately by cutting oil exports to Europe and the US.

17.02.2024 - 16:15 [ OSINTwarAlerts / Twitter ]

BREAKING: Unusual incident at Rafah Crossing: A Palestinian youth was shot dead while attempting to take humanitarian aid from the crossing along with many others.

(16.02.2024)

He was likely shot by Hamas police. In response, many from the young man‘s family arrived at the crossing, starting riots and mass confrontations. The crossing‘s entrance gate was also set ablaze. Hamas police intervened in an attempt to restore order.

17.02.2024 - 15:55 [ alice / Twitter ]

Ireland pledges $21.5M to UNRWA; but as major Western donors cut aid, UNRWA will need to halt its services for the 2+ million Palestinian refugees in Jordan & Lebanon by March • No aid trucks w/ essential goods has passed through Egypt’s Rafah crossing since Feb 4, …

(16.02.2024)

…while

there’ve been deliberate delays at Israel’s Karem Abu Salem crossing

17.02.2024 - 15:36 [ Baby Dgdjsj / Twitter ]

No aid had Entered Gaza since 4th of Feb

(15.02.2024)

Why
Where R the Human rights NGO which come mocking on the doors of Muslim countries why they R not asking questions from Israel & Protesting against them. Hypocrisy on its limits
#النصر_الفيحاء
#Rafah

22.01.2024 - 11:00 [ Middle East Eye ]

Gaza war: Why did Arab states not join South Africa‘s case against Israel in the ICJ?

All Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have issued many statements condemning Israel‘s assault on Gaza, but they did not take any further action. Saudi Arabia and the Arab League waited for more than a month of onslaught in Gaza to hold a summit in Riyadh to discuss the issue.

The summit decided to break the siege and blockade, but Arab countries never turned this resolution into action. Instead, Egypt obeyed Israeli commands and refused to give access to move injured civilians for treatment outside of Gaza unless Israel approved their names.

03.01.2024 - 08:55 [ Middle East Eye ]

War on Gaza: OIC and Arab League must back South Africa‘s ICJ case on Israel

Beyond material progress and architectural marvels that rival ancient wonders, a truly progressive state is marked by its commitment to accountability and justice – a domain where some established democracies have faltered.

After enduring a harrowing 85 days of bombardment resulting in nearly 22,000 killed, including more than 8,000 children and 6,000 women, 1.9 million displaced and the collapse of the health infrastructure, South Africa, a signatory of the Genocide Convention has finally called upon the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to examine the crisis.

This long-awaited step reflects a crucial recognition of the international community‘s role in conflict resolution and human rights protection.

17.12.2023 - 19:51 [ Times of Israel ]

PM: I’m proud I blocked a Palestinian state. Looking at Gaza, everyone sees what would have happened

At the Tel Aviv press conference, Netanyahu is asked by a reporter why he did not withdraw from the Oslo Accords, given that he keeps criticizing them.

“I inherited the Oslo Accords,” he says. “The decision to bring the PLO from Tunis, and plant it in the heart of Judea and Samaria [West Bank], and in Gaza, was a decision made and implemented before I became prime minister. I thought it was a terrible mistake and I still do.”

Turning on the reporter, he says: “You and your journalist friends have been blaming me for almost 30 years for putting the brakes on the Oslo Accords, and preventing the Palestinian state. That’s true,” he says.

06.11.2023 - 20:22 [ ArabNews.com ]

‘Absolute Recklessness’: Saudi Arabia slams Israeli suggestion of “nuking Gaza”

The Israeli minister’s comments showed the penetration of “extremism and brutality” among members of the Israeli government, a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said.

“Moreover, not dismissing the minister and only freezing his membership constitutes the utmost disregard for all human standards and values,” it added.

26.10.2023 - 06:21 [ Haaretz ]

Israel, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Talks Over Increasing Military and Intelligence Ties

(18.02.2023)

The talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which are backed by the U.S., were held before the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering in Riyadh, which was focused on defense and security, Bloomberg reported several anonymous sources involved in the meetings as saying.

More meetings between the two countries are expected to occur this weekend in Prague, during the Munich Security Conference, according to several of the sources.

07.10.2023 - 08:00 [ Reuters ]

OPEC+ panel holds oil policy steady as Saudi, Russia keep cuts

(October 4, 2023)

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, speaking on the Rossiya-24 news TV station, said the joint cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia had helped to balance the global oil market. „We are also fulfilling our obligations in full,“ he said.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who chairs the JMMC, last month said OPEC+ cuts were needed to stabilise the market, and prices were not being targeted.

07.10.2023 - 07:25 [ Times of Israel ]

Riyadh said willing to boost oil output to help clinch normalization deal with Israel

Saudi Arabia would be willing to boost oil production next year in a move aimed at earning goodwill with Congress toward a normalization agreement with Israel that would include a key mutual defense pact and weapons deal with Washington, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

According to the report, which cited Saudi and US officials, Riyadh has told the White House it would be willing to increase oil production if crude prices are high to help secure the deal.

07.10.2023 - 07:22 [ Interfax.com ]

Russia maintaining plans to cut oil exports by 300,000 bpd until end of 2023; will assess changes in production volumes in Nov – deputy PM

(4 Oct 2023)

„Russia will continue the additional voluntary reduction in supplies to global markets by 300,000 bpd until the end of December 2023, which entered into force in September and October 2023,“ Novak said.

(…)

Novak recalled that the measure is in addition to the voluntary cut in reduction of 500,000 bpd announced in April, which will last until the end of 2024.

31.08.2023 - 17:52 [ Spokesman.com ]

Gabon soldiers seize power in OPEC member in latest coup

Gabon’s dollar bonds due June 2025 and November 2031 were the worst-performing in emerging markets on Wednesday. The 2025 notes fell 8.55 cents to 84.74 cents on the dollar as of 11:48 a.m. in London. Shares in French mining group Eramet SA, oil and gas producer Maurel & Prom SA and a listed unit of TotalEnergies SE, which all have operations in Gabon, sank in Paris trading.

19.08.2023 - 16:52 [ Bloomberg ]

The Untold Story Behind Saudi Arabia’s 41-Year U.S. Debt Secret

(May 31, 2016)

The basic framework was strikingly simple. The U.S. would buy oil from Saudi Arabia and provide the kingdom military aid and equipment. In return, the Saudis would plow billions of their petrodollar revenue back into Treasuries and finance America’s spending.

It took several discreet follow-up meetings to iron out all the details, Parsky said. But at the end of months of negotiations, there remained one small, yet crucial, catch: King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud demanded the country’s Treasury purchases stay “strictly secret,” according to a diplomatic cable obtained by Bloomberg from the National Archives database.

19.08.2023 - 16:15 [ CNN ]

Saudi Arabia extends oil production cut even as US gas prices hit nine-month highs

(August 3, 2023)

It’s the second time the kingdom has extended the cut, which was first announced in June after a meeting of the alliance between Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other smaller producers.

At almost the same time, Russia announced plans to cut oil exports by 300,000 barrels per day, in September according to Reuters.

US oil prices rose 1.6% on Thursday to $81.05 a barrel. Brent crude, the world benchmark, jumped 1.5% to $84.50 a barrel.

04.08.2023 - 20:02 [ New York Times ]

Inside Saudi Arabia’s Global Push for Nuclear Power

(April 1, 2023)

For years, Saudi Arabia has pressed the United States to help it develop a nuclear energy program, as Saudi leaders look beyond oil to power their country.

But talks about a nuclear partnership have dragged on, largely because the Saudi government refuses to agree to conditions that are intended to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons or helping other nations do so, according to officials with knowledge of the discussions.

Frustrated Saudi officials are now exploring options to work with other countries, including China, Russia or a U.S. ally.

04.08.2023 - 19:15 [ CNN ]

Saudi’s MBS wants more than peace at his Ukraine summit

In the days ahead of the summit, the Ukrainians set out their intent. “Our goal in Saudi Arabia is to develop a unified vision of the formula and to work out the possibilities of holding the future Global Peace Summit,” they said, referring to Ukraine’s peace plan. (…=

t’s a work in progress, but he sees where he wants to go and part of that involves one of the Middle East’s thorniest issues: Saudi’s rapprochement with Israel.

On that, Saudi negotiations with the US are underway, and reportedly include domestic energy nuclear power plants, F-35 fighter aircraft and security guarantees for the desert kingdom.

29.07.2023 - 23:36 [ Haaretz ]

U.S. President Biden Says Deal May Be on the Way With Saudi Arabia, Rapprochement With Israel

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, in a piece published on Thursday, said Biden was considering whether to pursue a U.S.-Saudi mutual security pact that would involve Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, one of Biden’s most trusted aides, was in Jeddah this week with Middle East envoy Brett McGurk discussing the possibility of a normalization deal, White House officials said.

11.07.2023 - 20:14 [ New York Times ]

U.S. Examines Whether Saudi Nuclear Program Could Lead to Bomb Effort

(Aug. 5, 2020)

Last week, the House Intelligence Committee, led by Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, included a provision in the intelligence budget authorization bill requiring the administration to submit a report about Saudi efforts since 2015 to develop a nuclear program, a clear indication that the committee suspects that some undeclared nuclear activity is going on.

The report, the provision stated, should include an assessment of “the state of nuclear cooperation between Saudi Arabia and any other country other than the United States, such as the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation.”

16.05.2023 - 16:41 [ NYsun.com ]

Saudi-Israel Peace Deal Could Come Before 2024 Election

(May 3, 2023)

For Mr. Biden, such a deal would be a trophy foreign policy accomplishment going into a presidential election in which he doesn’t otherwise, at least so far, have much to show the voters. For the Saudis, a deal could bring economic benefits and help to put relations with the United States back on a stable track after strains and disruptions related to the Saudi assassination of a Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi.

For Mr. Netanyahu, the deal could boost Israel strategically and redeem him politically after his attempt at judicial reform met fierce resistance.

08.05.2023 - 11:35 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu to Meet Top Biden Advisers After Saudi Talks in Pursuit of Normalization

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet on Monday in Jerusalem with two senior advisers to U.S. President Joe Biden on Middle East affairs, Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, after they concluded talks in Saudi Arabia.

McGurk is responsible for the Middle East at the National Security Council in the White House, while Hochstein serves as Biden‘s special envoy for energy affairs.

08.05.2023 - 11:28 [ Ynetnews.com ]

Israel optimistic after Sullivan urges Saudi ties

Officials in Jerusalem say the Biden administration will have a 1-year window of opportunity to secure normalization deal after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says Israeli-Saudi ties are a top U.S. priority

08.05.2023 - 11:24 [ AP News ]

White House national security adviser meets Saudi prince

Saudi state media did not immediately publish either video or photographs of the meetings.

01.05.2023 - 10:01 [ theGuardian.com ]

A war for our age: how the battle for Sudan is being fuelled by forces far beyond its borders

In this conflict frontiers have no significance, control of resources is the primary prize, with forces arising in borderlands seeking their revenge on once contemptuous metropolitan elites. Trafficking networks across swathes of desert are extensions of the “battlespace”, and almost innumerable actors with an axe to grind or an agenda to pursue vastly outnumber those who seek to stop the fighting.

All of this happens in a shadowy penumbra defined by backroom deals, obscure alignments of interests, brutal realpolitik and disinformation. The poor and the weak and the unarmed suffer most, as ever.

30.04.2023 - 11:25 [ IsraelHayom.com ]

Additional efforts taken toward Israeli-Saudi normalization

(today)

Washington is said to be examining demands put forth by Riyadh as conditions for normalization with Jerusalem, one of which is for a civilian nuclear program.

Despite the shocking recent rapprochement between long-time regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, the prospect of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is progressing, Israel Hayom has learned.

30.04.2023 - 11:09 [ New York Times ]

U.S. Examines Whether Saudi Nuclear Program Could Lead to Bomb Effort

(Aug. 5, 2020)

Last week, the House Intelligence Committee, led by Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, included a provision in the intelligence budget authorization bill requiring the administration to submit a report about Saudi efforts since 2015 to develop a nuclear program, a clear indication that the committee suspects that some undeclared nuclear activity is going on.

The report, the provision stated, should include an assessment of “the state of nuclear cooperation between Saudi Arabia and any other country other than the United States, such as the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation.”

19.04.2023 - 14:17 [ Oilprice.com ]

Prices Rally As Crude Oil, Products Draw Down

This week, SPR inventory dropped for the third week in a row losing another 1.6 million barrels for the week to reach 368 million barrels—the lowest amount of crude oil in the SPR since October 1983.

U.S. crude oil production rose during the week ending April 7, to 12.3 million bpd. U.S. production is now 800,000 bpd lower than the peak production seen in March 2020, but 500,000 bpd higher than this time last year.

19.04.2023 - 10:54 [ ElMasarEnglish.com ]

Sudan supports OPEC’s decision to cut oil production

(October 19, 2022)

On Tuesday, the Sudanese foreign ministry voiced its support for OPEC +’s decision and denounced “the campaign” against Saudi Arabia.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has closely followed the repercussions of the OPEC+ decision to reduce oil production (…), the campaign against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the attempts to blame it for the consequences of the decision.” the ministry said in a statement.

17.04.2023 - 16:29 [ Haaretz ]

Israel, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Talks Over Increasing Military and Intelligence Ties

(18.02.2023)

The talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which are backed by the U.S., were held before the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering in Riyadh, which was focused on defense and security, Bloomberg reported several anonymous sources involved in the meetings as saying.

More meetings between the two countries are expected to occur this weekend in Prague, during the Munich Security Conference, according to several of the sources.

17.04.2023 - 16:22 [ Middle East Eye ]

Saudi Arabia to host first Hamas delegation in over a decade

Palestinian leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, to travel to Riyadh on Monday to discuss improving relations after years of tension

17.04.2023 - 16:19 [ Oilprice.com ]

U.S. Sends Delegation To Saudi Arabia To Discuss Energy And Security

(Apr 14, 2023)

White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa and the U.S. Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security visited Saudi Arabia officials on Friday to discuss regional security and energy matters.

17.04.2023 - 11:22 [ Yahoo.com ]

Oil Steady After Four Weekly Gains as IEA Warns of Price Rises

West Texas Intermediate futures traded above $82 a barrel after posting the longest run of weekly gains since June. A surprise production cut by OPEC+ will tighten the market more than previously expected and lead to further price increases, inflicting more pain on consumers, the IEA said on Friday.

17.04.2023 - 10:42 [ Fortune ]

Saudi Arabia’s national oil company raked in a record $161 billion profit last year, as the Ukraine war and OPEC+ drove a 46% increase

(12.03.2023)

Aramco boosted its dividend — a crucial source of funding for the Saudi Arabian government — to $19.5 billion for the final quarter, up 4% from the previous three-month period.

US and European peers such as Chevron Corp. and Shell Plc also reported blowout earnings and are returning billions of dollars to shareholders through larger dividends and buybacks. Aramco, until now, has instead focused on using its extra cash to increase output.

17.04.2023 - 10:36 [ WION / Youtube ]

Brazilian President Lula Da Silva slams US and Europe for fueling war | Latest World News | WION

Following his visit to China on Saturday, UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed al-Nahyan met with Brazilian President Lula de Silva to explore a potential cooperative mediation effort for Russia‘s conflict in Ukraine with China.

17.04.2023 - 10:33 [ Amerika21.de ]

Präsident von Brasilien will mit China und den Emiraten im Ukraine-Krieg vermitteln

Lula, der sich zuvor drei Tage lang in Peking aufhielt, besuchte am Samstag und Sonntag die VAE. Er habe mit seinen Amtskollegen Mohammed bin Zayid al Nahyan und Xi Jinping über die Schaffung einer Gruppe von Ländern ähnlich der G20 gesprochen, um im Konflikt zwischen Russland und der Ukraine zu vermitteln, erklärte er gegenüber Medienvertretern.

17.04.2023 - 10:29 [ @MohamedBinZayed / Nitter ]

I had the pleasure of welcoming President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the UAE. Brazil has long been a key strategic partner of the UAE and our talks explored further opportunities for collaboration focused on sustainability, innovation & economic opportunity.

(15.04.2023)

17.04.2023 - 10:24 [ Middle East Eye ]

UAE: Mohammed bin Zayed officially named new president

(14.04.2023)

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan became the ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday after being elected president following the death of his half-brother, long-time ruler Khalifa bin Zayed, the previous day, official media has reported.

06.04.2023 - 05:02 [ Robert F. Kennedy Jr / Nitter ]

The collapse of U.S. influence over Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s new alliances with China and Iran are painful emblems of the abject failure of the Neocon strategy of maintaining U.S. global hegemony with aggressive projections of military power.

(04.04.2023)

China has displaced the American Empire by deftly projecting, instead, economic power. Over the past decade, our country has spent trillions bombing roads, ports, bridges, and airports. China spent the equivalent building the same across the developing world. The Ukraine war is the final collapse of the Neocon‘s short-lived “American Century.” The Neocon projects in Iraq and Ukraine have cost $8.1 trillion, hollowed out our middle class, made a laughingstock of U.S. military power and moral authority, pushed China and Russia into an invincible alliance, destroyed the dollar as the global currency, cost millions of lives and done nothing to advance democracy or win friendships or influence.

05.04.2023 - 10:13 [ Oilprice.com ]

U.S. Losing Influence As Saudi Arabia Joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The Kingdom had already signed a memorandum of understanding on 16 September 2022 granting it the status of SCO dialogue partner, as was exclusively reported by OilPrice.com at the time. However, Saudi Arabia did nothing to encourage the release of the news at that point, unlike now – just after it resumed relations with Iran, in a deal brokered by China.

05.04.2023 - 10:04 [ Oilprice.com ]

Will OPEC’s Surprise Production Cuts Push Oil Prices To $100?

It was Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait who led the surprise cuts, alongside OPEC’s second-largest producer Iraq and another half a dozen OPEC+ producers, including Russia.

While Russia’s extension of its own 500,000-bpd cut until the end of the year was no surprise – analysts had largely baked in a drop in Russian production in view of the embargoes and price caps on its oil – the move from OPEC’s heavyweights came as a surprise. And sent a clear message to the market—we are in charge.

05.04.2023 - 09:57 [ IndianPunchline.com ]

OPEC: Saudis aren’t afraid of US anymore

Independent but time-coordinated statements were made by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, Oman and Kazakhstan, while Russia confirmed its intention to extend until the end of the year its own production reduction by 500,000 barrels per day, which began in March.

Significantly, these statements have been made precisely by those largest oil producers in OPEC, who have a record of fully utilising their existing quota. Put differently, the reduction in production is going to be real, not just on paper.

21.03.2023 - 01:50 [ RT.com ]

Why China is so important for the Russian economy

The Chinese currency, the yuan, has become a major player in Russia’s foreign trade, according to data from the country’s central bank. The share of renminbi in Russia’s import settlements jumped to 23% by the end of last year from only 4% in January 2022. The yuan’s share in export settlements also surged from 0.5% to 16%. At the same time, the two countries have been slashing the share of the US dollar and euro in their bilateral trade.

16.03.2023 - 13:55 [ ifpnews.com ]

UAE halts purchase of Israeli defense shields following Iran-Saudi deal

(March 13, 2023)

”Until we make sure that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a government that he controls, we will not be able to do common things, “said UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

12.03.2023 - 20:46 [ rferl.org ]

Russia‘s War In Ukraine Helps Oil Giant Saudi Aramco Post Historic $161 Billion Profit In 2022

The announcement came off the back of energy prices rising after Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022, with sanctions limiting the sale of Moscow‘s oil and natural gas in Western markets. Aramco‘s results mirror the huge profits seen at U.S. and British oil giants.

12.03.2023 - 20:29 [ ORF.at ]

Saudischer Ölkonzern Aramco meldet 161 Mrd. Dollar Gewinn

Der saudi-arabische Ölkonzern war erst 2019 an die Börse gegangen. Er ist das zweitwertvollste Unternehmen der Welt nach Apple. 2022 meldeten auch fünf weitere Ölgiganten Rekordgewinne: Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP und TotalEnergies.

11.03.2023 - 15:32 [ theHill.com ]

China-brokered Iran-Saudi deal raises red flags for US

The deal also comes as Saudi Arabia is demanding certain security guarantees, a steady flow of arms shipments and assistance with its civilian nuclear program in order to normalize relations with Israel, a major U.S. ally, the White House confirmed on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was “informed” about the Saudi Arabia-Iran talks but played no role in them.

10.03.2023 - 19:41 [ Wall Street Journal ]

Biden Turns the U.S. Into a Shadow Member of OPEC

(13.12.2022)

President Biden has urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase production of oil and criticized the cartel harshly when it declines to do so—most recently on Dec. 4. But actions speak louder than words. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has been acting as shadow member of the cartel.

10.03.2023 - 19:08 [ Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي / Nitter ]

Lapid: „Netanyahu briefed that I‘m to blame for the Saudi-Iran deal. Its delusional. During our time in govt we signed the Saudi aviation agreement, the tripartite security deal with Egypt & the accord on direct flights during Hajj. Pres Biden flew directly from Tel Aviv to KSA…

(today)

10.03.2023 - 19:05 [ Haaretz ]

Israel, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Talks Over Increasing Military and Intelligence Ties

(18.02.2023)

The talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which are backed by the U.S., were held before the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering in Riyadh, which was focused on defense and security, Bloomberg reported several anonymous sources involved in the meetings as saying.

More meetings between the two countries are expected to occur this weekend in Prague, during the Munich Security Conference, according to several of the sources.

10.03.2023 - 18:50 [ CNN ]

Archrivals Iran and Saudia Arabia agree to end years of hostilities in deal mediated by China

They also plan to reimplement a security pact signed 22 years ago under which both parties agreed to cooperate on terrorism, drug-smuggling and money-laundering, as well as reviving a trade and technology deal from 1998.

Friday’s announcement is also a diplomatic victory for China in a Gulf region that has long been considered part of the US’ domain of influence. It comes as the Biden administration tries to notch its own win in the Middle East by trying to broker a normalization pact between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

10.03.2023 - 17:59 [ ORF.at ]

Diplomatischer Coup: Teheran und Riad wollen Eiszeit beenden

Nach jahrelanger Eiszeit, die im Nahen Osten die Spannungen gefährlich erhöht hat, wollen der Iran und Saudi-Arabien die diplomatischen Beziehungen wieder aufnehmen. Der Deal kam offenbar unter Vermittlung Chinas zustande. Gelingt die Annäherung, wäre das für Peking ein wichtiger Erfolg als geopolitischer Player vis-a-vis den USA.

03.03.2023 - 18:40 [ Nasdaq.com ]

Big Oil to take centerstage at Houston meet as markets, alliances shift

The war in Ukraine sparked a rally in crude oil and fuel prices that led to record industry profits, prompting the U.S. government and others to accuse Big Oil of profiteering and for Britain and some other governments to impose windfall taxes on energy companies.

03.03.2023 - 18:18 [ Reuters ]

Oil prices down after report on UAE debating OPEC exit

Oil prices slumped on Friday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the United Arab Emirates had an internal debate about leaving OPEC and pumping more oil, but retraced some losses after a source told Reuters this was not true.

23.02.2023 - 21:04 [ Bloomberg ]

Russian Oil Flows to China Hit Highest Levels Since Ukraine Invasion

(20.02.2023)

Russian exports of discounted crude and fuel oil to China have jumped to record levels as the re-opening of the world’s biggest energy importer gathers pace after the dismantling of Covid Zero.

23.02.2023 - 20:22 [ New York Times ]

What Exxon and Chevron Are Doing With Those Big Profits

(Feb. 1, 2023)

The variables that will determine oil companies’ profitability this year are largely out of their control — in both supply and demand. The war in Ukraine could expand or not; a recession in the United States and Europe could be deep or averted entirely. Prices for fuels, and inflation generally, will largely depend on how events play out.

23.02.2023 - 19:48 [ Forbes ]

Shell Reports Record Profits As Oil Giants—Including Exxon, Chevron—Cash In On Sky-High Prices After Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

(Feb 2, 2023)

Shell reported an annual profit of nearly $40 billion in 2022, the highest in the firm’s 115-year history.

The figure is more than double the $19.3 billion the firm reported in 2021 and far greater than its previous record of $31 billion in 2008.

18.02.2023 - 17:59 [ Haaretz ]

Israel, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Talks Over Increasing Military and Intelligence Ties

The talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which are backed by the U.S., were held before the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering in Riyadh, which was focused on defense and security, Bloomberg reported several anonymous sources involved in the meetings as saying.

More meetings between the two countries are expected to occur this weekend in Prague, during the Munich Security Conference, according to several of the sources.