Saudi Crown Prince Has Leverage On Oil As US Relations Worsen
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Saudi Arabia's crown prince continues to snub the United States on increasing oil production in return for what he sees as less than favorable treatment by President Joe Biden. Next week's OPEC+ meeting is expected to back him up.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken adds a meeting with Abu Dhabi's crown prince next week as he sets off on a tour of the Middle East. Oil isn't on the front page of the agenda, but it will have a presence.
The Yemen car bomb attack that killed a major general also killed his son, a young 26-year-old Yemeni junior officer. The U.S. approves rocket sales to Bahrain and says it's "deeply disappointed and troubled" that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps could display its weapons at a exhibit in Qatar. Qatar says it will keep supplying liquefied natural gas to Europe even when it could make more money selling in Asia. Saudi Arabia plans a land bridge across the country, Dubai's ruler loses a child custody case in a London court, and the United States is sending an extra $64 million in food aid to hungry Lebanon.
And news from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Tunisia, Sudan, and More.
Saudi Arabia holds the keys to oil the United States wants on the world market and so far isn't unlocking. As relations worsen between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi crown prince is seen as waiting for concessions, and ties with the UAE are undergoing a "stress test." Both Gulf countries have excess capacity and can produce more oil and help bring down high prices, but there's little if any expectation they will do so at an OPEC+ meeting next week.
Foreign Policy, Mohammed bin Salman has leverage on Biden over oil after Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- and is using it.
Gulf countries are looking to their own interests and believe they no longer need United States approval. Analysts say Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in particular appear to be prioritizing relationships with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war, rebuffing U.S. pleas for higher oil production. The U.S. is viewed as disengaging from the Middle East, and there are "testy and sour relations with Washington."
Middle East Eye, US-GCC ties in 'rough patch' after Gulf states rebuff calls to isolate Russia, experts say.
OPEC+ meets March 31 and it's "highly unlikely any Mideast Gulf state with spare capacity would act on it own to supply more crude." OPEC+ regards Russia as a leading member of the alliance and crucial to the group, and maintaining unity is a priority. OPEC+ members continue to dodge frantic calls for oil from Western nations, including European countries heavily dependent on Russian oil imports.
Energy Intelligence, Opec unmoved by mounting supply pressures.
Israel will host a summit meeting Sunday and Monday with top diplomats from three Arab countries and the United States. The Arab countries are the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, and all have working relationships with Israel. The high-level meeting reflects the pace at which Middle Eastern norms and alliances have shifted since Israel first sealed agreements with the Arab states in 2020. Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, will host the conference
New York Times, Israel to host 3 Arab foreign ministers in historic meeting.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed when both are in Morocco next week. "While in Rabat, the Secretary will also meet Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to discuss regional security and international developments," the State Department spokesman said. Blinken will be on a trip to Israel, Palestine, Morocco, and Algeria.
Al Arabiya, Blinken to meet Abu Dhabi crown prince during the trip to Morocco: State Department.
The Yemen car bomb attack that killed a senior general also took the life of his son. A spokesman said the attack targeted the convoy of Major General Thabet Jawas, a senior commander in southern Yemen, and killed the general and his son, a junior military officer, and three guards. Initial reports said only that Jawas and four others died. Qaed Nasr, a military spokesman for Jawas' division, said that the general's son, Nabil Jawas, a 26-year-old officer who was accompanying his father, also died. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but other bombings have been blamed on Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State.
Associated Press, Yemen general's son died alongside father in Aden bombing.
The United States has approved the $176 million sale of rocket launchers to Bahrain. The Pentagon announced the sale had been approved by the U.S. State Department. It involves an agreement for M270 multiple launch rocket systems upgrade and related equipment. Lockheed Martin Corp. is the principal contractor.
Reuters, U.S. approves potential sale of rocket launchers to Bahrain - Pentagon.
Defense Daily, State Department approves potential $176 million deal to upgrade Bahrain's M270 MLRS.
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The United States is "deeply disappointed and troubled" that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps was allowed to display weapons at a defense exhibition in Qatar. Without acknowledging that the Iranians were invited by Qatar, a statement from the State Department said: "We utterly reject their presence at the show and its maritime defense exhibit, as it is Iran that is the biggest threat to maritime stability in the Gulf region. Transactions related to Iranian weapons are generally sanctionable under multiple US authorities, including sanctions related to terrorism and weapons of mass destruction."
Al Arabiya, US 'deeply disappointed and troubled' by IRGC presence in Qatar.
Qatar said it will keep gas flowing to Europe even though it could get better prices in Asia. As countries in Europe try to wean themselves off fuel from Russia, Qatar's energy minister said the Gulf state is "in solidarity with Europe." and will keep supplying liquefied natural gas. Under contracts, Qatar can divert LNG supplies away from Europe to other customers, mainly in Asia, if they are willing to pay more. Most of Qatar's gas supply to Europe is contractually divertible, but Minister Saad Al-Kaabi said: "We're not going to divert and will keep them in Europe. Even if there is financial gain for us to divert away, we would not do that.. That's in solidarity with what's going on in Europe."
CNN, Qatar will stand 'in solidarity' with European countries during energy crisis.
Saudi Arabia plans a land bridge connecting its east and west, and costs may spiral to $26 billion. Contracts are expected to be signed within a year, and the project would take five to seven years to complete. The project is considered the most important in Saudi Arabia, will raise the level of the existing road from Riyadh to the Eastern Province, and will include seven logistic centers.
Arab News, Saudi Arabian land bridge project costs could reach $26 billion.
A British judge awarded child custody to the ex-wife of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. The ruling capped a three-year custody battle between Sheikh Mohammed and his former wife, Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein, the half-sister of Jordan's King Abdullah II. Sheikh Mohammed also must pay $730 million for the children's long-term maintenance and security.
Al Jazeera, UK court grants Dubai ruler's ex-wife custody of children.
Iran said Saudi Arabia has been contradictory in talks on improving relations and that negotiations are suspended. "Mixed messages have been received from the kingdom," Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said. Iraq has been brokering the talks and said earlier they would resume on March 16. The date came and went, and Iranian news sources said Iran had "unilaterally suspended talks with Saudi Arabia."
Reuters, Iran's foreign minister says Riyadh sending mixed messages on normalization.
Iran's foreign minister claims his country is ready to reach a nuclear agreement, blames the United States for delay, and says the U.S. should stop "wasting time." Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, in Beirut, said: "We believe that if there is a realistic American vision in dealing with the situation, we will very soon see the birth of this nuclear deal."
Associated Press, Iran blames US for delays in reaching nuclear deal.
Reuters, Iran's foreign minister says nuclear deal can be reached if U.S is pragmatic.
The United Arab Emirates is operating a second unit of its Barakah nuclear energy plant, doubling the electricity it sends to the national grid. The two units provide 1,400 megawatts each, and the UAE predicts that the plant will produce 85% of the country's clean electricity by 2025.
Al-Monitor, UAE expands nuclear power plant, doubles electricity production.
Iran plans to increase crude oil production to 4 million barrels a day this year. Production in February was 2.5 million barrels a day, and Iran expects the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna to end and it will resume large-scale production. A key area of development will be the West Karoun cluster of oilfields, Mohsen Khojasteh Mehr, head of the National Iranian Oil Company, said.
OilPrice, Iran prepares to ramp up oil production to 4 million bpd.
The United States announced that $64 million in food aid will be provided to Lebanon. The U.S. Embassy in London said: "In response to growing food security needs in Lebanon the United States is providing nearly $64 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help feed vulnerable people in Lebanon."
Al Arabiya, US announces $64 mln in emergency food aid for struggling Lebanon.
Lebanon's prime minister Najib Mikati said the cloud hanging over the country from a dispute with Gulf states should "disappear in the near future." He said announcements from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait bode well, and the office of Lebanese President Michel Aoun issued a statement: "The presidency is satisfied with the positive reaction from the Arab countries, because this is what President Aoun was seeking."
Asharq Al-Awsat, Mikati voices optimism on Lebanese-Gulf relations.
A Lebanese judge ordered central Lebanese judge ordered central bank governor Riad Salameh to appear for questioning next week. The order followed a charge of illicit enrichment, which Salameh denied. Judge Nicolas Mansour also ordered Salameh's brother, Raja, to remain in custody following his jailing a week ago when he was charged with complicity in the same case.
Reuters, Lebanese judge calls c. bank governor for questioning.
A Lebanese military court charged a leading Christian politician with causing the deaths of seven followers of Hezbollah and an allied party. An official in Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces party said the charge against him was political. The seven people were killed in October in fighting in Beirut. Geagea is a strong critic of Hezbollah and has denied previous accusations that his party was responsible for the deaths.
Reuters, Lebanese military court charges Christian politician Geagea over Beirut violence, judicial source says.
Fewer than one in three Jordanian voters went to the polls in local elections this week. The elections, which included representatives to the Amman city council, saw most Jordanians refraining from voting, which was attributed to widespread disillusionment with the country's political system.
Middle East Eye, Jordan local elections: Low turnout as tribal dealings and cynicism leave voters cold.
MORE: Kuwait's emir grants pardons to release 595 inmates, Asharq Al-Awsat... Turkey urges Libya to avoid steps that could renew clashes, Reuters... Sudan's c. bank to inject hard currency into banks, agency reports, Reuters... IMF to visit Tunisia for talks as default fears loom, Zawya... Tunisia may not be able to repay IMF, says U.S. bank, Middle East Monitor... First cruise ship in three years docks in Tunisia, AFP..
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