May 10, 2019
Russia plays oil diplomacy card in Middle East
Russia has leveraged its oil and gas market power to enhance its influence in the Middle East, just as the U.S. is pulling back from the region.
Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images
As the United States has pulled back from the Middle East — politically and economically — a new powerbroker is trying to move in: Russia. Moscow has leveraged its oil market power to partner with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the oil cartel’s most powerful member, Saudi Arabia.
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