Energy Diplomacy or Energy Security?

Energy in today’s Middle East is no longer merely an economic resource; it has become a central instrument of power, deterrence and geopolitical confrontation. As more than a month has passed since Iran, the United States and Israel entered into direct war, a critical question has come to the forefront: is the region moving towards energy diplomacy, or is it sliding into the full securitization of energy? Energy diplomacy in the Middle East has always been fragile. While there have been periods of cooperation—ranging from oil market coordination to gas projects—such efforts have rarely overcome entrenched security rivalries. Now, in the midst of direct war, energy is increasingly framed not as a platform for cooperation, but as a tool of […]