Gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean raised hopes that shared interests in the region’s hydrocarbon wealth could help reshape the geopolitics of a region that has long been beset by conflict and political disputes. But twenty years on, a recently published Crisis Group report, Rethinking Gas Diplomacy in the Eastern Mediterranean, shows that the picture is mixed. Gas deals have improved relations between Israel and some of its neighbours while allowing them to also reap economic benefits. To Palestinians, offshore gas reserves have offered neither economic nor political payoffs. Panellists:Nigar Göksel, Crisis Group Türkiye Project DirectorJoost Hiltermann, Crisis Group Middle East and North Africa Program DirectorLapo Pistelli, ENI Director of Public AffairsMona Sukkarieh, Political Risk ConsultantModerator: Claudia Gazzini, Crisis Group Senior Libya Analyst

Source: The North Africa Journal June 05, 2023 16:00 UTC