ISIL Is Taking Iraq's Black Gold to the Black Market
The narrative of a ruthlessly managed, financially savvy rebel group just got a new chapter. By Steve LeVine
Libya Is Working With Rebels to Protect Tripoli's Oil
And in an odd but very profitable move, they're only putting a little bit on the market at a time. By Steve LeVine
Who Needs Sanctions? Oil, Gas Markets Are Hitting Moscow
Threats of more sanctions come at a time when Putin is being punished by a surge in supplies of gas and oil, its main exports. By Steve LeVine
How Iraq's Insurgency Could Mean the Return of Iraq's Baathists
A possible resurgence of former Saddam Hussein loyalists could translate to a diminished role for ISIL extremists than their violent land grabs would have you believe. By Steve LeVine
Chaos in Iraq's Oil Fields Is Shifting the World's Attention Back to Saudi Arabia
Gains made by marauding extremists in Iraq's north are already shaking up the global energy market. Here's what it could mean for Saudi Arabia's importance to the world. By Steve LeVine
How Baghdad Might Fall: Plain Old Bribery
A much-underestimated driver in war is cold, hard cash – and ISIS has plenty of it. By Steve LeVine
How Fighting in Iraq Is Helping the Kurds -- and Oil Companies
The current offensive in Iraq may be the tipping point for Kurdistan and the disputed, oil-rich province of Kirkuk. By Steve LeVine
Will Putin Annex Eastern Ukraine?
Moscow says it will 'implement' eastern Ukraine's referendum to join Russia, leaving many wondering what exactly that means. By Steve LeVine
New Sanctions Close In On Putin
Before closing a noose around Putin's personal wealth, Obama may be aiming to hit him where it really hurts. By Steve LeVine
Why Putin Isn't Worried About Sanctions
Global energy actors seem to be tripping over themselves to make Putin feel secure. By Steven LeVine
Putin Isn't Invading Ukraine -- He's Sabotaging It
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy seems to be not to actually invade Ukraine, instead he’s following the playbook he used to annex Crimea. By Steve LeVine
Putin Now Gets to Rewrite Rules Meant to Prevent World War III
The United Nations charter says clearly no country can annex another forcible. Now that Putin has, he gets to write some rules of his own. By Steve LeVine
China is Building a 'New Silk Road' in Afghanistan
Meanwhile, the Pentagon and State Department's plans for a similar transportation network remains in the idea phase. By Steve LeVine
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