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  • Virtual Briefing Series
  • Shifting Vulnerability: Saudi Oil After the East-West Pipeline Attack

    September 23, 2026

    11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    Economics, Energy, Regional International Politics, Gulf and Arabian Peninsula

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    Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline is back in operation after drone strikes by Iran-backed militias in Iraq shut it down for more than 10 days, dealing another blow to global energy markets. How vulnerable is this alternative route for the kingdom and the world economy?

    This on-the-record virtual briefing featured MEI Senior Fellow Colby Connelly, who focuses on oil and natural gas markets. Connelly is also the head of Middle East content and senior analyst at Energy Intelligence, based in Dubai. The briefing additionally featured Yesar Al-Maleki, an MEI Affiliate and a Gulf analyst at the Middle East Economic Survey. Our experts examined the new geopolitical risk hanging over the oil market, what the potential loss of more global oil supply could mean for the world economy and Saudi Arabia, and the potential oil market buffers outside of the Persian Gulf.

    Zeina Al-Shaib
    Zeina Al-Shaib
    Staff

    Zeina Al-Shaib

    Senior Director of Communications and Events

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