Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

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

Threats

Why Putin Isn't Worried About Sanctions

Global energy actors seem to be tripping over themselves to make Putin feel secure. By Steven LeVine

Threats

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

Threats

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

Policy

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