Israel's Mediterranean Gas

This book examines the internal and external implications of Israel's natural gas discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean. The nation's changed status from being an importer of coal and oil to that of an exporter of natural gas has consequences not only for the energy sector but also for the fragile geopolitics of the region. The book: - Explores the challenges and issues of energy economics and governance; - Analyses Israel's gas diplomacy with its neighbours in the Middle East and North Africa and its potential positive impact on the amelioration of the Arab-Israeli conflict; - Studies how Israel can avoid the deleterious impact of the Dutch disease once the government's share of the export revenues start flowing. The author traces a consummate picture of history, politics, and conflicts that shape the economics of energy in Israel and its future trajectories. A major intervention in Middle East studies, this volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of energy studies, development studies, strategic studies, politics, diplomacy, and international relations. It will also be of interest to government agencies, think-tanks, and risk management firms.

Sujata Ashwarya is an Associate Professor in the Centre for West Asian Studies in Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India. She has published more than 30 research articles in the field of Middle Eastern studies and has written, edited, and co-edited: India-Iran Relations: Progress, Problems and Prospects (2017); Contemporary West Asia: Perspectives on Change and Continuity (co-edited; 2017); Essays on Iran and Israel: An Indian Perspective (2014); and Civil Society, Democracy and State in West Asia (edited; 2010).

Introduction 1 Israel's energy sector: features, policies, and challenges 2 Israel's natural gas discoveries: evolution of the regulatory framework for resource governance 3 Economic implications for Israel: prospects for development of new gas-based sectors 4 Strategic implications for the Mediterranean region: the changing political-economic scenario and Israeli gas exports Conclusions Glossary Bibliography Index