Oil and political survival in Persian Gulf region to be discussed at Baker Institute Feb. 6

MEDIA ADVISORY

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Oil and political survival in Persian Gulf region to be discussed at Baker Institute Feb. 6

HOUSTON – (Feb. 5, 2019) – Is the Persian Gulf region becoming a victim of its own success?

Photo by Jeff Fitlow

Dilemmas created by oil wealth now threaten the area’s economies and political systems, according to Jim Krane, an energy fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Krane will talk about those problems in a discussion of his new book, “Energy Kingdoms: Oil and Political Survival in the Persian Gulf,” at the institute Feb. 6.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1986.

Who: Jim Krane, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at the Baker Institute, author and former journalist who spent six years in the Gulf region.

What: A presentation titled “Energy Kingdoms: Oil and Political Survival in the Persian Gulf.”

When: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 6-7:30 p.m. A reception will be at 5:30.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

Oil has transformed the six Gulf monarchies from isolated hermit kingdoms into some of the most cash- and technology-saturated countries on Earth, Krane said. First, government subsidies have driven domestic oil and gas consumption to unprecedented heights, leading Gulf leaders to try to curb domestic use and preserve oil exports — the source of their economic and political power. At the same time, fossil fuels are contributing to climate changes that will make life in the region difficult within the current century, Krane said. But climate action could threaten energy exports, which also serve as the region’s source of strategic security provided by the United States, he said.

At this event, Krane will outline the history of oil’s influence on governance in the Gulf, discussing the region’s current energy conundrum and its struggle to remain viable in a climate-stressed world. A book signing will follow the presentation. Copies of the book will be available for purchase from Brazos Bookstore.

A live webcast of the event will be available at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1986.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media should park in the Central Campus Garage (underground).

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top three university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.