Any researcher knows of the important role that energy, especially oil and gas, plays in drafting national policies. In the past, the division of the spheres of influence — particularly in the Arab Mashriq (the region of Arabian countries to the east of Egypt and north of the Arabian Peninsula) — was largely linked to the presence of oil. This is still the case and will always remain so.
Lebanon is facing a new conflict as scientific studies have confirmed the presence of gas and oil in the eastern waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Israel and Cyprus have both started to exploit this resource.