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Source: Getty

In The Media
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Who Is Buying ISIL’s Oil?

A multipronged approach is needed stop ISIS from profiting from the oil fields under its control.

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By Carole Nakhle
Published on Nov 30, 2015
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The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: Al Jazeera

Carnegie’s Carol Nakhle joined Al Jazeera’s Hazem Sika and others to discuss ISIS’s oil business. Nakhle argued that in addition to recruiting soldiers, ISIS has been hiring the technicians and engineers required to repair and maintain the oil producing equipment and infrastructure. Much of the oil produced in these fields remains in the captive market that is ISIS-controlled territory, and as such is not linked to global oil prices, she said. A multi-dimensional approach is required to stop ISIS from profiting from the oil fields under its control. 

This interview was originally broadcast on Al Jazeera's Inside Story.

About the Author

Carole Nakhle

Former Nonresident Scholar, Middle East Center

Nakhle was a nonresident scholar at Carnegie Middle East Center, specializing in international petroleum contracts and fiscal regimes for the oil and gas industry, world oil and gas market developments, energy policy, and oil and gas revenue management.

    Recent Work

  • Article
    Nuclear Energy’s Future in the Middle East and North Africa

      Carole Nakhle

  • In The Media
    ISIL Sells Its Oil, But Who Is Buying It?

      Carole Nakhle

Carole Nakhle
Former Nonresident Scholar, Middle East Center
Carole Nakhle
Political ReformEconomySecurityLevantSyriaIraqMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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