Oil has moved many countries in the Persian Gulf – namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – from global obscurity to some of the richest, most technologically advanced nations on earth. But that transformation doesn’t come without consequences, as outlined in in Jim Krane’s new book Energy Kingdoms: Oil and Political Survival in the Persian Gulf.

In the book, Krane expounds on how the Middle East has also emerged as a leading voice in energy use innovation, and how it is utilizing its influence with regards to conversations on climate change. These talks segue into the regions political power as the region continues to grow economically.

Join us as WCPN’s Tony Ganzer talks with Krane about the history of oil’s influence on governance in the Persian Gulf and the region’s current energy conundrum and struggle to remain viable in a climate-stressed world.