MIKHAIL KRUTIKHIN is an analyst on the oil and gas industry and politics in Russia, a co-founder of the RusEnergy consultancy in Moscow. He previously served as editor-in-chief of the Russian Petroleum Investor and as associate editor of the Caspian Investor monthly magazines. In 1972–1992 he worked for TASS news agency in Moscow, Cairo, Damascus, Tehran and Beirut, rising from correspondent to chief of bureau. A graduate from Moscow State University majoring in Iranian linguistics, he later obtained his PhD in modern history.