The CERAWeek Energy Conference is taking place in Houston, drawing major leaders and experts from the energy sector, including top executives from oil, gas, and tech companies like Amazon Web Services, Google, and Microsoft. With the specter of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly concerning Iran, the event has become a critical platform for discussions on rising oil prices and global energy market instability. Prominent figures, including Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, are set to speak, highlighting pressing geopolitical issues and their impact on energy strategies. As industry stakeholders gather, the big questions center on the future direction of global energy policy and the role of the United States in the Gulf region.