While many economies are struggling with the Strait of Hormuz disruption, some countries are benefiting from higher oil prices. Bob McNally says Vladimir Putin and Russia are among the short-term winners. "Christmas came early for Putin,” says Bob McNally, who advised George W. Bush during the Iraq War and now consults on oil and gas markets. The Trump administration on Thursday briefly eased restrictions on Russian oil shipments. It issued a 30-day license allowing energy traders to buy Russian crude that's already been loaded onto tankers without worrying about getting hit with secondary sanctions The idea is to help keep oil prices from spiking. But for Russia, it also provides a short-term break from sanctions that were meant to limit the Kremlin's ability to pay for its war in Ukraine. #straitofhormuz #globaloil #gasprices #russia