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gulf states

Bahrain: The only Arabs to join US Red Sea task force
Middle East

Bahrain: The only Arabs to join US Red Sea task force

The Houthis are attacking in their backyard, but other Gulf state nations have their reasons for holding back

Is carnage in Gaza bringing Iran and Saudi Arabia closer?
Middle East

Is carnage in Gaza bringing Iran and Saudi Arabia closer?

Perhaps, but tensions remain and interests diverge when it comes a 'pan-Islamic' response to Israel

Iranian-Saudi deal: They didn't do it for love
Middle East

Iranian-Saudi deal: They didn't do it for love

Taking stock after six months: 'The decision to restore relations was made by both sides with cold calculation.'

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Middle East

Turns out 'rethink' was a threat not a promise in US-Saudi spat

Once the midterms were over, all mention of holding MBS accountable disappeared, and in fact Biden now seems to be catering to him.

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Middle East

China dips toes in the Gulf, puts Iran on the defensive

Beijing and Iran always had 'convenient' relations, but the former's visit to Saudi Arabia exposed some new limits.

The myth of an emerging 'Mideast NATO'
Middle East

The myth of an emerging 'Mideast NATO'

Israel wants to forge a military alliance with Gulf states to check Iran. But the Israeli ambitions risk too much and offer too little.