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Moussi’s rise could invite interference in Tunisia

Location:

TUNISIA

Her anti-Islamist, socially conservative Free Destourian Party (FDP) topped recent public opinion polls. Moussi -- currently an opposition leader in parliament -- glorifies many…

Gulf-Iran diplomatic breakthroughs will be piecemeal

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GULF STATES/IRAN

He declined to confirm reports of a Saudi visit preparing to reopen diplomatic facilities closed in 2016, pending further progress. A fourth round of negotiations between Saudi…

Omani-Saudi-Emirati tensions may rise in the Gulf

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GULF STATES/OMAN

Former territorial tensions between Muscat and its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) neighbours have receded in recent decades, allowing smoother cross-border links. However, the…

Saudi focus on Iran risks stoking regional instability

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi policy in the Middle East.

Gulf states' ties with Iraqi Kurdistan face limits

Location:

GULF STATES

Amid a tightening of control by the Iraqi central government, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), particularly the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), is attempting to…

Iran deal will stoke Saudi, UAE regional activism

Location:

GULF STATES

Obama will seek to gain their support for a final deal on Iran's nuclear programme and reassure them that the United States remains committed to regional security. This is likely…

Syrian Arab League return hopes will stall

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SYRIA

The effort to restore Syria's membership, supported by most members but not all of the leading ones, has slowed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the start of protests in…

Surrender to Riyadh will raise domestic risks for Doha

Location:

QATAR

The crisis between Doha and its rivals in the Arab world, led by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, has escalated further after yesterday's intervention by US President Donald Trump, who took…

Turkey crisis is new blow to Saudi regional ambitions

Location:

GULF STATES

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states' ties with Turkey have improved considerably since 2014, driven by changing regional geopolitics. Sharp divisions that emerged in the wake of…

China will focus on Middle East energy, not politics

Location:

MIDDLE EAST/CHINA

A significant proportion of imports come from the Middle East, where security-driven supply risks -- and Saudi Arabia’s production restraint -- are also helping to drive up oil…