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Aid cuts would hit US influence

Location:

UNITED STATES

On January 18, a Gallup study found that global approval of US leadership had fallen to 30%, a record low, down from 48% in 2016 and 1 percentage point behind China; Germany has…

Yemen's Huthis will signal resilience

Location:

YEMEN

This appears to be the first Huthi response to the January 12 US and UK strikes on northern Yemen. On January 13, US President Joe Biden said Washington had delivered a message…

China will prioritise domestic over foreign policy

Location:

CHINA

President Xi Jinping in a speech commended the accomplishments of China’s leadership since he came to power over a decade ago. At a time when China faces growing economic…

Gulf states’ soft power policies will expand

Location:

GULF STATES

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pursued a multipolar global soft power policy since the early 2000s in order to boost their international reputations and attract investment…

Iran's military set for more aggressive stance in Gulf

Location:

IRAN

Tensions between the Gulf states and Iran have escalated significantly in 2016, in the wake of Iran's signing of a landmark deal in 2015 that brought to an end the decade-long…

US policy will threaten the Iran nuclear deal

Location:

IRAN/US

Although the extension is not a formal violation, it reflects rising tensions over the July 2015 deal. The US presidential election victory of Donald Trump has raised questions…

Saudi-Iraqi rapprochement will proceed gradually

Location:

IRAQ/SAUDI ARABIA

Last month, Saudi Arabia pledged to link Iraq up to its national grid to help address electricity shortfalls. Indeed, after years of frozen ties, Saudi Arabia has recently stepped…

Iran may prioritise cyber espionage, not attack

Location:

IRAN

Before the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement, many observers expected Tehran to increase its use of asymmetric capabilities, especially cyber tools, in retaliation…

Intra-Shia strains in Iraq could spiral out of control

Location:

IRAQ

Sadr’s resignation was triggered by his failure to form a government after ten months. His attempts have resulted in a hardening of divisions within the Shia community. The latest…

Oman will strengthen security amid Gulf tensions

Location:

OMAN

With an ageing head of state, Oman must prepare for a post-Sultan Qaboos era, with some of its key policies at odds with those of other Gulf governments.