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Damascus-dominated dialogue will sideline opposition

Location:

SYRIA

The National Coalition (NC), another Syrian opposition grouping, also condemned the plan as an effort to circumvent “the international desire for political transition”. However…

Syria diplomacy will make little headway

Location:

SYRIA

As one of the insurgency's key external backers, Riyadh is seeking to create a united political front for the Syrian opposition ahead of proposed international talks in Vienna on…

Saudi Arabia will seek Arab diplomatic leadership

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

This comes as the US Yemen envoy engages on a new Saudi-Huthi peace mission, while Washington and Iran intensify Vienna talks on a return to the nuclear deal. Riyadh is…

Wary Gulf states will struggle for consensus on Iran

Location:

GULF STATES/IRAN

European-backed negotiations in Vienna to bring the United States and Iran back into compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal have changed the…

Lingering border dispute will hamper Lebanon gas hopes

Location:

LEBANON

The Lebanon-Israel maritime border dispute.

Turkish drilling off Cyprus risks destabilising region

Location:

TURKEY/CYPRUS

Turkey is prospecting for hydrocarbons off Cyprus in direct response to the Cypriot government’s identification of major gas reserves. The Yavuz will drill in an area which the…

Iraqi-led referendum response will be measured

Location:

IRAQ

He said talks should be based on a rejection of the referendum result, adherence to the national constitution and the continued unity of Iraq. However, he also reiterated that…

Norms can undermine Middle East and Africa transitions

Location:

MENA/ AFRICA

Transitions following a peace agreement are typically seen as major opportunities for democratisation and new constitution making, and sometimes for national dialogue…

Russia will exploit tension but will not encourage war

Location:

RUSSIA

Russia maintains a delicate balance in the Middle East, preserving a close relationship with Shia-majority Iran and a security presence in neighbouring Syria while seeking…

Iran deal's foreign investment impact would be limited

Location:

IRAN

Indirect negotiations with the United States over a mutual return to the 2015 nuclear deal are facing delays while the transition team of President-elect Ibrahim Raisi moves into…