The Gulf states and Ukraine: Why are Washington’s Arab allies tilting in different directions?

The divergence in views may indicate geopolitical shifts in the Persian Gulf, but may equally be tactics employed to gain leverage with Washington

Iran, Russia, and China begin joint naval drills in Gulf of Oman

The start of these drills comes just days after US and Israeli air forces began a two-week air drill reportedly focused on Iran

China reveals plans for military cooperation with Arab states

China, South Korea, and Japan have been Arab nations' leading export destinations over the past ten years

Xi Jinping ends landmark KSA visit by calling on Arab states to embrace multipolar world

Leaders from across West Asia and Africa travelled to the Saudi capital to meet with the Chinese president

US to deploy 100 unmanned vessels in Persian Gulf

The US Forces Central Command chief called the development of “adversary drones” the greatest technological threat to regional security

Biden turns to emergency oil reserves after latest snub from Gulf partners

The SPR has shrunk to its lowest levels in nearly four decades, as Washington continues to use the emergency reserves to keep fuel prices down

War of words escalates as Washington says Riyadh ‘coerced’ Gulf nations to cut oil production

Despite the recent US posturing, officials in Washington say the White House has no plans to cut military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, fearing this would foster its bonds with Russia and China

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seizes foreign ship in Persian Gulf

The IRGC have captured several ships smuggling fuel in the Persian Gulf in the past few months

Iran and the Persian Gulf monarchies: Diplomacy remains their only option

Reconciliation between Iran and the GCC will reap vast mutual benefits, while conflict only serves those outside the Persian Gulf

How Arab states perceive the US-China standoff

West Asian countries recognize China’s sovereign claims over Taiwan, yet many of them still rely on the US militarily and politically, so where do they stand?

Egyptian president begins two-nation Gulf tour in Oman

President Sisi is expected to arrive in Manama the next day to discuss regional and international issues with Bahraini officials

Israel sets up ‘regional air defense alliance’ with US, Gulf allies

The news comes as Tel Aviv has been openly pushing for a normalization of ties with Saudi Arabia

Biden’s West Asia tour is put on hold as the US loses its grip on the Gulf

US President Joe Biden’s decision to delay visits to Israel and Saudi Arabia will only bolster Moscow’s diplomatic advances in West Asia

Syrian FM calls on Arab states to maintain ties with Iran

The foreign minister also condemned the illegal US occupation in Syria, and called out western intervention in Ukraine

Several West Asian states condemn Israel’s storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque

The UAE and Bahrain called on Israel to respect the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the rights of Palestinian worshippers

Four signs a US-Gulf ‘divorce’ is in the making

The rapid-fire 'messages' directed at Washington from old Persian Gulf allies are brutal, and strongly suggest that the days of US hegemony are done

West Asia transforms: Twenty Arab states in China’s BRI sights

‘A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind.’ So says a Chinese proverb, and nowhere is this truer than in crisis-ridden West Asia, now a major focus of Beijing’s BRI vision to bring infrastructure, connectivity and economic growth to this struggling region

MbS visits Qatar for the first time since Persian Gulf dust settled

Experts say that MbS visited Qatar to put an end to tensions, as well as to unify the GCC against the Vienna talks

Saudi Crown Prince begins tour of GCC states ahead of Riyadh’s annual summit

According to Saudi officials, the summit will focus on Iran against the backdrop of the Vienna talks

UAE, France seal $19bn arms deal as French President begins a two-day trip to the Gulf

The record-setting deal signals a deepening of security and military ties between Paris and Abu Dhabi

Russia is primed for a Persian Gulf security ‘makeover’

Russia is the one state with the necessary clout, tools, sweeteners and relationships to nudge the Persian Gulf into a new security paradigm

Russia looking to broker Iran-Saudi deal to promote security in the Persian Gulf

The strategy by the Kremlin is their latest attempt to promote stability in West Asia as Washington's influence continues to wane

Muslim states support China’s Xinjiang vocational camps, so why is the West so furious?

Muslim states have positively embraced China's vocational camps in Xinjiang – many of which were funded by the World Bank. If Muslim nations applaud China's deradicalization and reintegration plans for its Uighur community, why is the West up in arms?

Arab states edge closer to reconciliation with Syria

The traditional position of Damascus as regional mediator has been sorely missed in tumultuous West Asia. Now Arab states are lining up to re-establish relations with Syria, but face a hard American veto on diplomacy.

The Iran-Saudi deal: A bid to end endless war

The Beijing-brokered rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh is expected to have significant implications for peace and prosperity in and around West Asia, given the considerable influence the two nations wield in the region.

Putin, Sultan of Oman discuss bilateral cooperation

The phone call, the first between the two countries' leaders, comes amid a reshuffling of relations in West Asia at the expense of the US

Advisor to Iran Supreme Leader holds talks with Assad

The Syrian president and top Iranian official discussed international developments, including the resumption of Iran-Saudi ties

Flights between Bahrain and Iran to resume ‘soon’: MP

Iranian officials announced that the Iranian and Bahraini embassies will soon be reopened on the heels of a Chinese-brokered rapprochement deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia

Assad arrives in UAE for official visit as relations warm

The Gulf countries continue to improve relations with Syria despite opposition from Washington

Qatar commits $500k to families of Huwara rampage victims

Qatar's foreign ministry considers the actions of Israelis against Palestinians 'an extension' of 'systematic crimes'