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

Exclusive: The hidden security clauses of the Iran-Saudi deal

The Cradle reveals confidential clauses of the agreement struck between Tehran and Riyadh, which was reached courtesy of Beijing.

IRGC Navy holds military drills in Persian Gulf

The IRGC tested various classes of its naval missiles, smart subsurface unmanned systems, bomber drones, and it's helicopter weaponry

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

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

US and Iran at odds once more over drone fleet operating in Gulf waters

The US and its regional allies have deployed a drone fleet in Gulf waters to carry out 'anti-Iran' operations

UAE national security adviser meets with Qatar emir to discuss bilateral relations

This visit is Sheikh Tahnoon’s second visit to Doha since Saudi Arabia and a coalition of Arab states severed ties with Qatar in 2017

Joe Biden deploys top delegation to UAE in hopes of mending ties with Gulf ally

In a bid to fix the frayed ties between Washington and Abu Dhabi, the US vice president, state secretary, defense secretary, and CIA chief all travelled to the UAE

Ukraine war triggers food security crisis in Arab world and beyond

Russia and Ukraine supply most of West Asia and North Africa’s wheat, which is the integral ingredient in the region’s most critical food staple

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

Israeli Defense Minister in Bahrain to sign security cooperation deal

The impromptu visit comes as tensions in the Gulf have risen following the Yemeni army's attacks on the UAE

Iran, Russia, and China to hold ‘2022 Marine Security Belt’ naval drills in the Indian Ocean

The naval drills will begin just days after the Iranian President visited Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart

Bahrain security forces attack anti-normalization protesters

Opposition to the deepening of ties between Manama and Tel Aviv has increased since the signing of the Abraham Accords

US F-16s arrive in Saudi Arabia amid increased tension in Persian Gulf: video

Predictions for 2023? Annus horribilis with some surprising upsides

The Cradle's writers offer up their predictions for 2023. The common theme is massive global shifts, some good, some bad.

US isolation efforts fail as UAE, Iran mend ties

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al-Nahyan highlighted the importance of cooperation with Iran and congratulated the country for reaching an agreement with Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic ties

US and Saudi policies diverge over Yemen

Riyadh wants to exit its Yemen quagmire and is willing to end the siege on Ansarallah-controlled areas. Washington will have none of that, and is sabotaging a Saudi-Yemeni peace deal.

Iran’s chain poisonings: an act of terrorism, a crime or mass hysteria?

Strange reports of the poisoning of Iranian schoolgirls come amidst a sustained western propaganda campaign for regime change against the Islamic Republic.

An Egyptian plan for Syria: ‘Arab forces’ on the border and Iran out

Arab states pursuing reconciliation with Syria aim to achieve what was unachievable during the war: Breaking Syria's alliances and placing Arab troops on Syrian soil.

Syrian quake triggers Arab debate on defying US sanctions

The recent earthquake in Syria has opened up opportunities for Arab states to reconcile with Syria. But will those with US leverage - like the UAE and Saudi Arabia - be willing to take the ultimate friendship test and bypass Washington's sanctions? 

The Valdai meeting: Where West Asia meets multipolarity

At Russia's Valdai Club meeting - the east's answer to Davos - intellectuals and influencers gathered to frame West Asia's current and future developments.

UAE postponed Netanyahu trip over fear of ‘tension with Iran’: Report

This is reportedly the fifth time the Israeli prime minister’s visit to the Gulf state was postponed or canceled

UAE-based company joins Iranian infrastructure project

The UAE-based company would take a 60 percent stake in the joint venture to develop the transportation industry in Iran's Sarakhs Special Economic Zone

From Russia with Love: Su-35s to Iran will strengthen defense ties

Iran's possible purchase of Russian fighter jets would further solidify the existing strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran, and impact their global power competition with the west.

Iran establishes 2,200 km of strategic ‘underground cities’: IRGC

These strategic sites retain warships able to deploy drones, oceangoing helicopter carriers, missile-launching capabilities, and several other military innovations from the IRGC

In a US-China confrontation, West Asia will bow out

A significant increase in geopolitical and economic ties with China has offered West Asian states an alternative to the US, which has traditionally been the region's security guarantor.

UAE, Israel unveil jointly developed warship to counter ‘Iranian threat’

The unveiling of the vessel comes as part of a major boost in military ties between the two allies

Iranian drone bombs Israeli oil tanker in retaliation for Isfahan explosion

Iran retaliated to previous Israeli attacks targeting military facilities in Isfahan

Bahraini protesters detained in Arab Spring anniversary demonstration

Anti-monarchy demonstrations began on February 14, 2011, and have been held on a regular basis ever since the popular uprising started