Tyranny on the waters: The UAE-Israeli occupation of Yemen’s Socotra Island

The transformation of Yemen’s strategically-located Socotra Island into an Emirati-Israeli military intelligence hub has raised concerns for the Ansarallah movement and its allies, significantly increasing the geopolitical stakes of the Yemen war.

Erdogan pledges increased water flow to Tigris

Past Turkish promises to alleviate Iraq's water crisis have largely been hollow

Israel’s uncertain future in the wake of Great Power conflict

As global power dynamics continue to shift, Israel's close western alignment could limit its ability to engage with emerging powers in the east. Arch-rival Iran, which has established ties with Russia and China, will be better positioned to gain from the shifting geopolitical landscape.

Russian-Turkish ‘co-opetition’ from Syria to Nagorno-Karabakh

At a time when conflicts are increasingly interconnected, and provide tactical levers to assert pressure elsewhere, the competition between Russia-Iran and Turkiye in Syria and the South Caucasus is destined to overlap.

Syrian sanctions relief: An ‘American trick’

The temporary lifting of Washington's sanctions on earthquake-stricken and war-torn Syria is 'misleading' at best, and stands in the way of relief efforts.

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.

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? 

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.

The terrorism pretext: US-ISIS-Kurdish nexus preserves occupation of Syria

It's getting harder to ignore. The persistent ISIS presence in the Syrian desert only serves US aims to continue its military occupation and support for Kurdish separatism.

Iranian foreign minister arrives in Nicaragua to strengthen bilateral relations

Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said Iran pursues boosting relations with Latin American countries

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.

Israel considers peace with Saudi Arabia possible under new government

Despite their vast differences, both the Israeli opposition and those in power today support attacking Iran while advancing ties with Israel's Arab neighbors

Majority of Israelis dissatisfied with new government lineup: Report

Despite widespread dissatisfaction with the ascension of supremacist officials to key positions, a large portion of citizens say they would not change their vote

Saudi Arabia, Jordan seek to expand relations in 2023

The two Arab states are set to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, investment, trade, energy, transportation, and water

Qatar-related scandal topples European Parliament vice-president

Lobbying efforts by Qatar and UAE of US and EU officials has recently come under intense scrutiny for interfering in internal politics

Turkish attacks on SDF in northern Syria disrupt US oil smuggling

US convoys in Hasakah have been limited to deterring Turkish strikes on oil installations, in fear of further degradation of the decaying infrastructure

Trump accuses Democrats of sabotaging Saudi-Israeli normalization

Trump boasted about being a soldier for Israel, and said he was the president who advanced Israel's goals the most in the past 50 years

Progress in negotiations for Israeli government formation falters

Netanyahu is counting on Donald Trump's victory in the upcoming presidential elections, as it would give Likud the opportunity to approve countless new settlements without backlash

Made in Britain: How London handpicks Iraqi leaders

An investigation into how the British government groomed young, impressionable Iraqis to serve as their political agents.

Maritime deal with Lebanon caused ‘great dissatisfaction’ among Israeli public: Report

The first and second Lebanon war have reportedly traumatized the ranks of the Israeli army

Israel used Pegasus spyware to track down leaders of Lion’s Den: Report

Tel Aviv has implemented a violent crackdown on the occupied West Bank days ahead of crucial elections

Saudi Arabia launches initiative for further economic diversification

Efforts by the kingdom to diversify its economy with new infrastructure projects, as well as tourism and other markets, have forced over a million citizens from their homes

Washington strong-arms Turkey to enforce anti-Russia sanctions: Report

Turkey has remained hesitant about enforcing western sanctions on Russia despite its NATO membership

Global finance vs global energy: who will come out on top?

There is more to the current struggle between the oil-consuming west and the oil-producing nations than meets the eye and it runs far deeper than the war in Ukraine

Oil cuts: A perfect storm in US foreign policy 

The Biden administration’s poor dealings with oil producing countries will have major political and economic ramifications for the west

US lawmakers propose halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Despite promising to make the kingdom a ‘pariah,’ the Biden government has approved billions in weapon sales to Riyadh

Hope for Lebanese government formation dwindles despite optimism

Lebanon's parliament failed to elect a new president last week, with representatives staging a walk-out and casting blank votes in protest

Hurdles may derail maritime deal progress between Lebanon, Israel

Israel alleges that it will receive royalties from Lebanon for all gas sales from the disputed territory

Who profits from Pipeline Terror?

Secret talks between Russia and Germany to resolve their Nord Stream 1 and 2 issues had to be averted at any cost

Can Iran push Russia to action in the South Caucasus?

Moscow and Tehran’s mutual ally, Armenia, is feeling the pressure of NATO-backed Azerbaijan’s assault on its sovereignty. It is in both countries' geopolitical and security interests not to allow Yerevan to fall