Gulf

Herzog in Ankara: What Türkiye and Israel seek to achieve

Ankara and Tel Aviv have had ups and downs in their ties since the 1950s. But the two countries have been able to find common ground despite their differences.

A new era of Turkish-Iranian competition may be on the horizon

Shifting regional geopolitical dynamics are creating new alliances and competition.

Kuwait defence, interior ministers resign amid tension

Defence Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber al Sabah says his decision was driven by "arbitrary" questioning of ministers that has impeded government work.

Does Israel-UAE cooperation show what a post-US Gulf will look like?

The Israeli president’s recent trip to the UAE served to send a message not only to the Emiratis, but also the wider Arab-Islamic world.

Why tensions are escalating between Yemen’s Houthis and the UAE

The Houthis have targeted the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, as well as Dubai, after the Emirates ramped up its military operations in Yemen.

Trump-Netanyahu relationship was sour despite the ‘Deal of the Century’

A new book penned by an Israeli author reveals the tensions between former US President Trump and the former hardliner Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

What changes will Qatar’s first elections bring to the Gulf country?

Across the oil-rich Gulf, except for Saudi Arabia and Qatar, other states have legislative bodies, which are elected by popular vote. Now Doha also wants to have its own Shura Council elected mostly by people.

What role will Qatar play in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan?

The wealthy Gulf country will continue to be an interlocutor between Western capitals and the Taliban - and potentially one of the first countries to recognise the government.

The rise and decline of political Islam in the Arab world: What’s next?

The autocratic regimes and Islamist parties of the Arab world can take this time to learn from and fix their mistakes, or expect another uprising.

Qatar’s leading role in post-US Afghanistan isn’t a coincidence

The tiny Gulf state has managed to balance ties with the Taliban and the US at the same time, becoming a trusted and reliable mediator between opposing sides.

The year that linked the fates of Afghanistan and the Middle East

The year 1979 is a turning point in the history of the region, as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Islamic revolution in Iran and ‘Seige of Mecca’ laid the groundwork for the rise and victory of the Taliban over forty years later.

Why a private Israeli news channel is making a foray into the UAE

The channel has strong connections to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will broadcast its content from the UAE in a bid to reach Arab audiences.