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Saudi King Salman appointed Ahmed Al-Issa as director-general of the General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), part of the Presidency of State Security (PSS), in a series of security-related appointments.

Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (Nejada) commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has said Iranian shipping faces increased piracy risks in the Red Sea. Nejada has maintained a continuous at-sea presence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since 2008, usually consisting of a frigate and one of its two Bandar Abbas class light replenishment oilers, sometimes supplemented by a third ship. 

The Iranian Holy Defense News Agency gave prominence to a ceremony on 22 May that celebrated the return to frontline service of a single grounded Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (Iriaf) F-14 Tomcat. The F-14 entered service in 1974 and was retired by the US in 2006, but Iran has been forced to retain it and other obsolescent US models, including F-4 Phantoms, due to international sanctions.

Israel is adopting a more proactive, aggressive approach to countering the Iranian nuclear threat and regional ambitions with covert action against Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) figures in Tehran and the four-week Exercise Chariots of Fire, which is expected to culminate with a simulated air strike and commando attacks on Iran.

There have been signs of an uptick in engagement between the United States and Saudi Arabia, as President Joe Biden’s administration looks for a new balance in its relationship with Riyadh.

The UAE Ministry of Defence has cut the length of national service for male recruits holding a high school diploma or above, from 16 to 11 months. However, those without a high school diploma will now have to serve three years, up from two years previously. The national service for female recruits will be 11 months, down from 12 months previously.

Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri inaugurated a drone factory in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 17 May. Bagheri had arrived the previous day, to be greeted on arrival in the Tajik capital by chief of the general staff Lieutenant General Imomali Sobirzoda.

Iran appears to have succeeded in placing at least one surveillance mini-satellite into orbit in late December, based on imagery released this month showing large parts of the Bahraini capital Manama, including the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet.

British prosecutors have accused two former defence industry executives of orchestrating the payment of millions of pounds of bribes in Saudi Arabia, some of which went to Prince Miteb Bin Abdullah.

Recently appointed United States Central Command (Centcom) commander General Michael Kurilla held a meeting with then Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) at Qasr Al-Shati, Abu Dhabi on 12 May, some three months after his predecessor had seemingly been denied an audience with MBZ.

The foreign policy stage is perhaps even more intriguing than domestic power politics as President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) formally takes over in Abu Dhabi. As de facto leader, MBZ has taken the UAE on a distinctly muscular foreign policy journey – albeit with limited returns given the financial, personnel and reputational costs involved. In recent years, the projection of hard power has been scaled back.

GSN Risk Grade – F6. Alimi takes charge: Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chairman Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi held talks with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdelaziz at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on 28 April, with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in attendance.

Regular analysis of satellite imagery of Perim Island in the Bab El Mandeb strait over recent weeks suggests a new 1,900m runway planned by the UAE remains incomplete, although enough of it has been built to mean it is probably usable by tactical transport aircraft.

Oman has used its good offices to secure the release of more than a dozen foreign nationals in Yemen, including crew members of the UAE-flagged cargo ship Rwabee, which was captured by Houthi rebels in January.

The Iranian Army (Artesh) put a number of previously-unseen pieces of kit on display during the annual Army Day parade in Tehran on 18 April. The parade, overseen by President Ebrahim Raisi, featured the army’s ground forces, Air Force, Air Defence Force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (Nejada).