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As it focuses on what many in Washington view as Iran’s uncomfortable rise up the international pecking order, US analysts are reappraising old ideas about detaching Syria from the so-called Shia Crescent linking Iran and Hizbollah in Lebanon. This so-called ‘Wedge Theory’ argued that a strategic deal with Syria, most likely involving peace with Israel and international rehabilitation, could be used to induce Damascus to end its strategic alliance with Iran and cut off one avenue of support for Hizbollah and Hamas.

Policy-makers are looking at Somalia’s politics to tackle the root causes of the problem, in a fractured state where there have been 15 attempts to create a viable national government since the 1992 overthrow of late dictator Siad Barre. 

While Western governments have been fretting over Yemen’s jihadist threat, Ali Abdullah Saleh is confronted by other challenges. Overt opposition from the influential Sheikh Tareq Bin Nasser Al-Fadhli is accelerating a gathering confrontation between the Sanaa regime and an embittered and neglected southern population – which holds the risk of a disastrous new conflict splitting the troubled

Tensions are clearly rising in southern Yemen. The late April demonstration in Mukalla spilled over into minor violence, and although no one died, the seriousness of these events

With an election looming, and continued Shia and Kurdish opposition, Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s efforts to bring Sunnis into the political fold are proving difficult and costly. Sunnis are complaining that Baghdad is inconsistent, and at times unfair, in its approach to Awakening and Sons of Iraq groups across the country

Since his early April declaration of opposition to the Saleh regime, Sheikh Tareq Bin Nasser Al-Fadhli has been bombarded with messages of support from expatriate southern Yemenis. His stance is seen as a recognition of local anger

KING ABDULLAH: Eastern Province tour and Mitchell visit, Hussa Bint Trad: Prominent role, CP Sultan: Still in New York, Mansour Bin Miteb: Women may get municipal vote, Turki Al-Faisal: New York and London, Abdullah Bin Miteb Bin AbdullahA: Show jumping success, Faisal Bin Salman: Think tank position

The Abu Dhabi ruling family has earned international respect for its discreet behaviour and traditionally unostentatious stewardship of its huge wealth, so that some senior Al-Nahyan were genuinely embarrassed at the media circus surrounding Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed’s takeover of British football club Manchester City.

When Saddam Hussein’s regime fell in 2003, a sizeable portion of the Arab Socialist Baath Party leadership fled to Syria, Jordan and other regional states. Jihadist fighters have travelled to Iraq from Arabian Peninsula sites such as Saudi Arabia or Yemen, or repressive Arab states such as

Emir Sheikh Hamad: Eyes Porsche, Jooan Bin Hamad: Rally success, Sheikha Hanadi: Dana Gas board

Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has married a daughter of Education Minister Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al-Nahayan.

Bahrain’s King has earned a breathing space, but only real concessions can defuse the impact of a soon to be launched extra-parliamentary alliance with political and religious appeal.

Emir Sheikh Hamad: Bulgaria and Belarus, HBJ: Letter from Charles, HBJ: US visit

Defunct Miami-based internet phone company Latin Node Inc has agreed to pay a $2m fine after pleading guilty for violating the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. It was charged with paying bribes to officials in Honduras and Yemen in exchange for favourable interconnection rates.

CP Sultan: Out of hospital, Musad Bin Abdelaziz: Hospitalised, Mishaal Bin Abdallah: Appointed Najran governor, Abdelrahman Bin Mohammed: Ibn Saud grandson dies, Al-Sauds: Princesses mourned, Abdelaziz Bin Fahd: Geneva holiday