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A $60bn arms deal, the single largest in Middle East history, has sealed an enduring partnership and seen off competition from the UK and Europe

There are a number of difficulties still to overcome, but the neighbours finally appear to have made progress in efforts to settle long-running border disputes and assign landmarks.

While Kuwait and Baghdad have been edging towards compromise in the war of words over Iraq’s Mubarak Al-Kabir port mega-project, tensions are being stoked by threats from an Iraqi militant group with strong Iranian connections. Washington shares Kuwait’s concerns about Kataib Hizbollah’s potential to further inflame tensions in the region

The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (Irin) and the more recently created Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) are developing capabilities that increase their threat to shipping and other targets in the Gulf, Caspian Sea and Gulf of Oman, according to research presented by the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The role of the anti-Qadhafi camp’s most prominent Arab supporters is likely to come under new scrutiny, as sources suggest that Abu Dhabi could play a big role in helping the Benghazi rebels to resume oil production

A draft Saudi anti-terrorism law, which could see peaceful protests classed as terrorism, has drawn widespread criticism from international rights groups.

Counter-terrorism officials continue to fear a simultaneous strike on US and Saudi interests by AQAP. While energy infrastructure remains a potential target, AQAP’s ability to carry out a successful operation is limited and it is seen as more likely that the organisation will pursue a ‘hybrid’ attack that ticks the ‘near enemy’ and ‘far enemy’ boxes, most likely a western compound.

Gulf-based observers say Qatar’s land border with Saudi Arabia along the Khor Al-Udeid inlet at the south-eastern foot of Qatar has changed. According to one Doha-based source, “the border changed a couple of months ago; it has been officially noted by the government mapping agency”.

As the new emir of Al-Qaeda, Ayman Al-Zawahiri and the leadership around him are likely to attempt to continue business as usual and stamp their authority on the organisation. The most visible and effective means of maintaining unity in the ranks will be to carry out more attacks on the West

The Arab world’s recent uprisings present a serious challenge to Al-Qaeda ideology, demonstrating that regimes can be removed through means other than armed jihad and that the US will support the people – undermining a key tenet of Al-Qaeda’s ‘far enemy’ characterisation of the US. Analysts regard the death of Osama Bin Laden on 2 May as less significant. It was a shot in the arm for US President Barack Obama, but delivered little more than raw justice. Even the intelligence trove discovered at Bin Laden’s property in Abbottabad, Pakistan, appears to have lacked operational relevance and was fascinating only to Bin Laden gurus in the US counter-terrorism community.

The US has made it clear to Baghdad that time is running out if Iraqis want it to maintain a military presence after the 31 December deadline for withdrawal. The point of no return is approaching fast

Western governments are reluctant to back popular revolts for fear Al-Qaeda will fill the vacuum if President Saleh goes. But Marib province shows there are several Islamist interests to consider, reports Our Yemen Correspondent

President Ali Abdullah Saleh faces increased pressure as the wave of unrest sweeping the Middle East and North Africa has ignited mass protests on the streets of the capital, Sanaa.

In a show of force, and an attempt to clear mass protests around Pearl Roundabout, the Bahraini security services with the help of its GCC 'brothers' have been deployed across the country. The long-term implications for Bahrain, politically, socially and economically, remain unknown; however, its ramifications could spread beyond the island's borders.

Heavy-handed reaction to demonstrations across the country have resulted in at least 34 deaths, revealing Maliki’s authoritarian approach to dealing with a wide range of grievances