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Insurgency fighters are trickling back to Saudi Arabia and appear to be planning a new home front, choosing targets that will reduce the risk of alienating the public. Some elements of a divided g...
Iraq is far from turning a corner in its struggle to restore a semblance of peace and implement workable federal governance arrangements, but the Baghdad security conference did represent a potent...
In a bravado performance, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the presidency his own in his first year in office. Now, this uniquely Iranian politician is under pressure from a range of sources, with both key elements ….
The court of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan (MBZ) takes on a new status and a clearly defined role under reforms announced by the emirate’s Ruler and UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed.
President Saleh has suspended negotiations with the three-year old Zaidi insurgency, and decided on a fresh military offensive in the north-west. Southern Arabias shift on to a war footing is closely …..
Defence and culture comprise the twin prongs of Paris reinvigorated Gulf diplomacy, with art in Abu Dhabi and an officer school for Qataris the tools of Jacques Chiracs parting effort to underpi...
Excellence in sport and political ambition, even recognition by the Davos forum as next generation global leaders, mark out the elite of twentysomething Gulf royals at least those in the ruling ...
Deep rifts have opened in the Al-Saud elite over international policy and the internal balance of power. Coming after a period of steady reform and intensifying concern about regional security, Ki...
Al-Wefaq raised its profile by making the international headlines during Bahrain’s recent legislative elections, but the Shiite Islamist party will need to display a deft touch, if it is to hold Bahrain’s government to account without the support of defeated secular allies who could have assured it of a parliamentary majority.
At the heart of the northern emirates’ energy infrastructure and striving to broaden its economic base, Sharjah has powerful commercial reasons to ensure the conclusion of this crucial import agreement with Iran.
Through history Kuwait has energetically asserted its independence, while Iraqi nationalists have jealously eyed what Saddam Hussein called his ‘Nineteenth Province’. Cross-border connections run deep, and these are impacting on business today
Taking the political temperature in Lebanon and Syria, it seems that after nearly two years of unalloyed bad headlines, Damascus is enjoying something of a comeback.
The industry that mushroomed to speculate on Saudi succession during the late King Fahd’s long illness has been in abeyance since Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz took the throne, but the announcement of a princely panel to formalise succession will set the rumour mill buzzing again – especially if it really weakens the Sudeiris’ hold on power.
Self-condence is not lacking in Qatar, a decade after the palace coup that brought Emir Sheikh Hamad to power. Dohas spectacular 8bn bid for Thames Water and glitzy Asian Games preparations are c...
