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Hamas' 7 October attack on Israel and the potentially unprecedented response places the region at the centre of a new Middle East conflict, upending uncomfortable assumptions about normalisation and the remaking of regional economies. GSN 1,178 analyses the attack and its fallout, and addresses speculation surrounding the involvement of the Iranian regime and how Hamas were able to bypass Israeli defences. Another article analyses the reactions around the GSN region. There is a map showing areas under Israeli control and the Palestinian Authority area, attack sites and the movement of various forces. GSN view focuses on Yemen and the prospects for a sustainable deal between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels. GSN looks into pressure on Saudi Arabia to secure peace on its southern border and how Houthi demands might have changed as a response.  Diplomatic brief includes a report on Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled Bin Mohammed’s visit to Serbia and Albania. This issue’s Defence and security section outlines Iranian intentions to establish a military base in Antarctica among other recent military initiatives. Accusations have been levied towards the UAE for supplying weapons to Hemet’s forces in Sudan under the guise of a Chad field hospital. GSN explores the validity of these claims, taking account of evidenced construction in the area, diplomatic relationships and sounding out a range of sources.  There are Risk management reports looking at recent developments in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.

The turmoil that has broken out in Israel and Gaza in recent days may lead to a recalibration by Yemen's Houthis of what they should put on their list of demands and how much pressure they can exert on Saudi Arabia in any further rounds of talks. It might also concentrate minds in Riyadh about the need to secure a viable settlement in Yemen, so that the land beyond its southern border is not a long-term harbour of potential danger.

An analysis of Hamas' lightning invasion points as much to Israeli weaknesses as to the Palestinian group's abilities. Hamas clearly knew its enemy well and was well set up to exploit Israeli weaknesses, both before battle was joined and as it developed.

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) made a surprise visit to Doha early October, ostensibly for the opening of the International Horticultural Expo 2023 but, in reality, to cement and expand relations between the two countries’ leaderships.

The extent to which Iran knew about, or helped with, the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel remains a point of conjecture. Some were quick to point the finger of suspicion at the Tehran regime, which is undoubtedly a major supplier of military materiel to Hamas and the driving force behind the 'Axis of Resistance' that is now confronting Israel.

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of her fight for women’s rights. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the award also recognised all those who had demonstrated over the past year against the Iranian regime's oppression of women.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani laid the foundation stone of the North Field Expansion Project in Ras Laffan early October. The project will raise Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity from 77m t/yr to 126m t/yr by 2026. 

Saudi Arabia announced that it would bid to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup, soon after football’s world governing body had set out the timetable for the process. It faces a rival bid from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. 

Official statements from the Gulf monarchies have called for de-escalation and international mediation between Hamas and Israel, but there have been notable differences in where blame has been apportioned.

Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on 9 October that Tehran’s diplomatic relations with Sudan were to resume after a seven-year break, with the reopening of embassies in the near future.

Saladin governor warrant: An arrest warrant was issued by Iraq's Federal Commission of Integrity against a former governor of Saladin province, following accusations of corruption involving contracts for water services in the area. A statement by the commission on 7 October said the warrant had been issued under Article 331 of the Penal Code.

A plan by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and British major BP to jointly buy a 50% stake in Israel's NewMed Energy, the largest shareholder in the offshore Leviathan gas field, may yet collapse after a panel set up by NewMed to review their $2bn offer recommended a higher price tag.

Italian major Eni has withdrawn from Block 1, relinquishing a licence it gained in 2019 and casting fresh doubt on Bahrain's ability to exploit its offshore resources. 

QatarEnergy has been awarded the East Port Said exploration block as part of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company's 2022 international bid round. It has also applied for offshore oil and gas blocks 8 and 10 in Lebanon, in a consortium with Eni and TotalEnergies.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled Bin Mohammed arrived in Serbia late September on what was described as a working visit. Apart from cultivating business ties, the purpose of visiting Belgrade and then Tirana, Albania was not clear. However, analysts suggested that the UAE may be trying to mediate between Serbia and the Albanian-majority territory of Kosovo, whose independence is not recognised by Belgrade.