Giorgio Cafiero

New IS leader takes over following Baghdadi’s death

A closer look at the Islamic State's first leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's chosen successor, Abdullah Qardash, offers some insight into what's next for the terror group.

Giorgio Cafiero | Iraq | Oct 28, 2019

A picture taken on October 28, 2019 shows Syrian bikers riding past a damaged car at the site of a suspected US-led operation against Islamic State (IS) chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the previous day, on the edge of the small Syrian village of Barisha in the country's opposition-held northwestern Idlib province. - US President Donald Trump announced that Baghdadi, the elusive leader of the jihadist group and the world's most wanted man, was killed in the early hours of Octobe 27 in an overnight US raid near th

Libyan Salafists fight alongside 'secular' Hifter

Although Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter has often been perceived as a secular leader, his Libyan National Army contains many Salafi fighters.

Giorgio Cafiero | Libya | May 10, 2019

Libyan National Army (LNA) members, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, pose for a picture as they head out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 7, 2019. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori - RC1AEB991490

Qatar scores symbolic victory in soccer win over UAE

An unhealthy rivalry between Qatar and the UAE was on display during the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals, with Emirati fans booing the Qatari national anthem and pelting water bottles at the players.

Giorgio Cafiero | United Arab Emirates | Jan 30, 2019

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Semi-Final - Qatar v United Arab Emirates - Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - January 29, 2019 Qatar's Hasan Al Haydos scores their third goal REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RC142CB29E70

US-Gulf tensions mount over restrictions on Syria reconstruction

Gulf states are seeking to become major economic players in post-war Syria, but US sanctions are causing some states to proceed with caution.

Giorgio Cafiero | United Arab Emirates | Jan 25, 2019

A construction crane is seen as smoke rises from Yarmouk Palestinian camp in Damascus, Syria April 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho - RC16C2D4AC60

Qatar challenges Saudi influence in Lebanon

There has been a vacuum created by a decline of Saudi influence in Lebanon that Qatar now seeks to fill.

Giorgio Cafiero | Saudi Arabia | Jan 23, 2019

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani meets with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun as he arrives to attend the Arab Economic and Social Development summit meeting in Beirut, Lebanon January 20, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir - RC1CA2F76AB0

Gulf states slowly warm to Damascus

Gulf states are turning their backs on supporting armed groups in Syria and preparing to re-engage the government in Damascus.

Giorgio Cafiero | Gulf | Jan 9, 2019

Security guards stand in front of the United Arab Emirates embassy during its reopening in Damascus, Syria December 27, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1F43BEB420

Kuwait breaks from GCC on warming up to Israel

While Kuwait is joining its fellow GCC nations in terms of supporting Syria's return to the Arab League, Kuwaiti officials want nothing to do with Israel.

Giorgio Cafiero | Gulf | Jan 7, 2019

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah attends a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser - RC1E163FE170

Khashoggi’s murder three months on: new clues, new dynamics?

Unresolved questions linger in the murder of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, but authorities are hoping chilling new footage might provide clues.

Giorgio Cafiero | Saudi Arabia | Jan 2, 2019

Turkish police forensic experts examine the roof of the residence of Saudi Arabia's Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi as a part of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey October 17, 2018. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RC16743EB6C0

What will 2019 have in store for dysfunctional GCC?

The Gulf Cooperation has essentially been split in, with Qatar, Kuwait and Oman resisting the actions of Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed.

Giorgio Cafiero | Gulf | Dec 13, 2018

The Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Leaders are seen ahead of their Summit meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 9, 2018. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC1A2BB78CC0

Is the GCC dead?

Although Saudi Arabia has invited Qatar to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council summit Dec. 9, a resolution to the dispute between Doha and its Gulf neighbors seems far off, threatening the entire council with irrelevancy.

Giorgio Cafiero | Saudi Arabia | Dec 7, 2018

Giorgio Cafiero

New IS leader takes over following Baghdadi’s death

Libyan Salafists fight alongside 'secular' Hifter

Qatar scores symbolic victory in soccer win over UAE

US-Gulf tensions mount over restrictions on Syria reconstruction

Qatar challenges Saudi influence in Lebanon

Gulf states slowly warm to Damascus

Kuwait breaks from GCC on warming up to Israel

Khashoggi’s murder three months on: new clues, new dynamics?

What will 2019 have in store for dysfunctional GCC?

Is the GCC dead?

Popular Articles

Turkey’s reaction to Biden’s recognition of Armenian genocide more bark than bite for now

Fighting between Syria's Kurdish forces, pro-Assad militia enters fourth day

Erdogan furious as his Islamic ambitions stumble in Turkish Cyprus

Syrian missile exposes Israel’s fragility

A tale of two elections: Netanyahu, Abbas face the abyss

Recent Podcasts

Latest Israel-Hamas war won’t resolve underlying problems, says Jon Alterman

Ebtesam Al-Ketbi discusses the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis, the Abraham Accords, the Iran talks, UAE diplomacy in the Horn of Africa, and more

Jerusalem and West Bank unrest generated by Netanyahu’s policies, says Eran Etzion

Gaza preparing for escalation between Israel and Hamas over Jerusalem, says Hana Salah

Professor Chuck Freilich explains the failures that led to stampede at Mount Meron