Sabena Siddiqui

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial; color: #545454; -webkit-text-stroke: #545454} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font: 14.0px Calibri; font-kerning: none; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #000000} Sabena Siddiqui is a foreign affairs journalist and geopolitical analyst with a special focus on the Belt and Road Initiative, the Middle East and South Asia. On Twitter: @sabena_siddiqi

Iran | Oct 19, 2021

Iran, Pakistan work to strengthen ties as Afghan situation remains fluid

Iran and Pakistan are talking about the strengthening of their military relations, in the face of the Taliban takeover in neighboring Afghanistan and the region's geopolitical changes.

Pakistani soldiers wear facemasks on the closed border of Pakistan-Iran in Taftan, as fears over the spread of the coronavirus escalate following an outbreak in neighboring Iran, Pakistan, Feb. 25, 2020.

Gulf | Sep 14, 2021

Saudi Arabia seeks low key influence in Afghanistan

Riyadh is looking to expand its relationship with the Taliban, to expand and protect its interests in the region, and counter Iranian influence.

An Afghan boy stands next to a member of the Taliban in front of the Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul on Sept. 16, 2021.

Iran | Aug 18, 2021

Afghan chaos further incentive for India’s efforts to strengthen ties with Iran

The recent rise of the Taliban in Kabul has expedited New Delhi's efforts to boost ties with Iran, which is positioned to be India's main corridor to Afghanistan, yet major challenges remain.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Gulf | Jul 22, 2021

UN body rules in favor of expanding Qatari airspace

The judgment by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) comes six months after GCC summit ending three year embargo of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.

A Qatar Airways Airbus A350 airplane takes off from Hamad International Airport.

Iran | Jul 4, 2021

Raisi to enter maze of regional factors in guiding diplomacy with Riyadh

Iran’s incoming president, Ebrahim Raisi, says he will focus on regional ties, particularly Gulf Arab neighbors.

Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Iran | Jun 10, 2021

China-Iran cooperation goes slow in context of nuclear talks

Beijing and Tehran are deepening ties across sectors, but progress will depend on the Vienna talks and Iran’s elections.

China's President Xi Jinping (C) speaks during a meeting with delegates of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization security secretary summit at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China, May 22, 2018.

May 10, 2021

Can Chinese investment provide boost to Iran’s Chabahar port?

As US-Iran ties deteriorated, India slowed down work at Iran’s Chabahar port; yet Chinese investment could bring it back to life.

Iranian flags flutter during an inauguration ceremony for new equipment and infrastructure at the Shahid Beheshti port, in the southeastern coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, Feb. 25, 2019.

Gulf | Apr 30, 2021

Low efficacy rates mar China’s COVID diplomacy in Gulf states

After a top Chinese health official acknowledged that the Chinese-produced vaccines have lower efficacy rates, will Gulf states using the product turn to other providers?

Vails are seen on the production line of CoronaVac, Sinovac Biontech's vaccine against COVID-19, at the Butantan biomedical production center on April 23, 2021, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Iran | Mar 30, 2021

Can China balance ties with Iran and the GCC?

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi must take care not to "underestimate the differences" between Iran and the GCC countries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, are pictured during the signing of an agreement in the capital, Tehran, on March 27, 2021. Iran and China signed what state television called a "25-year strategic cooperation pact," as the US rivals move closer together.

Originals | Mar 15, 2021

Will US sanctions bring China and Saudi Arabia closer?

Recent US sanctions on Saudi Arabia, coupled with prospects for Washington reentering the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, could push Saudi Arabia to strengthen its ties with China.

Sabena Siddiqui

Iran, Pakistan work to strengthen ties as Afghan situation remains fluid

Saudi Arabia seeks low key influence in Afghanistan

Afghan chaos further incentive for India’s efforts to strengthen ties with Iran

UN body rules in favor of expanding Qatari airspace

Raisi to enter maze of regional factors in guiding diplomacy with Riyadh

China-Iran cooperation goes slow in context of nuclear talks

Can Chinese investment provide boost to Iran’s Chabahar port?

Low efficacy rates mar China’s COVID diplomacy in Gulf states

Can China balance ties with Iran and the GCC?

Will US sanctions bring China and Saudi Arabia closer?

Podcasts

Turkey scholar Howard Eissenstat on the dynamics of Erdogan's enduring success

Sabena Siddiqui

Iran, Pakistan work to strengthen ties as Afghan situation remains fluid

Saudi Arabia seeks low key influence in Afghanistan

Afghan chaos further incentive for India’s efforts to strengthen ties with Iran

UN body rules in favor of expanding Qatari airspace

Raisi to enter maze of regional factors in guiding diplomacy with Riyadh

China-Iran cooperation goes slow in context of nuclear talks

Can Chinese investment provide boost to Iran’s Chabahar port?

Low efficacy rates mar China’s COVID diplomacy in Gulf states

Can China balance ties with Iran and the GCC?

Will US sanctions bring China and Saudi Arabia closer?

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Podcasts

Turkey scholar Howard Eissenstat on the dynamics of Erdogan's enduring success