MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan traveled to Jeddah Monday for a visit that could be aimed at salvaging a $1.5 billion Pakistani arms deal Riyadh has reportedly blocked. Sudan
UAE's deputy PM holds first call with Ghalibaf amid push to extend US-Iran ceasefire The Emirati vice president and Iran’s parliament speaker talked de-escalation on the phone in the first such contact since the Iran war began. United Arab Emirates
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia summon Iraqi diplomats over militia attacks: What to know The United States and Kuwait have likewise criticized Iraq over actions tied to Iran-backed armed groups in the country. Iraq
China signals bigger Gulf role as UAE crown prince visits Beijing China, which maintains close ties with both Iran and Gulf states, is hosting one of the UAE's top officials this week as a fragile ceasefire in the region holds. China
Interview Yemen war 'does not serve any party' says Oman’s ambassador to US Omani ambassador to Washington Hunaina Al-Mughairy spoke to Al-Monitor about US-Omani ties, her country's stance on Yemen, Mideast peace and the latest Washington-Tehran tensions.
Qatar’s first elections since 2017 reveal unexpected impact of GCC crisis Turnout in the Qatari municipal elections has declined, suggesting a Qatari citizenry that is slightly less engaged in the formal political process in the wake of the GCC crisis. Saudi Arabia
Interview Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region Qatari spokesperson says the split among the Gulf states compromises the security of the region and that thousands of families are already paying a price.
How did Lavrov do on his Gulf tour? During his tour of the Gulf, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov treaded carefully around politics, opting to speak publicly about a safer topic, economics. Legacy: Gulf
Kuwait’s steady hand in Gulf affairs Amid disputes among the GCC states and beyond, Kuwait's efforts to bridge regional and international approaches to diplomacy remain vital. Legacy: Gulf
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. United Arab Emirates
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. United Arab Emirates
Bahraini opposition in Iraq stirs crisis between Baghdad, Manama The opening of an office of the Bahraini opposition in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad has caused a crisis between Iraq and Bahrain. United Arab Emirates
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. Legacy: Gulf
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. Legacy: Gulf
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. Legacy: Gulf
How Qatar is working to boost its influence in Yemen Doha balances close relations with Houthi and Islah factions in the Yemen war in order to take advantage of political instability in the country and bolster its influence over the country’s internal affairs. Saudi Arabia
