GCC Relations

President of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune arrives at Borgo Egnazia on day two of the 50th G7 summit, on June 14, 2024.

Analysis

Libya, Morocco and Israel: Forces powering the Algeria-UAE rupture

Algeria’s recent decision to cancel a 2013 air agreement with the UAE signals an escalation in its rift with the Gulf state and reflects long-standing disputes over Libya and the Western Sahara.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Ethiopian Prime Ministry

Analysis

What’s behind Saudi outreach to Ethiopia amid UAE rift?

After Saudi Arabia's foreign minister visited Ethiopia earlier this week, its deputy foreign minister arrived in Eritrea on Friday for talks with the country's president and foreign minister.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: A general view of DP World Australia at Port Botany on January 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. The Guardian reported that workers at DP World have been involved in industrial action since October 2023. Actions include limited stop-work orders, as the union seeks a 16% pay increase over two years. The stevedore company manages some 40% of container traffic in Australia. A protracted industrial dispute would have severe knock-on effects on supply chains and businesses small and

UAE’s DP World names new leadership after CEO leaves over alleged Epstein ties

The Dubai emirate announced the appointments of Yuvraj Narayan as group CEO and Essa Kazim as the new chairman of the board, replacing Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

United Arab Emirates

An Emirates Boing 777-300ER is pictured in front an air traffic control tower at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, on Jan. 30, 2023.

Dubai airport tops global ranking again with 95.2 million passengers

DXB has been the world’s busiest airport since 2014 and eyes nearly 100 million passengers in 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Kuwait blacklists eight Lebanon hospitals over alleged Hezbollah ties: What to know

Ed Ram/Getty Images

Analysis

Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during the G7 Summit hosted by Italy, in Savelletri, on June 14, 2024.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Mideast’s AI startups capture record $858M in funding during 2025, doubling share

Detailed image of Middle Eastern developer in front of desktop pc monitoring a complex network, ensuring data security and efficient computing using cloud, AI and machine learning.

United Arab Emirates

MBZ hosts Sisi as Saudi Arabia and UAE jockey for regional influence

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomes Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 9, 2026.

Kuwait's Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a news conference after their meetings at the White House in Washington, U.S. September 7, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC182A22B640

Kuwait's careful balancing act with Iran, Saudi Arabia

The muted responses to the US withdrawal from the Iran deal among smaller Gulf Cooperation Council member states reflect careful policies designed to balance ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walks with Saudi's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir upon his arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 28, 2018. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC1F96F4FE60

America’s hawkish turn on Iran threatens Gulf alliance

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s new Iran policy announcement could have repercussions on US efforts to save the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi defense spending soars, but not to America's benefit

Saudi Arabia's military spending is not currently benefiting the United States, as no large arms deals are on the table.

An American made Patriot missile launcher of the Kuwait Air Force, used
to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles, is deployed in an undated
file photograph. A U.S. Patriot missile battery may have engaged a
British Royal Air Force aircraft near

the Kuwaiti border on Sunday, a Pentagon spokesman said. REUTERS/Kuwait
Ministry of Defence - RP3DRINEPZAA

Congress nudges Trump toward Gulf missile defense

Congress is trying to revive US-led talks for a GCC-wide missile shield against Iran that have stalled amid tensions with Qatar.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attends a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia January 10, 2018. REUTERS/Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool? - UP1EE1A1NCZOZ

Iran’s FM says Qatar 'brought Saudi Arabia to its knees'

Iran’s foreign minister slams the Saudi crown prince over his approach to foreign policy in a speech at a top Tehran university.

Palestinians skeptical about Arab League support for Jerusalem

The Saudi king declared the April 15 Arab League Summit held in the city of Dhahran in eastern Saudi Arabia to be the "Jerusalem Summit," yet many Palestinians doubt this show of support will lead to lasting change.

Saudi king uses Arab Summit to adjust Riyadh's stance toward Trump

In response to a growing rift between Riyadh's regional policies and some actions by President Donald Trump, King Salman has reaffirmed long-held alliances while distancing the kingdom from Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in New York, U.S., September 19, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC1EC612CAF0

Qatar hires Trump-linked lobbyist ahead of emir’s visit

Doha is turning to well-connected Republican operatives amid an intra-Gulf spat.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud is seen during a meeting at the United Nations headquarters in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 27, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Levy - RC1FA9FE58F0

How Mohammed bin Salman unites usually divided Iranians

The Saudi crown prince’s harsh words against the Islamic Republic seem to have a unifying effect among Iranians.

Russia, Qatar explore partnership potential

Qatar and Russia both stand to benefit in the Middle East from closer relations: Russia needs Arab street cred and Qatar needs all the friends it can get.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: (L to R) Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, foreign minister of Oman, speaks with Mohammad Javad Zarif Khonsari, the foreign minister of Iran, during the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters, September 20, 2017 in New York City. The most pressing issues facing the assembly this year include North Korea's nuclear ambitions, violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, and the debate over climate change. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

How Trump is prompting Iran to improve ties with its neighbors

Iran’s long-touted motto of prioritizing good ties with immediate neighbors is finally taking shape in apparent response to US-led pressure.

ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 22: U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (L) welcomes Crown Prince Of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman (R) during an enhanced honor cordon March 22, 2018 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is on a visit in Washington. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Pentagon chief presses for end to Yemen war in meeting with Saudi prince

US Defense Secretary James Mattis called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to “accelerate” a peaceful end to the war in Yemen even as Mattis lobbies Congress not to terminate US support for Riyadh’s air campaign against the Houthis.