Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Israel’s Herzog holds rare meeting with Bahraini FM in Azerbaijan In the framework of an international summit, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with the Foreign minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani. Israel
Explainer IMF projects Gulf rebound in 2027. Can energy production keep pace? Restoring shipping access in the Strait of Hormuz is only part of the recovery, as Gulf producers also need to repair damaged infrastructure to avoid further disruption to production and exports. Saudi Arabia
What does Amazon war damage mean for Gulf cloud expansion? Amazon’s cloud computing unit said the damage was sustained to its facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, casting doubt over multibillion-dollar investments in the region. Bahrain
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran deal is ‘over’ By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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.
Russian FM puts politics above economics on GCC tour Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has kicked off his tour of the Gulf, reflecting Moscow's ambition to capitalize on its regional recognition as a great power. Legacy: Gulf
Veteran peace hands see growing Israeli-Arab alignment in Warsaw While the Palestinians boycotted the meeting in Poland, a number of Arab delegates showed an interest in engaging with US plans for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Legacy: Gulf
Thailand buckles to global pressure, frees Bahraini soccer player Thailand released Bahraini soccer player and refugee Hakeem al-Araibi from prison, though Bahrain has warned that it still seeks to pursue legal action against him. Bahrain
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
Netanyahu’s Golan statement ignores new Syria reality For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu partnering with the far-right and proclaiming sovereignty over the Golan Heights is more important than aspiring to regional alliances with Muslim and Arab countries. United Arab Emirates
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
Thai court extends detention of Bahraini soccer player Dissident Bahraini soccer player Hakeem al-Araibi says he would face torture if extradited to Bahrain. Saudi Arabia
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. Saudi Arabia
Why is Israel forging secret ties with Sudan? Hamas condemns the current normalization of ties between several Arab countries and Israel, at a time the Israeli media is talking about efforts to stop arms reaching the Gaza Strip through Libya and Sudan. United Arab Emirates
Netanyahu’s diplomacy: buying friends by selling weapons Rather than basing its global standing on the principles of equality and justice, Israel exports cyber weaponry to tyrannical, racist rulers. Saudi Arabia
