Mossad, Shin Bet in UAE: What we know about Israel’s FlyDubai probe The National Security Council is probing foreign carrier security protocols, while police investigate two senior Transportation Ministry officials suspected of providing private services for aviation companies. Israel
Trump says Hormuz mine-free as Iran, Oman agree to clear them The US president again says Hormuz is clear of mines as Iran and Oman announce their plan to clear the strait. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks Pakistan’s Munir arrives in Tehran; major UAE economic delegation to visit Beirut; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat For the second time in months, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike the US partner as it holds talks with Iran. Oman
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf chokepoints bring Japan closer to Saudi Arabia, Oman By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
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
Why Iran is also a strategic asset for Israel A significant number of Arab and Muslim leaders in the Middle East and the world fear Iran. For them, Israel is the only real answer to the Iranian threat and the only country able to confront it. Saudi Arabia
Iran turns to pragmatism as Israel woos Oman While Iran is unlikely to have been happy about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Oman, it has tried to remain pragmatic in order to prevent tensions with a longstanding Arab friend. Saudi Arabia
Putin pivots to Europe for next play on Syria Russian president intensifies diplomatic push; Erdogan goes "big" to leverage the Khashoggi murder with the Trump administration; Oman emerges as Israeli-Palestinian broker. Oman
Israel’s unhealthy mix of sports and politics Israeli politicians love to be seen alongside successful athletes and frequently use athletic success for patriotic-nationalist purposes. Saudi Arabia
Israeli celebration of ties with Gulf states premature The visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Oman is Sultan Qaboos’ way of signaling to Israelis what peace could look like, should they end the occupation of the Palestinians. United Arab Emirates
Will Oman broker Israeli-Palestinian peace talks? The Sultanate of Oman has been making the headlines by receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising speculation about an Omani mediation to advance the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. Oman
Mossad chief, Israel’s secret diplomat to the Mideast Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dedicates much effort to building ties with Sunni states and has sent Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to various locales on secret missions. Oman
Top Democrats urge Gulf to drop demand for Houthi surrender in Yemen Some of the House’s most hawkish Democratic leaders rebuked Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over their offensive on the key port of Hodeidah. Saudi Arabia
Tehran in fresh diplomatic push to salvage nuclear deal Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has embarked on a European tour for talks expected to revolve around the nuclear deal. Oman
Congress seeks to insulate Oman from Yemen instability As the 3-year-old proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran continues to destabilize Yemen, Congress seeks to shore up security in neighboring Oman. Saudi Arabia
