Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday, saying that Tehran had waited too long to reach a deal after the largest direct exchange of fire between the two countries since an April ceasefire. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Araghchi says US bases in region legitimate targets Iran warns US bases could be targeted as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues and Washington moves to reassure Kuwait after a deadly airport attack. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
In aftermath of Iran attack, Rubio hosts Kuwait FM: What to know The meeting came a day after an Iranian strike on Kuwait International Airport killed one person and wounded more than 60 others. Kuwait
Newsletter: Gulf Kuwait’s Iran dilemma is getting harder to ignore Kuwait has long sought to position itself as one of the Gulf’s most cautious and diplomatic actors. This week, however, the country found itself at the center of a conflict it has consistently tried to avoid. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says no progress in US talks as Khamenei warns of foreign plots By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump arrives in China with Iran war looming over talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Intel: Trump calls on Qatar to work toward resolving Gulf dispute President Donald Trump has asked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to take steps to resolve the ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, which blockaded Qatar in 2017. Legacy: Gulf
Intel: Pompeo and Gulf ministers coordinate on Iran, COVID-19 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a flurry of phone calls on Thursday with his counterparts in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to discuss Iran and the COVID-19 pandemic. United Arab Emirates
How COVID-19 will change GCC labor markets A siren is blaring for local labor markets as the global pandemic and falling oil revenues begin to upend the Gulf states' economies. Saudi Arabia
Coronavirus spurs regional humanitarian outreach to Iran The UAE, Kuwait and Qatar provide help to Coronavirus-stricken Iran, while there is talk that the United States could ease the way for aid to Iran while Iran released American prisoners who could be prime COVID-19 targets. United Arab Emirates
Trump-linked lobbyist turns from Gulf Arabs to more toxic clients Robert Stryk’s Sonoran Policy Group is hemorrhaging both clients and employees. Saudi Arabia
Magnitsky law spawns cottage industry of sanctions lobbying The Magnitsky Act is being used in unexpected ways, with lobbyists pushing for human rights sanctions against nations on behalf of corporate clients. Legacy: Gulf
Gulf investor asks US court to subpoena Kuwait lobbying records A multinational investor in a Kuwait-linked investment fund has asked a US court to subpoena US banks over allegations of misconduct by the fund. Kuwait
Middle East lobbyists pay op-ed writers to sell their message A Kuwaiti firm and an armed Iranian opposition group are some of the latest examples of lobbyists paying for positive press coverage. Kuwait
Israeli singers form bridge to Arab countries Israeli Middle Eastern music is popular in various parts of the Arab world, where it forms a bridge through a common musical heritage. Kuwait
Million-dollar lobbying campaign against Kuwait suffers major setback A Kuwaiti court has sentenced a Russian businesswoman to 15 years of hard labor despite pressure from former US officials. Here's who's behind the campaign to release Marsha Lazareva. United Arab Emirates
Iran's Rouhani offers to talk with Saudi, Bahraini leaders Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has sent letters to the kings of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in what is viewed as a step toward de-escalating regional tensions. Saudi Arabia
How Turkey’s Syria incursion could have big impact in the Gulf Turkey's Operation Peace Spring has exacerbated the divide between Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait on the one hand and Qatar on the other. Saudi Arabia