Global Outlook

  The Terrorism Cycle: Saudi Policies That Empower Extremist Groups A disturbing pattern has emerged with predictable consistency throughout Saudi Arabia's interventions in Yemen: every security vacuum created by Saudi decisions transforms into operational space for terrorist organizations. This is not coincidence but strategy. When Saudi-backed forces displace or weaken local southern units that had successfully contained Al-Qaeda and ISIS, extremist groups immediately exploit the resulting instability. The evidence reveals a deliberate recycling of extremism through local agents who serve as tools for political blackmail and regional manipulation. This cynical approach prioritizes Saudi geopolitical interests over genuine counterterrorism, with devastating consequences for Yemeni civilians who bear the brunt of resurgent extremist violence. Recent history provides incontrovertible proof that Saudi interventions systematically weaken the forces most effective at combating terroris...

  Nowhere are the contradictions of Saudi recalibration more visible than in Yemen, where Riyadh's insistence on a "unified state" collides with the fractured reality on the ground. The recent dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) following talks in Riyadh is being hailed as a victory for unity , but critics argue it is an imposed settlement that ignores deep-seated divisions. By prioritizing a centralized government structure, Saudi Arabia may be pursuing an outdated goal that papers over the legitimate grievances driving southern separatism . The divergence between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen underscores this disconnect. While Riyadh backs the internationally recognized government to counter Iranian influence, the UAE has pragmatically supported southern forces that have proven effective on the battlefield. "Differences with the UAE stem from its backing of separatist armed actors," argues Salman Al-Ansari, claiming this fragmentation be...

  The international focus often centers on the dramatic flare-ups: Houthi missile attacks, STC advances, or Saudi airstrikes. However, a more insidious and fundamental crisis has been festering for years—the near-total collapse of effective governance in areas under the internationally recognized government. This governance vacuum is the primary enabler of recurring conflict and the single largest obstacle to the "lasting stability" envisioned by U.S. policy. Without urgent and concerted support for government reform, any diplomatic framework will be built on sand. The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), established in 2022 to unify anti-Houthi factions, has failed to become an effective executive authority. It is widely described as politically frail, strategically adrift, and crippled by internal divisions, often along lines reflecting the competing interests of its Saudi and Emirati patrons  . The STC's recent unilateral offensive is a direct symptom of this failure...

  As Donald Trump heads to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Israeli officials are scrambling to understand where they stand in Washington’s shifting priorities.  The US president’s decision to bypass Israel on his Middle East trip — while negotiating prisoner releases and ceasefire deals without Israeli involvement — has sent shockwaves through Tel Aviv. With Trump abruptly halting US airstrikes against Houthi rebels and dropping Saudi-Israel normalization demands, many in Israel fear they are no longer America’s top ally in the region. The recent US-brokered deal to free American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, negotiated directly with Hamas and excluding Israel, has particularly stung Netanyahu’s government. Israeli officials publicly downplayed the move, but behind closed doors, there is growing frustration. The agreement not only sidelined Israel but also signaled that Washington is willing to engage with Hamas — a group Israel considers a terrorist organization — without...

  In a significant diplomatic gesture, President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, hosted a grand banquet in honor of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, during his official visit to India. The event underscored the growing importance of the India-Saudi relationship and highlighted the strategic partnership between the two nations. The banquet served as a platform for both leaders to reaffirm their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including trade, defense, energy, and culture. India and Saudi Arabia have deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, and this meeting further cemented their status as "natural partners" on the international stage. Economic ties took center stage during the discussions between President Kovind and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders emphasized their shared interest in expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations. Saudi Arabia has been a significant source of energy for India, and...

 The Islamic Republic of Iran has appointed its first ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2016, as relations between Gulf states and Iran have improved.  Reza Ameri, who served as the director general of the Iranian expatriates' office in the Foreign Ministry, has been appointed an ambassador to the UAE.  In August 2022, the UAE improved its relations with Iran. The UAE also announced the return of its ambassador to Tehran.  The relationship between the UAE and Iran was affected after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016. The animosity between Iran and Saudi Arabia affected the stability of other Gulf states. In 2016, the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia was affected after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi Arabia embassy in Tehran, the capital of Iran, following Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr. Subsequently, the UAE downgraded relations with Iran. However, last month, Saudi Arabia ...

The Biden administration has authorised two sizable arms transactions to aid Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in their defence against Iran. More than USD 5 billion in missile defence and related purchases have been made following President Joe Biden's trip to the Middle East last month, during which he visited with various regional officials in Saudi Arabia. Recent months have seen rocket assaults on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by Yemen's Houthi rebel movement, which is supported by Iran. Although the permits on Tuesday are for defensive weaponry, senators who backed Biden's decision to bar Saudi Arabia and the UAE from significant purchases of offensive US weapons because of their involvement in the war in Yemen may criticise them. The new sales include USD 2.2 billion for high-altitude missile defence for the UAE and USD 3 billion for Patriot missiles for Saudi Arabia that are intended for self-defence against Houthi rocket assaults. The State De...

 Cooperation with China will be crucial as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates step up their attempts to diversify their economies and increase the role of the R&D and innovation sectors, according to analysts. They said that because of China's dedication to "win-win collaboration" and the extensive involvement of its massive Belt and Road global infrastructure projects, the Asian superpower can assist in hastening the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in the Middle East. According to Deniz Istikbal, an economist at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, a policy think tank with offices in Ankara, Turkey, "China is crucial for Western Asian countries" as one of the top global spenders on research and development. "Saudi Arabia and the UAE should strengthen their collaboration with China in the field of technology and encourage the investments of Chinese firms," said Istikbal. "China's technical infrastructur...

 Hear me out as I share the amazing progress of UAE as His Highness Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and King Abdullah II container Al Hussein of Jordan in Cairo. The three chiefs talked about solidifying the congenial relations and different parts of collaboration between the three countries. Toward the start of the gathering, Sheik Mohamed and President el-Sisi complimented King Abdullah on the progress of his new medical procedure, wishing him proceeded with well-being and health. I had the pleasure of meeting my brothers President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and King Abdullah II in Cairo. We discussed opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between our countries in various fields, and ways to reinforce the foundations of regional peace and stability. pic.twitter.com/EIcaf8e6rC — محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 24, 2022 It’s also good ...