China, Russia veto scaled-back Hormuz resolution at UN Security Council The vote came hours before the US deadline for Iran to reopen the global chokepoint. Bahrain
AirAsia stays course on Bahrain hub as Iran war clouds aviation growth plans The low-cost carrier’s commitment, while conditional on how the conflict evolves, stands out as most global airlines scale back routes, delay launches and reroute flights to avoid the Middle East. Bahrain
Iran names US tech, finance firms in new Middle East threat list Firms listed as potential targets included Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Palantir and Nvidia, while banking giant JPMorgan and UAE-based AI firm G42 were also listed. Iran
Analysis Oil-rich Gulf states could face power crunch as Iran war hits energy security While the conflict fuels a global oil price shock, the Gulf states must contend with growing threats to their own energy security, from power cuts to desalinated water loss. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How long can markets hold their bet on Gulf resilience as war drags on? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Assessing Bahraini-Syrian encounter in New York Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa's meeting with his Syrian counterpart leaves observers questioning its position on the Syrian crisis. Saudi Arabia
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. Saudi Arabia
Blindsided Bahrain lobbies against Trump tariffs The major aluminum exporter and US Navy host has been blindsided by President Donald Trump’s 10% tariffs on aluminum. Bahrain
Will Bahrain, Israel establish formal relations in 2018? Bahrain could become the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to establish official diplomatic and trade relations with Israel, though this may largely depend on the GCC states' response to the Jerusalem crisis. United Arab Emirates
Egypt flexes its mediation muscle in Lebanon crisis During an emergency meeting in Cairo, the Arab League condemned Iran’s meddling in Arab affairs. Saudi Arabia
Iran, Turkey divide Saudi-led bloc Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is opposed to plans by the other members of the Anti-Terror Quartet to confront Iran and Hezbollah in the Levant, to maintain Lebanon's relatively stable position. Saudi Arabia
Qatari crisis seeps into UNESCO elections The Qatari crisis has cast a shadow across the election of UNESCO's next director-general with competing candidates from Egypt and Qatar. Saudi Arabia
Bahrain goes public with shifting stance on Israel The statement by Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa condemning the Arab boycott on Israel publicly exposes the state’s change of attitude toward Israel and the ongoing contact between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
US arms sale to Bahrain raises questions about sustainability The $3.8 billion sale of jets and patrol boats dwarfs the tiny emirate’s annual defense budget. Bahrain
As Qatar-Bahrain rift widens, economic costs emerge Qatar’s economic and geopolitical separation from Bahrain and other GCC states will come with economic costs. Bahrain
Iran’s role in Qatar’s new foreign policy Rather than forcing Qatar to sever ties with Tehran, the Saudi-led boycott on Qatar has instead pushed the emirate closer to Iran. Saudi Arabia
