Oman can’t avoid Operation Economic Outcast
President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of American plans for the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the threat, Iran and Oman announced that...
Gulf States
FDD Analysis
Iranian-backed Iraqi militias may seek to delay disarmament
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq may be seeking to delay the government’s plan to disarm them. “A senior Iraqi official pushed back a September 30 deadline for pro-Iran factions to hand over their weapons,...
Op-eds
Trump Administration Sends Secretive U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal to Congress for Review
The Trump administration appears poised to upend long-standing U.S. policy restricting the spread of nuclear fuel-making technologies. It has transmitted a U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement to...
Policy Briefs
Iraq’s Growing Oil Exports Through Basra Should Not Become an Asset for Iran
Basra, Iraq’s oil export hub perched on the Persian Gulf, is busier than it has been since conflict between the United States and Iran began in February. According to Bloomberg, satellite imagery...
Policy Briefs
Why a Saudi Nuclear Program Is Not Worth Ending US Nonproliferation Policy
It is unlikely that Russia or China would be willing to support a Saudi nuclear program if the United States refuses to do so.
Op-eds
Halting Trade With Iran Won’t Help UAE Combat Sanctions Evasion
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is moving to constrain Iran economically — but it is leaving a major source of regime revenue untouched. On August 18, following a series of high-level discussions with...
Policy Briefs
Deadline for Iraq’s Militias To Disarm Nears but Tehran’s Proxies Show They’re Above the Law
Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, appears to be trying to reign in the Iranian-backed militias that have spread terror and disunion in his country. But a recent arrest may point to the limits...
Policy Briefs
Countries condemn Iranian attack on Kurdistan Region prime minister’s office
There was widespread condemnation on August 17 and 18 of an Iranian drone attack on the office of Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. Early on August 17, two drones...
Op-eds
Will the Gulfies dump Trump?
A power vacuum threatens the Middle East
Op-eds
The Saudi Choice That Will Reshape the Middle East
Two possible paths, one pro-American, one not. Where will the Kingdom go?
Op-eds
Iraq Struggles To Find Oil Export Options, but the UAE May Be Able To Help
Iraq relies on oil revenue for over 90 percent of its budget. With exports hovering at around half of the usual 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) that were exported before Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz,...
Policy Briefs
Al Jazeera Cuts Its Gaza Staff. Does Its Timing Tell a Story?
A Media rights organization has quietly removed at least eight individuals from its roster of media workers killed while doing journalistic work. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it...
Op-eds
Fighting in Yemen escalates, raising concern of a return to civil war
The Houthis launched a series of attacks on Yemeni government forces on August 6. It is the most substantial campaign in Yemen from the Iran-backed terror group since a 2022 UN-brokered truce paused...
Op-eds
Yemen on the Brink of a Return to Civil War
When the Houthis in Yemen entered the conflict between the United States and Iran on July 20 by announcing a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, it spelled danger in the Red Sea. Now, it appears Yemenis...
Policy Briefs
The Mecca Defense Pact Looks Toothless. That Doesn’t Mean It’s Harmless.
The emerging Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan alliance threatens to trigger regional realignment.
Op-eds
Iran Is Rewiring Its Proxy Network
The Islamic Republic’s preparation for renewed regional escalation is making it less vulnerable to outside attacks.
Op-eds
Houthis escalate attacks in Red Sea and on Saudi Arabia, Riyadh evaluates options
After Yemen’s Houthis declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia on July 20, the Iran-backed terror group has attacked Saudi Arabia directly and claimed attacks on eight Saudi-linked...
Op-eds
Erdogan’s Iraq play: A bigger game than oil
There is an easy way to read Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to host Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi in Ankara on July 28, and to call the visit “historic”: as an energy...
Op-eds
Iraq pressured by regional countries to rein in Iran-backed militias as new data on extent of attacks released
Iraq finds itself under growing pressure from regional countries and the US to rein in Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. The latest pressure from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan comes as Ahmad...
Op-eds
Saudis gravitate toward Middle East basket cases when it should join US’ fight against Iran
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called President Trump on Saturday and implored him to hold off on striking the Islamic Republic of Iran. Trump acquiesced and punted...