Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud

December 8, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

As Assad falls and Iran weakens, Qatar gains influence across Middle East

While Israel is pleased to see the weakness of the Iranian-backed axis, it’s worth pausing and noting that celebrations should be tempered by reality.

October 10, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran’s Foreign Minister meets Saudi crown prince to strengthen regional ties

Iran's Foreign Minister met with Saudi and Qatari leaders to strengthen regional ties, signaling Iran's intent to counter Israel's influence.

June 9, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Gulf Cooperation Council meets in Doha, discuss Houthi attacks

The meeting was chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

April 11, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Worried about an Iranian attack? That’s exactly what it wants

Iran's week of threats against Israel prompts social media speculation. Foreign Minister's diplomatic calls precede potential military action, highlighting strategic confusion and psychological war

November 13, 2023 | Seth J. Frantzman |

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Gulf states increase aid to Gaza

The UAE is establishing a 150-bed field hospital. Five planes brought equipment for it last week.

November 7, 2023 | Matt Pottinger, David Feith, Ben Noon

In Israel vs. Hamas, China Backs Iran vs. America  

China’s response to the Israel-Hamas war draws from the same playbook Beijing has applied to the Ukraine war since last year. Beijing is backing the interests of its main anti-U.S. ally in the region...

October 21, 2023 | |

China Fails to Condemn Hamas Terrorism

Chinese diplomats arrived in Qatar on October 20 to kick off their own efforts to resolve the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Beijing’s Middle East envoy Zhai Jun met with his...

October 17, 2023 | Craig Singleton |

Beijing Refuses to Condemn Hamas, Steps Up Criticism of Israel

China refuses to condemn either Hamas’ war crimes or its shock assault on Israel last week, an approach that mirrors its response to other conflicts, especially the Russia-Ukraine war. In casting itself...

October 12, 2023 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Iran wanted Saudi Arabia to drop Israel — but failed miserably

At first glance, Thursday’s first-ever phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi might suggest the two predominantly Muslim nations...

August 17, 2023 | Haisam Hassanein |

Saudi-Israeli peace is no pipe dream

Is a Saudi-Israeli peace deal just around the corner or still just a long-term hope? The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington and Riyadh “have agreed on the broad contours...

June 5, 2023 | |

Iran to Reopen Embassy in Saudi Arabia as Blinken Visits

Iran is reopening its embassy and diplomatic offices in Saudi Arabia on June 6 after a seven-year freeze. The two countries made the decision in March, when Beijing hosted Saudi Arabian National Security...

April 24, 2023 | |

Jordan Draws Closer to Iran While Displaying Hostility to Israel

Officials from Iran and Jordan are preparing to meet to improve relations and cooperation between the two countries. The agreement to meet “as soon as possible” came during...

March 21, 2023 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

What’s in the Saudi Iranian Beijing Deal?

Other than promising not to intervene in each other’s affairs and to restore diplomatic ties, Saudi Arabia and Iran did not agree to much in the deal that they signed in Beijing earlier this month. But...

February 28, 2023 | Tony Badran |

Rob Malley visits the Gulf, with a bucket of old formaldehyde

A senior US delegation, led by Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley and other counterterrorism and defense officials, traveled to Saudi Arabia recently to participate in the US-Gulf Cooperation Council...

July 20, 2022 | Clifford D. May |

From Jerusalem to Jeddah

Biden’s mission to the Middle East goes south

November 6, 2021 | Bradley Bowman, Maj. Lauren Harrison, Ryan Brobst

Saudi Arabia and Israel Tiptoe Toward Overt Security Cooperation

Israeli and Saudi fighter jets participated in the same patrol mission (albeit at different times) on Oct. 30, accompanying a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber circumnavigating the Arabian Peninsula and...