Manama

Europe is writing itself out of the Middle East

The case for suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement on grounds of human rights is a powerful argument – as long as one doesn't look at what else Europe is doing in the region

Iranian drone and missile barrages strike Arab states across the region (March 9-10 updates)

Between March 9 and March 10, Iran and its allied militias continued launching drones and missiles across the Middle East, targeting energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, residential areas,...

Iran continues striking civilian infrastructure and US bases in the Gulf (March 7–8 updates)

Between March 7 and 8, Iran continued launching drones and missiles across the Persian Gulf, targeting energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, government buildings, and urban areas in Saudi Arabia,...

Iran expands retaliation for US-Israel campaign across Arab states (February 28–March 2)

Iran has responded to the joint United States and Israeli military campaign against it with widespread retaliatory strikes across the Middle East. The Iranian attacks consisted of coordinated drone and...

Iran’s Desperate Gamble: Widening the War

Only hours after the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory began, Tehran launched barrages of missiles and drones at the other Gulf states, essentially transforming its neighbors into bargaining chips...

Israel’s Top General Meets With Arab Counterparts in Bahrain

The chief of the general staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Herzi Halevi, met with senior Arab generals in Bahrain this week, Axios reported on June 12. Generals from Bahrain,...

Did Hamas just prove the Abraham Accords right? 

Four days after Hamas began its massacre of Israeli civilians, King Abdullah II of Jordan addressed his country’s parliament, telling lawmakers that Jordan’s “compass...

Egypt and Jordan Condemn Israeli Response to Hamas Massacre

Latest Developments Egypt and Jordan on October 21 condemned Israel’s military response to the October 7 massacre by Hamas. Speaking at a peace summit in Cairo, the leaders of both Arab nations denounced...

The Dangers of Iran’s Cyber Ambitions

Bahrain chooses alignment with Israel over submission to Iran

Since the announcement of the Abraham Accords in August 2020, ties between Bahrain and Israel have grown steadily, reaching a milestone last week when an Israeli military aircraft, carrying Defense Minister...

Biden Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: November

Expand Israel-Arab-US military drills to counter Iran and its proxies

Naval forces from Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the United States are conducting a five-day multilateral maritime security operations exercise in the Red Sea. The exercise marks the first...

Violence in Yemen, Gaza, and Iraq Isn’t Coincidental, Even Though the White House Wishes it Was

Recent flareups of violence in the Middle East are the outcome of a major policy shift by an administration that prefers to avert its eyes from the truth.

Iranian Proxies in Bahrain Determined to Sabotage Peace With Israel

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani made history on Wednesday, becoming the first-ever minister from the island kingdom to conduct an official visit to Israel. The visit marked the second meeting...

Welcome to a Brand-New Middle East

Israel’s pacts with the UAE and Bahrain go far beyond the tenuous “cold peace” with Egypt and Jordan. They could even help end the conflict with the Palestinians.

COVID-19 in Bahrain

As low oil prices and the pandemic strain Bahrain’s state budget, Manama may seek economic assistance from its Gulf neighbors. Less certain, however, is whether those neighbors will come to the island...

Gulf States are Poised to Play a Major Role in Trump’s Peace Plan—When He Unveils One

This year saw a slew of activity from the Gulf states embracing Israel. What could 2019 have in store, particularly if the long-awaited Trump peace plan is released?

New Aid Package for Bahrain Signals Trouble

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait will provide a $10 billion aid package to cash-strapped Bahrain, building on a deal originally announced in June. Coming on top of a $10 billion injection already pledged by Gulf states in 2016, the deal is a further sign of Bahrain’s brewing economic crisis.

Bahraini Bank Investigations Offers Powerful Example for Treating De-listed Entities

The Bahraini government last week...