Persian Gulf

Maritime Protection of Taiwan’s Energy Vulnerability

New LNG Terminal Will Help Extricate Iraq From Iran’s Energy Orbit

Iraq is slowly taking steps to wrench its energy sector free from Iran’s influence, but it will require both American support and strong encouragement to do so. Excelerate Energy, an American company,...

Qatar’s Calculated Bet on the Islamic Republic

Qatar’s wealth and prestige are built on the incompetence of the rulers of Iran’s Islamic Republic. As long as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his gang of fools are in charge in Tehran, Doha...

The Saudi-Qatari Competition for Influence in Syria

With the Syrian state still in its formative stage, lacking a defined political identity, two Gulf monarchies – Qatar and Saudi Arabia – are seeking to dominate Syria. This competition will only intensify...

With Snapback of UN Sanctions Pending, Tehran Continues To Export Oil

Tehran continues to export oil and acquire new customers despite approaching deadlines for the snapback of United Nations sanctions. Although Iranian oil exports reached their lowest level of the year...

Tehran threatens snapback retaliation, raises fears of war with Israel

The United Kingdom, Germany, and France, known as the E3, triggered the “snapback” process on August 28 by sending a letter to the UN Security Council. This move gives Tehran 30 days to...

The Houthis Are Breaking into the Drug Trade

The captagon trade has spread from Syria to Yemen, bankrolling Houthi terrorism. Washington should pay attention.

Reckoning Needed Between Terror-Sponsoring Qatar and United States

The emirate of Qatar continues to play an outsized role in the diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza. Over the weekend, these efforts once again failed to end the crisis and release the remaining 50...

5 Things to Know About China-Iran Security Cooperation

China and Iran both seek to counter American influence in the Middle East and have long cooperated to further that shared goal. China provides Iran with inputs for its ballistic missile program, helps...

Iran is severely weakened but remains a regional threat

Iran remains the “primary and enduring threat” in the Middle East, US Navy Vice Admiral Charles B. Cooper II, the nominee to become the next commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), told the Senate...

What Stable Oil Prices Say About Israel’s War With Iran

Iran has warned that it could close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, after the United States joined Israel’s attack on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear...

Why Are Gulf Countries Not Speaking Out Against Their Rival Iran?

Since 1979, Iran has been a problem for Arab Gulf capitals. Tehran has exported its radical Islamism and terrorism across the region, built loyalist militias, agitated popular opinion against Gulf governments,...

Qatar’s money isn’t just dirty – its filthy

Accusations of bribery against the Gulf state are only part of the problem – the Qataris are jihadi financiers

Beyond the Bomb: Is Iran’s Diplomatic Pivot Changing Its Nuclear Calculus?

Iran is facing crunch time on its continued talks with the United States over a potential new deal regarding its nuclear program. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi said on June 4...

Sanctions? Iran’s Secret Oil Network Fuels Its Regime

Iran is exporting 1.6 million barrels of oil every day. Thanks to a shadowy fleet, fake paperwork, and a global network of front companies, Tehran keeps its oil flowing, fueled by China’s backing. The West’s sanctions are failing spectacularly. Find out why and what it will take to finally cut off this illicit lifeline.

Iran’s shadow looms large over the Houthi ceasefire

It’s too soon for another US “mission accomplished” in the Middle East. President Donald Trump this month announced a halt to US airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, claiming the group “capitulated” and would cease targeting American vessels and Red Sea traffic.

What Qatar wants, Qatar gets

How a tiny but extraordinarily wealthy emirate buys influence

Calibrating US policy to constrain Iranian oil exports

Shortly after President Donald Trump started his second term, his new Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, promised, “We are committed to bringing the Iranians to going back to the...

The Message Trump Should Deliver in Qatar

“You saved my life,” former Israeli-American hostage Keith Siegel told President Trump at a recent dinner. “You got 33 of us home alive,” Siegel noted, adding, “we will get, with your help, all...

Iran braces for possible US attack amid proxy setbacks

An anonymous Iranian official told Reuters on April 6 that Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has instructed Iranian armed forces to be on high alert. The source also said Tehran has...