United Arab Emirates

May 21, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Complexity of delivering aid continues in Gaza

As the Israel Defense Forces press forward in southern, central and northern Gaza, the issue of humanitarian aid remains front and center not just for the Israeli defense establishment but for other countries...

May 20, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Raisi set the Middle East aflame but his death will not put out the fire

With Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian gone, Iran will fall back on the IRGC which controls much of the country behind the scenes.

May 19, 2024 | |

Israel Renews Water-Sharing Agreement With Jordan Despite Strained Bilateral Ties

Israel renewed its water-sharing agreement with Jordan on May 16 for six months. The Jewish state has transferred fresh water to Jordan for 30 years under the terms of the two countries’...

May 19, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel’s media and political discussions are watched closely in region

The broader point is that everyone in the region is watching closely developments in Israel, Israeli politics, and other pertinent issues.

May 16, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Arab leaders meet in Bahrain for summit regarding Gaza and regional development

Arab League summit convenes in Bahrain to address the Gaza conflict and regional integration. Concerns arise over Israel's isolation amid shifting alliances and diplomatic challenges.

May 15, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Hezbollah seeks to use Syrian refugees to create crisis with Europe

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on May 13 that Lebanon should open its maritime borders so that Syrians who live in Lebanon can board boats heading to Europe.

May 15, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran is seeking closer ties to Egypt

Iran is seeking outreach to not only Egypt by also Saudi Arabia. Recent reports also indicate that Iran has threatened Jordan.

May 14, 2024 | |

Nearly Half Million Gazans Evacuate Rafah

Approximately 450,000 Gazans have evacuated Rafah, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) announced on May 14. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asked civilians to relocate...

May 14, 2024 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Kuwait: Islamists and the end of Arab democracy

Installing democracy in a society without a tradition of liberty is like handing car keys to an unlicensed driver

May 12, 2024 | |

Israel Establishes Eighth Field Hospital in Gaza

Israel announced on May 11 that it opened an eighth field hospital in Gaza — this one in central Gaza. The development comes as the Israeli military encourages Palestinians...

May 10, 2024 | |

UN General Assembly Facilitates Palestinian End Run around Security Council

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted on May 10 to provide “additional rights and privileges of participation of the State of Palestine.” The United Arab Emirates-sponsored...

May 7, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Is Hezbollah working more closely with the Houthis?

Hezbollah now plays a greater role in deciding where the Houthis allocate funds.

May 6, 2024 | Enia Krivine |

Explaining the moral case for backing Israel may help Biden in Nov. elections

With a presidential election looming in November, the White House is watching President Joe Biden’s polling numbers with increasing concern.

May 3, 2024 | Rep. Rob Wittman, Craig Singleton

With Chinese warships anchoring in Cambodia, the US needs to respond

The recent mooring of Chinese warships at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base marked the unofficial inauguration of China’s first overseas naval post in the Indo-Pacific region and only its second overall....

May 2, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iranian-backed terror group in Bahrain claims to target Israel

Saraya Al-Ashtar confirmed on Thursday, “that it targeted the headquarters of the company responsible for land transportation in the occupation entity...in the city of Umm Al-Rashrash, Eilat..."

May 2, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

How Hamas balances Qatar, Turkey and the West

Rumors continue to circulate that Hamas might relocate to host countries, however Hamas has too much to lose by leaving Doha, and the West and Doha have interests at stake.

May 1, 2024 | Natalie Ecanow, Behnam Ben Taleblu

Iran handed Jordan and Israel an opportunity to improve ties

Some threats simply beg to be turned into opportunities. Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi confirmed that his country’s air force intercepted several Iranian drones between April...

May 1, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Kuwait Emir visits Egypt, meets with leaders over Rafah concerns

Cairo and Kuwait City meet to discuss humanitarian crisis in Gaza and necessity of ensuring peace in region.

April 27, 2024 | |

Blinken to Address Normalization With Israel During Visit to Saudi Arabia 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Saudi Arabia on April 28 for the World Economic Forum. While in Riyadh, Blinken is expected to discuss the normalization of Saudi-Israeli...

April 24, 2024 | |

Israel Develops Plan for Rafah Evacuation

The Israeli military is preparing to evacuate Gazan civilians from Rafah, Hamas’s last stronghold, as part of Israel’s planned offensive, The Wall Street Journal reported on...