Giorgio Cafiero

Are the mass executions in Saudi Arabia intended to provoke Iran?

If history is anything to go by then Saudi Arabia's executions of thirty-seven Saudis, most believed to be Shia, could incite anger in the region and a response from Iran.

Sudan: The counter-revolution will not be televised

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have a long history of counter-revolutions in the Muslim world - are they gearing up for another in Sudan?

Trump’s Iranian Revolutionary Guard policy endangers the Middle East

The decision to label the IRGC as a terrorist organisation is unnecessarily provocative from the Trump administration.

Saudi payout to Khashoggi's family is a clear admission of guilt

The compensation paid to Jamal Khashoggi's family won't quell global outrage against the Saudi Kingdom.

Trump’s Golan Heights decision rebuked by Turkey

The US administration has dropped any pretence of following diplomatic norms or international law and Ankara has called them on it every step of the way.

The 'liberation' of Baghouz and what we can expect from 'Daesh 2.0'

The defeat of Daesh in Syria should be celebrated, but the world should be cognizant that the next manifestation of Daesh could lead to a global wave of terror.

The Trump administration is swimming against the tide on the Yemen war

The US Senate vote in favour of ending support for the war in Yemen is an important indicator that attitudes in Washington are changing and the Trump administration is becoming isolated.

Kuwait refuses to budge as other Gulf nations abandon the Palestinian cause

The most prominent Gulf nations are normalising ties with Israel without gaining any concessions from the Israelis. Why has Kuwait not followed its closest allies?

Is investing in Saudi Arabia worth the risk?

Saudi Arabia is attempting to diversify its economy, however, under the erratic leadership of MBS many investors are cautious.

Fate of Bahraini footballer will inevitably net Thailand an own goal

Thailand is between a rock and a hard place trying to pick who it is more willing to upset; Bahrain and the GCC or Australia, human rights organisations, and football's governing bodies.

Is the UAE a bastion of tolerance in the Middle East?

The UAE is religiously diverse thanks to a large number of expats who practice their religion openly in the country. Pope Francis' visit is a welcome development but the UAE can do a lot more to be a truly 'tolerant' nation.

Can Europe protect its interests despite US Sanctions on Iran?

It's too early to say whether the attempt in Europe to circumvent US sanctions will protect European-Iranian economic ties, but the US should support it to demonstrate that their beef is with the Iranian government, not its people.