Giorgio Cafiero

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.

Will the Daesh attack in Manbij bring Washington and Ankara Closer?

The knee-jerk reaction to the killing of US military personnel in Syria has been that the US might reverse their planned withdrawal. To the contrary, it might solidify the decision to leave, and also lead to increased Turkey-US cooperation.

Will tensions between Bahrain and Iraq trigger a wider political crisis?

Opposition to Bahrain's monarchy has set up shop in Iraq and criticism within Iraq of Bahrain's crackdown on dissidents hasn't gone down well in Manama. The perceived interference in Bahraini affairs could set Iraq on a collision course with the GCC.

Trouble in central Africa's 'little emirate'

The attempted coup in Gabon is a reminder to the Bongo family—who have ruled for decades—that their reign is fragile, and will need serious reforms to survive.

Turkey rebukes Trump administration's incoherent Syria policy

US flip-flopping on its Middle East policy shows a severe lack of understanding of the region and negligence for its allies' national security interests.

Erdogan to the Saudis: either you reveal the truth, or we’ll do it for you

What Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan left out of his speech on the Khashoggi case is just as vital as what was in the speech.

Will Saudi Arabia need to build new relationships?

The disappearance of Khashoggi is part of a changing dynamic in US-Saudi relations, with the Kingdom increasingly hedging with other alliances.

The FATF’s rejection of Saudi Arabia hurts Riyadh

Saudi Arabia and Mohammad bin Salman will have to do a lot more to prove to the world that they are genuinely moving towards the ambitious 'Vision 2030'.