Gulf States

Yemen’s fractured power struggle deepens its humanitarian, political crisis - opinion

As Yemen fractures between competing power centers, millions face poverty and hunger.

Yemeni children play soccer at a displaced persons camp in Marib, Yemen, October 29, 2024.
 Damaged military vehicles, reportedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to support Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatist forces, following an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the port of Mukalla, southern Yemen, on December 30, 2025.

Gulf alliance tested as Saudi Arabia pushes back against UAE role in Yemen - analysis

 Smoke rises from an explosion after a projectile hit a group of buildings at an undisclosed location, after US President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, in this screengrab obtained from a ha

Red Sea conflict boosts Israel‑Gulf‑India defense innovation - opinion

 Representatives of the UAE, US, Israel, Bahrain Morocco and Egypt at the Steering Committee of the Negev Forum, June 27, 2022.

Gulf turns to Israel for security as Washington pivots inwards - opinion


As Turkey's leader tours the Gulf, the region is showcasing its global influence - analysis

While the countries in question may have issues between each other, the overall sense of these visits with the GCC and Turkey, is how united the region is.  

 Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Turkish drone-maker Baykar, and Khaled bin Hussein Al-Bayari, Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs, attend a signing ceremony in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia July 18, 2023

Did Iran achieve its goals in the Gulf? - opinion

Iranian diplomacy is swiftly moving towards building closer relations with its neighboring countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

 Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi meets Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Muscat, Oman June 21, 2023.

Russia and Gulf countries seek to increase cooperation - analysis

The Gulf is increasingly a center of world affairs, with Russia's meeting with the GCC coming amid the war in Ukraine as well as other high-profile international delegations.

 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi attend a joint press conference in Moscow, on July 10, 2023.

Hezbollah’s drills convey a deadly message - opinion

Military drills by Hezbollah are Iran’s warning to Israel, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

 HEZBOLLAH MEMBERS take part in a military exercise during a media tour organized for the occasion of Resistance and Liberation Day, in Aaramta, Lebanon, last month.

Iran pushes for naval alliance in Indian ocean, claims Gulf countries may participate

Iran has previously worked with China and Russia but its new initiative may try to capitalize on reports of the UAE leaving the US-led Combined Maritime Forces.  

 Members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) navy participate in an exercise in the south of Iran, in this picture obtained on January 17, 2023.

UAE says it withdrew from US-led maritime coalition two months ago

The Combined Maritime Forces is a 34-nation task force working on security, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf areas.

 Ships from partner nations of Combined Task Force North participate in a photo exercise during a 60-nation International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2022 (IMX/CE22), in the the Arabian Gulf, Middle East, in this photo taken on February 9, 2022 and released by the U.S. Navy on February 10, 202

Iran courts Oman while bashing Israel - analysis

Oman has traditionally been a neutral state in the Gulf, generally open to warm talks with Iran but also close with its other Gulf neighbors.

 Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq meets with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (not pictured) in Tehran, Iran May 29, 2023.

Turkey heads to final run-off election - analysis

It’s unclear why hope for change vanished after May 14. By any standard, the fact that the party ruling the country for two decades can’t get fifty percent would seem to represent a loss.

 Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Ermine Erdogan, greets supporters at the AK Party headquarters in Ankara, Turkey May 15, 2023.

Bahrain resumes diplomatic ties with Lebanon

The resumption of diplomatic ties comes as states throughout the region work on diplomatic reconciliation.

 Bahraini and Lebanese flags

Israel, Morocco co-host women in innovation conference in Marrakesh

The event, meant to promote regional peace and prosperity, comes less than three years after the Abraham Accords normalized Israel’s relations with Morocco.

 Graffiti wall in Marrakesh, jointly created by three artists from Israel, Morocco and Senegal.