The Gulf Arab States Versus Hezbollah

by Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner In recent weeks, Lebanon has become a brighter flashpoint in the intensifying geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Since the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and subsequently the League of Arab States, designated Hezbollah… Continue Reading

Yemen Conflict Raises Sectarian Temperatures across the Gulf

by Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner Yemen’s rapidly deteriorating conflict is heightening sectarian tension across the Middle East. Shi’ite leaders in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Lebanon—as well as Shi’ite communities throughout the Gulf Arab sheikdoms—have expressed staunch opposition to the… Continue Reading

Russia Undermining U.S. in the Middle East

by Daniel Wagner and Giorgio Cafiero The Ukraine crisis and the resulting deterioration of Russia’s ties with the West have fomented a level of geopolitical instability in Europe unseen in decades. Yet, the Middle East is arguably where Moscow and… Continue Reading

As EU Reconsiders Russian LNG, Qatar Waits in Wings

by Daniel Wagner, Giorgio Cafiero, and Sufyan bin Uzayr* Throughout the Ukraine crisis, EU leaders have become more vocal about their interest in reducing Europe’s consumption of Russian natural gas. As a result, Qatar — the world’s number-one provider of… Continue Reading