US-GCC Summit: Agenda Overload, Leaders at Odds

by Wayne White Statements after the current summit between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will likely be upbeat. But they will obscure the difficult-to-resolve tensions during the May 13-14 talks. Iranian nuclear diplomacy will be central.… Continue Reading →

Prospects for Saudi-Iranian Detente Bleak

by Mehdi Jedinia Some optimistic analysts mistakenly believe that Iran and Saudi Arabia are heading toward a mutual understanding over a new regional security architecture based on a balance of powers between them and their allies. Instead, because the current situation is… Continue Reading →

Ariane Tabatabai on Negotiations with Iran

by Henry Johnson Ariane Tabatabai, a visiting assistant professor at Georgetown University, nuclear non-proliferation expert, and occasional contributor to LobeLog, is very busy these days. But she agreed to speak with us about the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.… Continue Reading →

Obama to the GCC: Getting the Message Right

by Robert E. Hunter On May 13-14, President Barack Obama will host leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the White House and Camp David. Ostensibly, the meeting is to try convincing these intense skeptics of nuclear negotiations with… Continue Reading →

How the US Contributed to Yemen’s Crisis

by Stephen Zunes As a Saudi-led military coalition continues to pound rebel targets in Yemen, the country is plunging into a humanitarian crisis. Civilian casualties are mounting. With U.S. logistical support, the Saudis are attempting to re-instate the country’s exiled… Continue Reading →