Whatever’s Happening In The Gulf Is Probably About Iran

by Derek Davison Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain all recalled their ambassadors from Qatar last Wednesday, citing Qatar’s support for organizations and individuals that threaten “the security and stability of the Gulf states”: The statement said they… Continue Reading

Ambassadorial Recall Signals Deepening Rifts Among Gulf Sheikhs

by Emile Nakhleh Yesterday’s public announcement by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain that they’re withdrawing their ambassadors from Qatar signals a serious rift within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The seismic regional changes that have occurred… Continue Reading

Has Iran’s Position on Syria Changed?

by Jasmin Ramsey *This post has been updated. Jim refuses to join Twitter, but today Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani provided him with another reason to reconsider: Iran gives notice to international community to use all its might to prevent use… Continue Reading

Washington’s Worries Grow Over Saudi Ties

by Jim Lobe via IPS News As the administration of President Barack Obama continues wrestling with how to react to the military coup in Egypt and its bloody aftermath, officials and independent analysts are increasingly worried about the crisis’s effect… Continue Reading

Neocons Gloat About Islamist Iraq, Denounce Islamism

Something of a little blog firestorm was sparked when the Washington Post‘s neoconservative blogger Jennifer Rubin claimed that George W. Bush deserved credit for setting in motion the Tunisian uprising against its U.S.-backed dictator because the seed that sprouted popular… Continue Reading