Bahrain

Iran Targets Cyprus After Khamenei’s Killing

A major Iranian escalation unfolded on Sunday following the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as Iranian missiles targeted Cyprus, a member of NATO. British Defense Secretary John Healey announced that Iranian missiles were fired at British military bases on the island. He also revealed that 300 British soldiers had been stationed near ...

Iran Army Says Targeted U.S. Bases in Iraq, Gulf

Fresh blasts were heard across Dubai, Doha and Manama on Sunday morning as Iran carried out strikes in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks that killed the supreme leader and other top officials. AFP reporters heard blasts in Dubai, Bahrain's capital Manama and Qatar -- where AFP correspondents saw thick black smoke rising on the clear ...

CENTCOM Confirms Launch of Operation “Epic Fury” Against Iranian Targets

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched Operation “Epic Fury” on February 28 on orders from the President of the United States, striking key elements of Iran’s security apparatus. According to CENTCOM, U.S. and allied forces began attacks at 1:15 a.m. ET (06:15 GMT), targeting Revolutionary Guard command ...

Gulf Countries Respond to Regional Escalation

United Arab Emirates In an official statement, the UAE said, “The Iranian attack on our territory is a serious escalation and a cowardly act.” The UAE added that it reserves the right to respond to the missile attack in accordance with international law after Iranian ballistic missiles targeted U.S. military bases in the Gulf. The ...

The End of the Middle East’s Oil Bonanza

The Middle East has finally arrived at the grim reckoning long barreling toward it: a ruinous collapse of oil revenues that renders government deficits utterly unsustainable. Among the wealthy Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, four are running persistent annual budget deficits that are eroding their sovereign wealth reserves and plunging ...

Lebanese Neutrality: The Strategic Interest Shared by Beirut and Jerusalem

Lebanon's neutrality in regional conflicts is the single most important strategic choice it can make today, serving its core national interests and those of Israel in equal measure. If the Lebanese understand this, their country will be well on its way not only to recovery but to an economic boom. More than a year after the November 2024 ...

Peace with Israel: Lebanon's Path to Economic Revival

An unconditional peace treaty with Israel, inspired by the Abraham Accords' success, could reduce Lebanon’s security risks, unlock billions in foreign investments, revive trade, agriculture, and services, and create jobs—offering economic salvation while preserving Lebanon’s support of Palestinians.  Normalization could boost Lebanon’s ...

Saudi Arabia-Lebanon: A Major Trade Thaw Begins

Signs of warning relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are becoming increasingly evident. Many see it as long overdue for Lebanon to reclaim its place within its natural sphere: the Arab world. On Monday, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, advisor to the Saudi Foreign Minister, visited Beirut with a technical delegation. The visit aimed to explore ...

Defense and Israel at the Heart of MBS’s Washington Visit

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), is expected in Washington on Tuesday November 18 for a meeting with United States President Donald Trump. The visit is seen as crucial for the US administration and is meant to revive and broaden the Abraham Accords while strengthening strategic and economic ties between Washington and ...

Saudi Prince, Eyeing Defence Pledge, to Meet Trump After Long US Absence

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will press for security guarantees while US President Donald Trump will urge him to normalise ties with Israel when the de facto Saudi ruler breaks a seven-year absence from Washington this week. Saudi Arabia is unlikely to agree to normalisation at this stage, with Prince Mohammed's priority set for firmer US ...

Asian Games: A Historic Medal for Lebanon — Hala Mekdashi Leads the Way

The Lebanese flag proudly found its place on the Manama podium. After four days of intense fights, Hala Mekdashi delivered an exceptional performance at the 2025 Asian Youth Games. Narrowly defeated in the final by Palestinian Vivian Alis (30–27), the young Lebanese champion has placed Lebanon on the medals table for the first time since ...

Fencing: Ghadi el-Chemali, the Lebanese Blade Charging Toward Olympus

There are talents who burst onto the scene blade in hand, mask down, eyes locked on the future. Ghadi el-Chemali is one of them. Born in 2005, this fencing prodigy has carved out a name for himself on the Lebanese scene… and is beginning to make his mark internationally. Six training sessions a week under the guidance of national coach Mahmoud ...