GULF

Moscow Talks: Syria and Russia Confront Sensitive Issues

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa will visit Moscow on October 15 to attend the Russia-Arab League summit, according to al-Hadath. This marks the first high-level meeting between Syria’s new leadership in Damascus and the Kremlin. The visit comes as several sensitive issues remain unresolved, including the future of Russian military bases in ...

New UAE Ambassador Arrives in Beirut

The United Arab Emirates ambassador, Salem Fahd al-Kaabi, arrived in Beirut on Tuesday evening. He was greeted upon arrival by Consul Rodrigue Khoury, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His presence in Beirut marks the restoration of relations between Lebanon and the UAE, announced by Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan ...

The UN: Paralyzed and Powerless

This week, heads of state are taking the stage at the United Nations General Assembly. The routine is familiar: solemn speeches, pledges for peace, calls for multilateralism. Yet behind the diplomatic pomp and cameras focused on New York, everyone knows the real negotiations are happening elsewhere – in hushed corridors and behind closed ...

Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact Reshapes Regional Power Dynamics

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on Wednesday, making any act of aggression against one country an act of aggression against both. The accord was formalized during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Officials described the deal as a ...

UN Slams Israel's Qatar Attack as Assault on 'Regional Peace and Stability'

The United Nations rights chief warned on Tuesday that Israel's airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar last week threatened regional peace and stability and urged "accountability for unlawful killings". "Israel's strike on negotiators in Doha on September 9 was a shocking breach of international law," Volker Turk told the UN Human Rights ...

Hamas: A Shattered Sham

Israel’s strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar on Tuesday marked a sharp turning point. For the first time, Israel targeted the political heart of the Islamist movement outside its traditional battlegrounds. In Doha, where Hamas believed it had secured a safe and comfortable refuge, missiles served as a stark reminder that even gilded hotels and ...

UAE Summons Israel Envoy to Condemn 'Cowardly' Qatar Attack

The United Arab Emirates said it summoned Israel's deputy ambassador in Abu Dhabi on Friday, in a formal rebuke of his country's attack targeting Hamas leaders in Gulf neighbour Qatar. The UAE, along with Bahrain, was the first Gulf country to normalize ties with Israel in 2020 and has been a frequent critic of its military actions in Gaza. It ...

Lebanese Potatoes: Tubers, Challenges and Export Hopes

In a country where even bread is becoming a luxury, one might think the potato – king of family meals and star of mezze – is guaranteed a smooth ride. Yet behind every plate of crispy “batata” lies the story of farmers digging the soil… and digging deeper into debt. The Roots of the Problem According to the Ministry of Agriculture, ...

America’s Beirut Gamble: Barrack, Ortagus and Graham Push Lebanon Toward Peace

When Tom Barrack, Morgan Ortagus and Senator Lindsey Graham touched down in Beirut, it was clear that the United States was no longer willing to watch Lebanon’s crisis unfold from the sidelines. Their visit was not ceremonial. It was an intervention, part carrot, part stick, designed to push Lebanon into one of the most consequential decisions ...

Hezbollah: The Voice of Its Master

Hezbollah and its weapons, a never-ending tale. Same story, on repeat. Giving up the arsenal? Never. Without it, there is no arbitrary power, no rent to collect. And like any loyal client, Hezbollah clings to its dealer: Iran. Each time an Iranian leader takes the stage or embarks on a “diplomatic” tour, the pattern is predictable. Days ...

A Few Extra Hours of Power: Kuwait Helps Bring Back Light to Lebanon

Even a small relief can feel like a breath of fresh air in the daily lives of Lebanese families. But this shipment is more than just a tank of fuel: it represents a political gesture, much-needed financial support and a symbol of warming diplomatic ties with the Gulf monarchies. In a country where electricity has become a luxury and every hour of ...