Oil
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U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic
Playing poker with Iran
Iran and the U.S. seem to have reversed roles with the Trump administrationʹs decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal. Iranʹs isolation before the agreement now contrasts with Americaʹs determination to swim against the global tide. By Hassan Hakimian
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Geopolitical alliances in the Middle East
Religionʹs waning role
Todayʹs turmoil in the Middle East is rooted largely in historical legacies and poor leadership, but the influence of religion hasnʹt helped. So it is good news that, from Saudi Arabia to Israel to Iraq, religion is increasingly being superseded by strategic and security interests in shaping regional affairs. By Shlomo Ben-Ami
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Iraqʹs wrangle over natural resources
The battle for Kurdish oil
Tensions between Iraqi federal government and the Kurds centres around a long-running dispute over the countryʹs oil revenues. While Baghdad denies Kurdistanʹs right to conclude production contracts without prior central government approval, the Kurdistan Regional Government claims this as a constitutional right. By Stasa Salacanin
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Malaysiaʹs Mahathir targets corruption
Graft links to the Gulf
Newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir is adopting policies that could re-shape the southeast Asian nationʹs relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. By James M. Dorsey
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Saudi Arabia and the West
Europe's window of opportunity
A new social contract is being drawn up in Saudi Arabia. This presents Germany and its EU partners with new opportunities. But if these are to be properly utilised, they should demonstrate greater commitment to defusing the conflict with Iran. By Matthias Sailer
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U.S. de-certifies Iran nuclear deal
Tread softly, President Trump
Notwithstanding the dreadful mistake of de-certification, Trump can keep the deal on life support if he does not immediately re-impose sanctions. This would give the other five powers the time needed to work collectively with Iran and reach a new agreement. Commentary by Alon Ben-Meir
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Political transformation under Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabiaʹs perilous pivot
The politics of Mohammed bin Salman hardly bode well for the stability of the Middle East. The Saudi Crown Prince is taking an increasingly tough line against Iran and that countryʹs regional ambitions, thus exacerbating the Sunni-Shia divide. By Shlomo Avineri
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UAE foreign policy and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
Hardly a ruler in waiting
Architect of the United Arab Emiratesʹ assertive foreign policy approach is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi: he it is who ultimately makes the decisions, in consultation with several of his brothers and the ruler of Dubai. Report by Matthias Sailer
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Saudi Arabian and UAE foreign policy
A finger in every pie
When it comes to furthering their own interests, few political actors are currently attempting to influence developments in the Middle East and North Africa on so many fronts as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). By Matthias Sailer
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U.S. policy on the Middle East
The imperial reflex
The United States believes it can enforce the policy of sanctions it has directed against Iran on the rest of the world as well. In no third country are the possible implications as grave as in Turkey, says Stefan Buchen in his analysis
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Africa's Muslims
Pawns of the Saudis
Rich Saudis are investing millions in building mosques in Africa. And they are being accused of using radical preachers to destabilise the region. But there has long been much more at stake on the African continent than proselytising. By Gwendolin Hilse
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Power play in Saudi Arabia
Charting a seismic shift
With an unprecedented wave of arrests, the young Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is trying to consolidate his power in the country. But he is making some dangerous enemies. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary