Yemen peace talks begin, with release of prisoners as a confidence measure. Saudi Arabia on the back foot, the US administration obsessed with Iran, but Congress looking for a halt.
Articles tagged: ‘USA’
MBS’s tour – pluses and minuses
Posted onMBS visited six Arab states before and after the G20. Proof of confidence he is under no threat at home. Governments toe the line of friendship, with some rewards. Problems in the Maghreb.
Oil: The “Donald Dip”
Posted onSaudi Arabia may or may not continue to bend to President Donald Trump’s wish to see the oil price go lower still. But there are good reasons to suppose that, whatever Opec decides on 6 December, the trend for the next few weeks at least may be upwards.
Airbnb – “Buzz Power”
Posted onAirbnb delists properties in the occupied West Bank. Outrage in Israel. Economically insignificant but will catch attention for BDS at least for 15 minutes.
UNRWA
Posted onUS halts support for UNRWA. UNRWA and its activities. Likely political consequences.
Lebanon: no government in sight
Posted onLebanon’s internal complications multiplied by external interference. US exclusion of Hizbullah. Burden of Syrian and Palestinian refugees.
Khashoggi – the effects widen
Posted onKhashoggi – Turkey keeps up the pressure. Saudi Arabia on the back foot. Congress and media want action. US and other governments face a dilemma.
Gaza: violent exchanges
Posted onGaza – following some apparent easing, the most serious outbreak of violence since 2014. Ceasefire not secure. An incident at the UN.
Sudan coming in from the cold
Posted onSudan – old genocide charge unresolved, but conflicts reduced and security improving. US warming up relations.
Turkey and USA – problems in Syria
Posted onTurkish/US relations warmer, Trump/ Erdoğan meeting Sunday, but objectives in Syria seem irreconcilable.