UAE leadership in Doha. This was not arranged yesterday. Like I said when MbZ visited MbS goal is to coordinate an Arab front vs Iranian weakness and Israeli recklessness, and it looks like the Emiratis took the lead in shaping a tripartite leadership (Saudi, UAE, Qatar) for such front.

For a while now GCC folks have been extremely worried that Israeli behaviour was unhinged - but nobody thought they could be targeted. Here a pic of the building in Qatar where an Israeli drone tried to take out a Hamas delegation discussing a potential deal.

This is major! After the bromance came to a halt and a LONG time not seeing each other, #UAE #MbZ visits #SaudiArabia with his brother and security czar Tahnoon bin Zayed. #MbS himself welcomes them. Key dossiers:
- Sudan de-escalation
- Syrian stability
- Israeli vs Iran
- Escalation in Yemen

Gearing up to come back to work on my fave region next month, with a new very special PA

Best birthday present ever from hubby. LoL
@ecfr.eu @ecfrmena.bsky.social

I can’t wait to be in Bologna next week for my book talk at John Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. The event is *open to the public* so if you are in Bologna and want to swing by, you can!

You can also follow online by registering at: jh.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Join us for this Middle East Institute - National University of Singapore virtual talk on Monday Feb 26 - 9am Europe time on my new book about Gulf security calculus in turbulent times! Masterfully moderated by JeanLoup Samaan.

More info & Register now to attend here: mei.nus.edu.sg/event/book-t...

UNREAL! 🎉

After 8 years of research & hundreds of interviews in #Riyadh, #UAE, #Oman, #Kuwait, #Qatar, #Bahrain, here is the book from my PhD thesis!

More info here, where you can (and should!) ask your librarian/institution to get you a copy: manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526170842

Sabotage averted! The #COP28 final text is ambitious, yet credible. Triple renewables, double efficiency; substantial progress on climate finance; commitments by o&g etc..Incidentally, it is very much in line with European positions, so kudos to the European negotiators. And also to the UAE host!

SaudiArabia’s CP MbS & Iran President Raisi have their first-ever phone call agreeing to stand by Palestine and stop the attack on Gaza.

Fully as expected: the Saudi deal to normalize with Israel, already difficult to happen in 2024, is delayed until further notice. One Hamas Mission accomplished