Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), gathered Saudi journalists in Riyadh in December to say that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had been an ally for decades, but had stabbed Saudi Arabia in the back, and threatened a response. According to Gulf experts, the disagreement between MBS and […]
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Middle East is entering a new era, which is has seen the US side-lined while China and Saudi Arabia take new leadership positions. Gone are the days when a Middle Eastern monarch marched to orders written in the Oval Office. Newly exerted independence and diplomacy tracks have […]
By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Iranian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was “officially reopened” on June 6 after the momentous signing of a Saudi Arabian-Iranian normalization deal brokered by China in March. The winds of change have been blowing from East to West, bringing fresh air to the Middle East and reconciling […]
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was met at the airport by Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on May 18 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ahead of the Arab League summit. Prince Badr, who is the Deputy Emir of Makkah Province, walked with al-Assad into the reception room, where they sat […]
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Jordan played host to the newest regional meeting on the road to the reinstatement of Syria as a member of the Arab world. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met privately with Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Amman on May 1, before the larger group meeting which included foreign […]
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator In November 2022, Saudi Arabia formally changed its stance on Syria. Saudi Arabia is the political powerhouse of the Middle East, and often shares positions on foreign policy and international issues with the UAE, which has previously re-opened their embassy in Damascus. “The kingdom is keen to maintain […]
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey are neighbors in an increasingly unstable Middle East, in which Saudi Arabia plays a key role. The US has meddled in the Middle East for decades and is responsible for the destruction of several countries who have not recovered from failed American policies. […]
There is indication that the P5+1 (US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany) will agree to a new nuclear deal. The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell traveled to Tehran and succeeded in gaining a resumption of indirect talks between the US and Iran in Qatar. Trade between Iran and the EU reached […]
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on June 20 on his first stop of his Middle East tour that comes ahead of a visit from US President Joe Biden to Saudi Arabia next month. During the two-day visit to Egypt, companies from […]
https://www.mideastdiscourse.com/2021/07/31/the-saudi-uae-disputes-reac… Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Disputes have popped up between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the war in Yemen, Syria and OPEC quotas. There has always been a rivalry, but in recent years the relationship between the two oil-rich nations was seen as warm and friendly. Now, the friendship […]
