Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #gulf
Most recents (24)
PM @CMShehbaz congratulations #Pakistan's spy chief for success in #ISI's "most complex intelligence operation" in intelligence service's recent history.
What did the ISI exactly do? Some details are listed in this #thread. /1
What did the ISI exactly do? Some details are listed in this #thread. /1
#Pakistan's premier spy agency, the #ISI captured wanted #Balochistan terrorism commander Gulzar Imam Shambay in a sophisticated intelligence operation that spanned more than a year and involved cooperation from eleven spy agencies in eleven states. /2
Commander Gulzar Imam Shambay's brother was a suicide bomber in a spectacular attack on two #Pakistan Army bases in #Balochistan in Feb 2022, where terrorists used explosions followed by incursions aiming to taking hostages to create a media spectacle. /3
voanews.com/a/pakistan-mil…
voanews.com/a/pakistan-mil…
The American Jewish Congress released a statement on May 8, 2023 on Bashar Al Assad rejoining the Arab League. This is a good time to recall why this is not a good idea after #Assad attended an Arab Summit in #SaudiArabia over the weekend. Read this #thread⬇️/1
@JackRosenNYC
@JackRosenNYC
The #AmericanJewishCongress is alarmed that efforts are underway to rehabilitate #BasharAssad. Before any normalization, Assad needs to talk to the opposition, eliminate #Iran presence in #Syria, and initiate a political transition in accordance with UNSCR 2254. /2
Sharing our concerns about rehabilitating #BasharAlAssad is more than half of Syria’s population displaced by #Assad’s actions over the past decade, says @JackRosenNYC, President of #AmericanJewishCongress. /3
Normalizing #Assad; cntn’d…
“#Syria & #Saudi_Arabia have agreed to reopen their embassies after cutting diplomatic ties more than a decade ago; a step that would mark a leap forward in Damascus's return to the Arab fold.” reuters.com/world/middle-e…
“#Syria & #Saudi_Arabia have agreed to reopen their embassies after cutting diplomatic ties more than a decade ago; a step that would mark a leap forward in Damascus's return to the Arab fold.” reuters.com/world/middle-e…
“The decision was the result of talks in #Saudi_Arabia with a senior #Syrian intelligence official.
A Gulf diplomat said a high-ranking Syrian intelligence official "stayed for days" in Riyadh & agreement was struck to reopen embassies "very soon".”
A Gulf diplomat said a high-ranking Syrian intelligence official "stayed for days" in Riyadh & agreement was struck to reopen embassies "very soon".”
“One regional source identified the official as #Hussam_Louqa, who heads #Syria's #intelligence committee; talks included security on Syria's border w #Jordan & the smuggling of captagon to the Arab #Gulf, from Syria.”
@ECFRMena & @ECFRAsia cross-over! Me & @a_bachulska wrote a short piece on #China - #GCC relations *seen from both sides.* We thought there was an abundance of partial viewpoints but really scarcity of strategic comprehensive overview. 1/
ecfr.eu/article/an-ope…
ecfr.eu/article/an-ope…
The first thing we do is put to rest the once ubiquitous argument that #China-#Gulf relations are only economic. In fact, they are grounded in compatible visions of #multipolarity. A year after #RussiaInvadedUkraine, multipolarity is the real winner! 2/
tinyurl.com/9dkx6xv3
tinyurl.com/9dkx6xv3
#Beijing is the 1st #trade partner for the monarchies & invested in key infrastructures, ie acquired 20% of largest #port in #SaudiArabia (Jeddah). But #GCC leaders are also wary of Chinese reliability-ie obstacles to sign #FTA despite #Xi insistence. 3/
tinyurl.com/9dkx6xv3
tinyurl.com/9dkx6xv3
1) A recent interview with a Lebanese political figure exposed, once again, the failures of the current political rhetoric on the ongoing #economic crisis in #Lebanon. This rhetoric, which dominates public discourse, is not only outdated and futile, but also harmful
2) In the interview, Geagea stipulates that his party stands against the principle of “distribution of losses”, considering that no losses have occurred and that debt is accrued and should be repaid to depositors
🧵Latest w/ @JM_Szuba: US officials confirm that OPEC cuts have not hindered plans to turn existing military facilities in #Saudi into an air/missile defense network testing centre involving many states willing to work together against #Iran's drone threat al-monitor.com/originals/2022…
2. “Think of it like a rifle range for air and missile defenses,” US Army Brig. Gen. John Cogbill,the command’s deputy director for ops, told Al-Monitor in at #CENTCOM headquarters. “You can put [a system] through its paces, get that feedback, and test its limits.”
3. The facility tentatively dubbed the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center will focus specifically on testing and fielding both existing and new counter-drone technologies.
TIA Exclusive: Chief Minister of India’s National Capital #ArvindKejriwal is found to have #gulf and #western connections that manages his party’s various social media pages.
YouTube Link:
#ArvindKejriwal #AAP #Facebook
YouTube Link:
#ArvindKejriwal #AAP #Facebook
Official Page of #AAP supremo @ArvindKejriwal is found to be handled from a #Gulf Country #Qatar and #USA, which may lead to a security breach as the leader is involved in intricate politics. 
Several top leaders of #AamAadmiParty are seen to be following the same trend. #Punjab Cabinet Minister for Info & PR, Housing @AroraAmanSunam has #Facebook page admin from #Canada, where supporters of #Khalistanimovement are at peak.
Significant statement from caretaker PM @yairlapid: "Two-state solution is a strong guarantee for a democratic state of #Israel with a #Jewish majority."
Interesting moment during the @JoeBiden-@yairlapid presser in #Jerusalem when #Saudi news outlet @AlArabiya correspondent asked @POTUS what the #US is offering #Gulf states on #Iran's malign activity in region, and Lapid on where #Israel disagreed with Washington on Iran policy.
#Israel is helping #Biden's #US normalize relations with #SaudiArabia and key #Arab allies.
Food for thought:
Food for thought:
#China is building #PLA naval facility in northern portiion of #Cambodia’s #Ream #NavalBase on the #Gulf of #Thailand. #PLAN
Back in 2019, #China signed an agreement allowing its armed forces to use a #Cambodian #NavalBase to boost its ability to project military power around the globe.
New for @iraqoilreport: my interview w/ #Iraq's electricity minister. Key points:
- New deal w/ #Iran to pay for gas supply threatened by Iraqi court ruling limiting gov powers, spending
- Aim for 25GW supply this summer, still going to be shortage.
iraqoilreport.com/news/qa-electr…
- New deal w/ #Iran to pay for gas supply threatened by Iraqi court ruling limiting gov powers, spending
- Aim for 25GW supply this summer, still going to be shortage.
iraqoilreport.com/news/qa-electr…
Karim told me about his talks with Iran's Oil Minister , @javad_owji over new gas supply deal: "We had a very good & also a very tough discussion. We agreed on 2-3 articles. Firstly, we have to pay all the loans they're asking for, around $1.69bn."
iraqoilreport.com/news/qa-electr…
iraqoilreport.com/news/qa-electr…
Details: #Iraq pays debt repayment into Trade Bank of Iraq. #Iran says what it wants to use the money to purchase; U.S. OKs purchases in line with Washington's sanctions on Tehran.
iraqoilreport.com/news/qa-electr…
iraqoilreport.com/news/qa-electr…
Actions and policies of ousted ex-PM #ImranKhan and his #PTIGovernment have led to arrests, denial of jobs, travel bans, and deportations of Pakistanis from #Turkey #UAE #France #SaudiArabia #China. All in just three years. The latest is Saudi crackdown on pro-Khan Pakistanis. /1
In April, ex-PM #ImranKhan's incitement was responsible for Pakistanis getting radicalized in two countries: #Turkey+#SaudiArabia. 🇹🇷 arrested 27 pro-Khan Pakistanis on Apr 12. 🇸🇦 has repeatedly arrested Khan sympathizers in 2019+2020+2021 & 2022. /2
arab.news/jqckz
arab.news/jqckz
In 2020, PM #ImranKhan's followers launched online campaign against #Arab-#Israel peace agreement #AbrahamAccords, radicalizing young Pakistanis in the #Gulf who protested on streets in #UAE & #SaudiArabia, leading to loss of jobs, expulsions, visa bans/3
#Iran-backed #Houthi militia is now involved in at least two attacks resulting in injuries+death of #Pakistan citizens in #KSA+#UAE. In May 2021, Houthis targeted #Jeddah within hours of the arrival of PM #ImranKhan+First Lady [see: ] /1
Apart from killing a #Pakistan citizen, the #Houthi attack on @AdnocGroup facility targets an energy partner of six largest Pakistani oil & gas companies [See ]
[ADNOC statement ]
/2
[ADNOC statement ]
/2
#Iran-backed #Houthi attack in #AbuDhabi comes days after #UAE NSA met Iranian NSA in #Tehran. Meeting appeared cordial in pictures [see ].
Earlier, Iran issued inflammatory statements on UAE-#Israel bilateral exchanges [see ]
Earlier, Iran issued inflammatory statements on UAE-#Israel bilateral exchanges [see ]
Today, as we celebrate 50 glorious years of this country, I have a little story to share of my family... about my great grandfather who set out an adventure 130 years ago that ended in a land that would one day take on the identity of the #UAE #UAE50
The year was 1880 and he was one of several from the #Bhatia community of #Thatha #Sindh, now #Pakistan, who had heard stories of the waters of the #Gulf a perfect breeding ground for a pearl industry to thrive #UAENationalDay #UAE50
Through stories shared by my late grandmother, my father paint a picture of a tough, brutal landscape that broke spirits in those early years. The scarcity of drinking water, food, coupled with the soaring temperatures taught them tough life lessons. #UAENationalDay #UAE50
The failed assassination attempt vs #IraqiPM #Kadhimi calls for several observations:
• 1st contextual element: Recent Iraqi elections were clear setback for #Iran (w/out really strengthening the PM’s own constituency; while strengthening #Muqtada_Sadr, a volatile actor).
(1)
• 1st contextual element: Recent Iraqi elections were clear setback for #Iran (w/out really strengthening the PM’s own constituency; while strengthening #Muqtada_Sadr, a volatile actor).
(1)
A thread on imagining impacts of the #Metaverse on “my” world. How will the job of a #geopolitics analyst be different? How will this new platform change international relations in general and the #Gulf in particular? Feel free to add your take, it’s simply thinking out loud.
1/
1/
First, meetings & events. #Zoom events are here to stay, alongside in-person ones. But a digital event on #Metaverse could be so much better and closer to a real-life experience, enhanced by instant access to resources 2/
Then, outputs. Will it make sense to write papers when you can produce an interactive output combining texts, recordings, images/videos in the form of a meta-research on #geopolitics on #Metaverse? 3/
#SaudiArabia expels #Lebanon ambassador. #GCC states expected to follow suit. Decision could impact Lebanese labor; comes after 🇱🇧 govt minister supports #Houthi militia in #Yemen. But this step reflects #Gulf frustration at #Iran-backed #Hezbollah militia's chokehold over 🇱🇧. /1
#Saudi decision to throw out #Lebanon ambassador is not a sudden move but also caps years of #Iran/#IRGC using #Lebanon produce/fruit export trucks to smuggle narcotics into the #Gulf. /2
#Kuwait media tycoon @Ahmadaljaralah says #Lebanon minister's statement is admission of #Iran military interference in #Yemen; calls #Hezbollah chief Nasrallah "Hassan Ammonia" (reference to #Beirut port warehouse explosion) /3
It’s out! 🎊
My new @ecfr paper on how #Europe can ride the #climate momentum in the #Gulf deploying its #GreenDeal to meet #NetZero & #geopolitical objectives in the region ➡️ bit.ly/2XOK8bG
Read b4 #COP26 #COP26Glasgow
Few take-aways 1/
My new @ecfr paper on how #Europe can ride the #climate momentum in the #Gulf deploying its #GreenDeal to meet #NetZero & #geopolitical objectives in the region ➡️ bit.ly/2XOK8bG
Read b4 #COP26 #COP26Glasgow
Few take-aways 1/
Good that #SaudiArabia & #UAE have pledged #NetZero but #GCC total domestic emissions are only 2.4% of world’s. The #EU needs to focus on the emissions they export, mostly to #China, I argue how: bit.ly/2XOK8bG 2/
As shown by the #SaudiGreenInitiative & #MiddleEastGreenInitiative + #UAE willingness to host #COP 28, the #GCC leaders now see a political value in embracing the #climate agenda. This paper described what each #GCC country is actually *doing* about it: bit.ly/2XOK8bG 3/
Interesting coincidence that #US @DeputySecState Wendy Sherman is in #Pakistan two days after her #Iran counterpart Deputy FM Ali Bagheri was here. DepSecState @wendyrsherman played a key role in the original #JCPOA negotiations. /1
#Iran Deputy FM visit in the same week is coincidental. @DeputySecState Wendy Sherman's visit is focused on #Afghanistan, and the "important and longstanding #US-#Pakistan relationship," in her words. Here's @StateDeptSpox statement on the meeting with NSA @YusufMoeed. /2
DepSecState Sherman's visit comes at the intersection of several issues: topping the list is #Afghanistan, but also jitters in #India at the renewed #USPakistan engagement, and the regional security situation [#Gulf+South Asia+#China]. /3
The #Middle_East after Kabul’s fall; how reshaped?
“The #US withdrawal from #Afghanistan and the #Taliban's new leadership has brought about a multitude of surprising alliances.” haaretz.com/middle-east-ne…
“The #US withdrawal from #Afghanistan and the #Taliban's new leadership has brought about a multitude of surprising alliances.” haaretz.com/middle-east-ne…
“Without #Qatar’s mediation and involvement, the #US withdrawal would likely have been much more violent and bloody.
Years ago, Qatar was “chosen” by the #Taliban to be the liaison between them and the United States.”
Years ago, Qatar was “chosen” by the #Taliban to be the liaison between them and the United States.”
“#Qatar became a key state in the #US’ relat w the Islamist group,& arranged the meeting bet @CIA chief #William_Burns & #Taliban. Qatar is now running negos w Taliban over safeguarding Kabul’s airport, which will enable Taliban to start rebuild #Afghanistan & forge int’l ties.”
#EU Foreign Ministers meet today for #Gymnich. They will discuss #Afghanistan. But then they will discuss the #Gulf. This is a rare occurrence - EU Ministers have discussed #JCPOA often but very rarely regional geopolitics between the #GCC, #Iraq & #Iran. They do now because… ⬇️
…because of the #Baghdad_summit last week and #France’s involvement in it. Most in #EU that #Iraq can be the hub for regional diplomacy in the #Gulf, building on talks btwn #SaudiArabia & #Iran. Reality is that with no progress on #Yemen these talks are shallow but ⬇️
Enough people who know about #Afghanistan are weighing in on the tragic/frightening scenes in #Kabul that there's no need for me to add my 2 cents. I do know something about the #MiddleEast so here are some thoughts about the ripples of the #Taliban victory across the region.1/13
No regional government is thrilled with both the humbling of US power AND the rise of a violent radical Sunni extremist govt in #Kabul allied with al-Qaeda. Some may welcome the former but none want the latter. 2/13
Reports on #Iran-#SaudiArabia intelligence contact in #Iraq.
#Zarif leaves #Qatar. #Saudi FM lands in #Doha, invites Emir Sheikh Tamim to meet the King in #Riyadh.
#Tehran (& the #US?) appears to try to take the #Gulf on board.
This could isolate #Israel in a revived #JCPOA.
#Zarif leaves #Qatar. #Saudi FM lands in #Doha, invites Emir Sheikh Tamim to meet the King in #Riyadh.
#Tehran (& the #US?) appears to try to take the #Gulf on board.
This could isolate #Israel in a revived #JCPOA.
Some in #Vienna appear to want to isolate #Israel. But officials in #Gulf/#GCC face a difficult choice. They have to weigh if a compromise on #JCPOA and weakening Israel's position will resolve the problem of #Iran's malign activities? Or will it be a temporary solution?
The #US is directly engaging #GCC on #JCPOA, while FM #Zarif engages #SaudiArabia through #Qatar and #Iraq.
If the #Gulf comes aboard, #Israel and #Republicans will be effectively sidelined.
If the #Gulf comes aboard, #Israel and #Republicans will be effectively sidelined.
#EXCLUSIVE: Greece’s Foreign Minister @NikosDendias tells Arab News that #Greek #Patriot missiles deal with #SaudiArabia will bolster the Kingdom’s defenses, secure global energy supplies | arab.news/jgmnp
@NikosDendias #INTERVIEW: Greece’s Foreign Minister @NikosDendias tells Arab News #Greek participation in #Saudi development projects is not about money — “this is a project that has a historical component.” | arab.news/jgmnp
@NikosDendias #INTERVIEW: #Greece’s Foreign Minister @NikosDendias tells Arab News that #Turkey “unintentionally” made #EasternMediterranean & #Gulf countries realize they have a common understanding based on international laws | arab.news/jgmnp
