Foreign Editor of BBC News. Previously based in Washington DC, Jerusalem, Beijing, New Delhi and Jo’burg. Author of ‘The New Middle East’. My personal account.
May 14, 2019 • 19 tweets • 3 min read
A long thread to join some dots:
The WhatsApp hack, ‘sabotaged’ oil tankers, the push in the US to proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood & ‘plans’ to deploy US troops to the Gulf are all strands of the same story. At its heart is the struggle between Israel, Saudi Arabia & Iran
The Israeli army is unique in that it forms the backbone of many industrial enterprises in the country. That’s because the bonds formed during national service last a lifetime there. They are the singular most important time in a young Israeli’s life.
Mar 21, 2019 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
This move by Trump along with moving the US embassy to Jerusalem pretty much tells us where the Kushner Peace Plan is going. It will likely recognise all of Israel’s ‘facts on the ground’ across most of the disputed regions.
The weakness of the Palestinian Authority will be exploited & when it refuses to accept what’s on offer the administration will throw its hands in the air, blame Palestinian intransigence and begin to formally recognise Israel’s claims on parts of the occupied West Bank
Nov 7, 2017 • 7 tweets • 1 min read
I think the risk of a war between Israel & Hezbollah, played out on the streets of Lebanon, is greater now than it has been for many years
Israel & Saudi interests are almost entirely aligned. Saudi has a young prince who wants to show he’s a tough guy & in charge.
