For the Hebrew readers among you. I did not write the headline... www.globes.co.il/news/article...

Israel "shattered a fragile truce", when it responded to Hizballah missile and drone strikes. Right on, NYT!

UAE announces closure of its embassy in Tehran, withdrawal of ambassador www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...

For those of you who know Hebrew, I spoke about the economic ramifications of the current crisis for the Gulf States vod.tv10.co.il/live at 09:25

very good paper by my friend Gedalia Afterman, on a very important subject: the future of regional connectivity after the current crises: mitvim.org.il/wp-content/u...

Very interesting piece: gulfnews.com/opinion/op-e...

Wonder at what point the Gulf policy of paying stakes in US companies, in addition to just buying volumes of gas, as well as investing in other industries, runs fowl of nativists? www.agbi.com/analysis/oil...

Here's what DHS doesn't want you to know: Working for ICE is one of the safest jobs in America — and last year was the second-safest year for the agency on record. And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once. The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...

Venezuela shipping crude oil to Israel after its exports reopen, reports Bloomberg www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...

"Own goal" attributable to shoring up the base 8 months before scheduled elections and keeping the two ultra right parties in the camp during a challenging period. www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...

interesting. www.meforum.org/mef-observer...

Very interesting step. First toe in the water ... www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Not much of a surprise ....

This is one of those things that Trump will like, since it is Gulf investment in the US like he demanded, but may well eventually trigger different components of the MAGA universe, who will not be happy with "Arabs taking over US companies and resources". www.thenationalnews.com/business/ene...

Netanyahu's taking a victory lap over the return of last deceased hostage, glossing over that it's taken 843 days, 46 hostages died in captivity, and that the only reason they were released is because Trump twice imposed his view on Israeli government and forced them into deals against their will.

Israel's sovereign wealth fund is by law supposed to be earmarked largely for R&D, alternative energy, and dev of employment in Southern Israel. The current government is giving about half of the year's tranche to organizations and purposes associated with the interests of coalition partners.

Just as international shipping firms are returning to the Red Sea... www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Very interesting findings. www.inss.org.il/publication/...

Arab diplomat: Turkey, Qatar filling vacuum in Gaza created by Israel's snub of PA www.timesofisrael.com/arab-diploma...

Interesting: en.globes.co.il/en/article-i...

Arab diplomat: Turkey, Qatar filling vacuum in Gaza created by Israel's snub of PA www.timesofisrael.com/arab-diploma...

Refreshing my syllabus on "International and Regional Security issues in the MENA region". What is the best article you read about MENA in the past year?

Turkey mediating between Saudi Arabia and the UAE? Welcome to Bizarro World! www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

So I actually agree with this, but can't be a decision which a PM, especially this one, makes on his own. Totally on brand that he mentions it not to the Israeli press, which he boycotts, but floats it first of all in an interview with an international outlet in English. share.google/gTA3ObMjIuYo...

Complaint by a serious Israeli journalist who is far from leftist. Bibi's been systematically avoiding non-tame Israeli press since '19, and gives very few interviews or pressers in Hebrew, prefers conservative outlets and influencers in English www.timesofisrael.com/refusing-to-...

Interesting: "insurance remain very high for Red Sea, denting economics of the route. Fuel oil prices crashed to a 5yr low ... reducing extra costs of trip around Africa. Put both together, and the financial incentive to switch back to the canal route is low." www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

"[Normalisation of Red Sea routings] would reshape shipping economics...and could slash effective demand by as much as 10%, as shorter voyages reduce number of ships required on major lanes...That poses a problem for an industry already grappling with excess capacity". www.agbi.com/analysis/log...

My favorite classical performance. youtube.com/watch?v=KZTE...

Seems like a bit of an own goal. Won't make anyone except maybe the UAE happy, and despite being spun as expanding the Abraham Accords, I think most Israelis would get that this is performative www.reuters.com/world/middle...

"'It's felt for some time like the Israelis have buyer's remorse,' a WH official said... Witkoff & Kushner met with PM of Qatar, head of Egyptian intelligence & Turkish foreign minister... 1 of the goals of the meeting was to map out demands for Netanyahu ahead of mtg with Trump".

Under (not very clear) Israeli law, five states are mentioned **by name** as enemy States: Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen. Jordan and Egypt were, but were removed after the peace treaties. Important to remember because some Israelis accuse Bibi staff folk of "working for an enemy state".... /1

Thought about this today. This guy, whose career proved Peter Principle, counted his chickens before they hatched. The sheer idiocy-naming countries you think will to come next in a controversial and sensitive move... But it was during a very long election season www.ynetnews.com/article/SkSV...

Saudi Midad and Abu Dhabi conglomerates (reported in different sources variously as IHC, headed by Tahnoon bin Zayed, and ADNOC) both interested in buying Lukoil's overseas assets, which are on fire sale because of US sanctions which basically strangle it. www.oilandgasmiddleeast.com/news/saudi-f...

Very interesting. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Very good news. Not sure why it was delayed until now: mostly domestic politics. Clears the way for meeting between Bibi and a-Sisi. Americans weren't happy that Israel was holding up new Chevron deal. www.ynetnews.com/business/art...

I wonder: KSA main non-oil exports = chemicals/polymers/plastics, byproducts of the hydrocarbon industry. How much does defining them as "non-oil" exports and stressing their level really help understand whether there is true diversification away from oil in the economy? www.agbi.com/trade/2025/1...

While MENA states remained surprisingly resilient during and after Arab uprisings, Yemen-reunified in '90-has greatest potential to split (after Sudan, which did in '11). Resilience of Houthi state in North is a strong driver for the centrifugal forces in the South. www.newarab.com/analysis/sou...

This is kind of amazing when you realize the difference in the sizes of the countries involved ... And of course is a reflection of the uniqueness of the socioeconomic makeup of UAE (~90% guest workers), but also of the sheer size of the economy

Anybody else find it interesting and amusing that the Honduras election is between Asfura and Nasralla? Multiculturalism at play...

Was having interesting talk with young man who came late to higher education. He explained importance of understanding sociopol processes, opening self up to diff viewpoints, understanding dynamics that regulate our life, and then he said "like Charlie Kirk did and that's why 'they' killed him".

Have to say that when this is written about China, it is not an unalloyed good...

Netanyahu tapping his military secretary, General Roman Gofman, as next Mossad director, doesn't smell so good. Especially since his past amateur intelligence cosplaying put a loyal 17 year old Israeli boy under arrest for 18 months. www.timesofisrael.com/report-teen-...

Good piece: As Trump and Saudi prince heat up ties, Israel normalization left out in the cold www.timesofisrael.com/as-trump-and...

Figures shows brain drain spiked in 2023-2024 as well-educated fled overhaul, war www.timesofisrael.com/figures-show...

Went over paper of mine in '18 about Israeli relations with Gulf. Pretty proud of how much I got right (though also got quite a bit wrong). One point I mentioned then which is still strong is that Israel insistence on formal full dipl relations can hold back progress jiss.org.il/en/krasna-is...

The Forum for Regional Cooperation and our 7 partners held a great conference at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. Summed up 1/2 year's intensive work in 6 working groups of researchers from 13 states, on aspects of Abraham Accords after 5 years. Keep eyes peeled for pubs, and more events!

Happy National Day to all my Emirati friends.