✍️ The war on Iran is a Zeitenwende moment for Gulf states, shifting their security calculus and geopolitical positioning. This opens up space for partnerships with Europe to stabilise this region of great importance for the global economy. @cinziabianco.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/the-...

Europeans must help steer the region away from the vortex of violence that sucks in the legitimate security concerns of the Gulf countries, and could trap them and their neighbours in a state of perpetual tensions and instability, writes @cinziabianco.bsky.social

The war on Iran marks a turning point in the security calculus of the Gulf monarchies. Strategic hedging has failed—and Europeans could become just the reliable partners the monarchies need, writes Cinzia Bianco. https://bit.ly/4uROVnp

The Gulf countries are experiencing a true Zeitenwende: this is the end of strategic hedging - moving forward they will need reliable and stable friends. And an entirely different (surprising?) regional security architecture. Tips for Europeans. My latest for @ecfrmena.bsky.social

Europeans recognised that Gulf security is linked to EU security. Protecting EU interests requires diplomatic off-ramp, preventing Iran from collapsing into a failed state, and strengthening maritime and infrastructure security with Gulf partners. My latest: www.brusselstimes.com/opinions/202...

18/ @cinziabianco.bsky.social speaks to La Repubblica about how the Gulf countries are presenting a united front in the face of persisting Iranian attacks www.repubblica.it/esteri/2026/...

🎧 In the WOMENP podcast, @cinziabianco.bsky.social, Yasmeen Al-Eryani and Maysaa Shuja al-Deen unpack what the current developments in Yemen mean for its fragile political trajectory and wider regional security, and their key implications for Europe. ⬇️ To the latest episode https://bit.ly/46XDX5k

14/ @cinziabianco.bsky.social on the reputational damage of this war, for @euronews.com: “This is Dubai’s ultimate nightmare, as its very essence depended on being a safe oasis in a troubled region. There might be a way to be resilient, but there is no going back.” www.euronews.com/travel/2026/...

Iran's recent attacks have shaken the Gulf states to their core and the monarchies in the region are at crossroads. How far will they go to protect their interests against Iran? Listen to our Visiting Fellow, @cinziabianco.bsky.social to learn more and check out our latest commentary on ecfr.eu.

Analysis by @jbdacey.bsky.social, Ellie Geranmayeh, @hlovatt.bsky.social, @cinziabianco.bsky.social, Majda Ruge, @asliaydintasbas.bsky.social, @jkobzova.bsky.social & @ajwsmall.bsky.social 👇️ ecfr.eu/article/a-wa...

🎧 In the WOMENP podcast, @cinziabianco.bsky.social, Yasmeen Al-Eryani and Maysaa Shuja al-Deen unpack what the current developments in Yemen mean for its fragile political trajectory and wider regional security, and their key implications for Europe. ⬇️ To the latest episode https://bit.ly/46XDX5k

Huge group effort from European Council on Foreign Relations to view the war from Iran, US, Israel, Gulf monarchies, Russia, China,and the wider regional impact. Below a snippet from my section on the Gulf This is an analysis you don’t want to miss: ecfr.eu/article/a-wa...

3/ Listen to @ecfr.eu's emergency podcast: @cinziabianco.bsky.social, Ellie Geranmayeh and @jyshapiro.bsky.social discuss Trump’s war aims, the potential for transformation of Iran's political system, and how Arab Gulf states react as they find themselves on the front line? ecfr.eu/podcasts/epi...

@cinziabianco.bsky.social ‘Amazon temporarily shuts down its data center in UAE after being hit. The UAE strongly believes in AI and badly wants to host AI data centers, which are rare and extremely costly to build. This escalation is problematic in that way, too.’

“There was nothing that they valued more than that perception of safety — and they prided themselves on maneuvering politically and hedging to be basically on the good books of everyone.” @cinziabianco.bsky.social on the Gulf’s shattered image as a safe haven: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/01/w...

4/In the latest @ecfr.eu WOMENP podcast episode, @cinziabianco.bsky.social speaks to Yasmeen al-Eryani and Maysaa Shujaa Aldeen about Yemen as the latest battlefield for UAE-Saudi rivalry, and what the next stage of US-Iran escalation could mean for the Houthis 👇 buff.ly/KCY9fCg

🎙️ In the latest @ecfr.eu WOMENP podcast episode, @cinziabianco.bsky.social speaks to Yasmeen al-Eryani and Maysaa Shujaa Aldeen about Yemen as the latest battlefield for UAE-Saudi rivalry, and what the next stage of US-Iran escalation could mean for the Houthis 👇 buff.ly/KCY9fCg

🎧 In this episode of the WOMENP podcast series, @cinziabianco.bsky.social welcomes Yasmeen Al-Eryani and Maysaa Shuja al-Deen to unpack the recent developments around Yemen and what they mean for Europe. @ecfrmena.bsky.social ⬇️Listen to the latest episode now: https://bit.ly/46XDX5k

My view is that, if you tune out the noise, geopolitically the UAE is waiting out Saudi Arabia, especially in East Africa, hoping fatigue will take over, and that they will lose focus, given how many balls they have in the air, both regionally and domestically.

✍️ A brief momentum for a Gulf front collapsed as strained Saudi-Emirati relations gave way to open rivalry, driven by mistrust and suspicions of parallel agendas. @cinziabianco.bsky.social for @ecfr.eu on the Saudi–UAE rupture and the European angle 👇 buff.ly/TUk8Evm

It took me years and dozens of interviews to write this book with the goal to unpack what is really at the core of Gulf states’ behavior/thinking anyday. Now it’s yours. OUT TODAY in very affordable format (offer ends in 10 days!) for @manchesterup.bsky.social Info & buy: tinyurl.com/mph2dp6u

The years-long Saudi-Emirati divergence has erupted under the pressure of rapidly shifting geopolitical conditions. Europeans need to remain alert to this constantly changing environment, while being flexible enough to adapt, writes @cinziabianco.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/from...

Analysis from @cinziabianco.bsky.social on KSA-UAE issues, which refers briefly to AI

Sober analysis from @cinziabianco.bsky.social: the UAE-Saudi rupture has destroyed momentum to develop a “Gulf vision” across the wider region - their strategic alliance has collapsed. From partners to rivals: What the Saudi-UAE rupture means for Europeans : ecfr.eu/article/from...

1/ Read my @ecfrmena.bsky.social analysis of the big Saudi-UAE rupture. Yemen was the spark, as Riyadh really felt the Emiratis were taking them for a ride. But this is much bigger than Yemen. Even bigger than the Red Sea. It is about Israel. 👉 Full piece: ecfr.eu/article/from...

📑 NEW @ecfr.eu commentary by @cinziabianco.bsky.social: Saudi Arabia & UAE are experiencing a fracture in their diplomatic relationship. Europeans need to understand the potential impact on their economic & political interests. Read the piece here 👇 ecfr.eu/article/from...

I am keeping quiet about the events in South Yemen as I am really really not convinced of the dominant mainstream narrative that the UAE turned against Saudi Arabia so brazenly.

Speaking to both Saudi and Emirati friends, striking how they said the same thing: “This is a divorce.” With Iran weakened and after the Israeli strike on Doha there was an opportunity for a Gulf vision for the MENA region. This is now gone. Once again, competition prevailed.

Of course Venezuela being fully under US Influence has implications for oil monarchies of the Gulf! Trump will no longer need Saudi cooperation to control oil prices Riyadh - and others - will have to find other ways to make themselves indispensable

Pero la operación tiene otros efectos para #OrientePróximo. Con el #petróleo venezolano bajo su férula, #Trump ya no necesitará la ayuda de #ArabiaSaudí para controlar el precio del crudo, tal como ha señalado @cinziabianco.bsky.social /y 4

We have been hearing this for decades: can the Middle East steal Europe’s model of economic integration to achieve peace? Join this MENA2050 crucial conversation on Friday! Register here and see you soon: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Iran is literally running out of water - a major emergency. My @ecfrmena.bsky.social paper says how European actors can actively and operationally support effective environmental cooperation between Iran and Gulf Arab states — linking climate adaptation with regional stability: tinyurl.com/3z7v5sey

📰 For Formiche, @cinziabianco.bsky.social comments that Italian PM Melon's invitation to the GCC Summit should be read a strategic gesture from the Gulf aimed at encouraging more Italian involvement in the region 👇 formiche.net/2025/12/il-g...

✍️ The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act could offer a useful framework for Europeans and Gulf partners to work together on AI development, write @cinziabianco.bsky.social & Herman Quarles for @ecfrpower.bsky.social buff.ly/fZmFYEq

✍️ The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act could offer a useful framework for Europeans and Gulf partners to work together, argue @cinziabianco.bsky.social & Herman Quarles for @ECFRPower ecfr.eu/article/trum...

The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act could offer a useful framework for Europeans and Gulf partners to work together, write @cinziabianco.bsky.social and Herman Quarles @ecfrmena.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3MdxkEk

💻 Il regolamento UE sull’IA può diventare un ponte tra Europa e partner del Golfo, aprendo nuove opportunità di collaborazione ✍️ @cinziabianco.bsky.social e Herman Quarles x @ecfrmena.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social

[Commentary] #AI - #Trump’s AI thaw: How #Europe and the #Gulf can protect against #American and #Chinese tech pressure, by @cinziabianco.bsky.social & Herman Quarles van Ufford | @ecfr.eu www.pubaffairsbruxelles.eu/opinion-anal...

🌎 I recenti cambiamenti nella politica USA hanno riallineato Washington e gli Stati del Golfo sull’IA. Una finestra strategica si apre ora per l’Europa: saprà coglierla? ✍️ @cinziabianco.bsky.social e Herman Quarles X @ecfrmena.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social

I have joined forces with our AI expert to see how Europeans can play the AI game in the Gulf - seize opportunities and minimize risks. AI is at the top of everyone’s agenda (as transpired from MbS visit to DC) and it is a very geopolitical as well as technological play! ecfr.eu/article/trum...

The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act could offer a useful framework for Europeans and Gulf partners to work together, write @cinziabianco.bsky.social and Herman Quarles @ecfrmena.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3MdxkEk

🇸🇦 “L’attacco israeliano a Doha ha scompigliato la situazione, accelerando le trattative tra USA e Arabia Saudita su nucleare e IA" Ne ha parlato @cinziabianco.bsky.social, Visiting Fellow di @ecfrmena.bsky.social, a @sole24ore.bsky.social 🎧 Se te lo sei perso:

Se l’UE vuole continuare a invocare il diritto internazionale in Ucraina, Gaza o altrove, non può chiudere gli occhi sulle atrocità in Sudan. ✍️ @willbrownecfr.bsky.social @cinziabianco.bsky.social x @ecfrafrica.bsky.social Leggi l'analisi completa ⬇️

📰 @cinziabianco.bsky.social speaks to La Repubblica about the role Saudi Arabia can play on the global stage in a post-oil era 👇 www.repubblica.it/esteri/2025/...

🧵 Ahead of MbS White House visit, @ecfr.eu's Ellie Geranmayeh, @camillelons.bsky.social & @cinziabianco.bsky.social unpack how 12-day war, backfiring of Iran's nuclear threshold status & Israel's Doha strikes impact Saudi nuclear calculus for @warontherocks.bsky.social

If Europe wants to maintain credibility when invoking international law in Ukraine, Gaza, or elsewhere, it cannot ignore the atrocities happening in Sudan, writes @willbrownecfr.bsky.social and @cinziabianco.bsky.social @ecfrafrica.bsky.social https://bit.ly/47DGv8r

If Europe wants to maintain credibility when invoking international law in Ukraine, Gaza, or elsewhere, it cannot ignore the atrocities happening in Sudan, write @willbrownecfr.bsky.social and @cinziabianco.bsky.social @ecfrafrica.bsky.social https://bit.ly/47DGv8r

‼️El-Fasher in North Darfur is now the epicentre of the world’s greatest humanitarian catastrophe. #Europe’s options are limited, but there are still ways to hold the responsible accountable, argue @willbrownecfr.bsky.social and @cinziabianco.bsky.social. 👇📑 @ecfrmena.bsky.social

Saudi Arabia watching elections in Iraq and eager to work with Iraqi and Kurdish political actors to strengthen ability to absorb external shocks from Iran, Israel, US. Read my short take for MEPSForum. Looking forward to continuing conversation in Iraq next week: www.mepsforum.org/post/riyadh-...

If Europe wants to maintain credibility when invoking international law in Ukraine, Gaza, or elsewhere, it cannot ignore the atrocities happening in Sudan, write @willbrownecfr.bsky.social and @cinziabianco.bsky.social @ecfrasia.bsky.social https://bit.ly/47DGv8r