Competition between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi over influence in the Yemeni governorate could lead to conflict between the two sides or their proxies, which risks provoking dangerous fragmentation.
To compete with China, the United States must walk a tightrope in the Gulf.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are both autocratic energy titans, collectively controlling nearly a third of the world’s oil reserves and a fifth of its natural gas. Yet they are led by starkly different men with profoundly different plans.
In an interview, Jennifer Kavanagh and Fred Wehrey explain why they have argued publicly against this U.S. objective.
Washington has long struggled to find a balance in its relationship with Riyadh
Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE have determined that their national security goes beyond their physical borders. It is just as important to shield their airspace, territorial waters, and even maritime trade routes.
Bashar al-Assad’s regime has used the drug partly as a means of ensuring that Syria is reintegrated into the Arab world, allowing its leadership to reinforce its position after years of isolation and conflict.
