Blog Post
May 13, 2026
A New Mediator: Can Pakistan Help the U.S. and Iran Cut a Deal?
After Oman-facilitated negotiations between the United States and Iran ended in a major regional conflict, Pakistan has picked up the mantle of mediator and helped broker a cease-fire, but can the country succeed at mediating a lasting peace deal?
May 12, 2026
India Faces New Limits in a Divided Middle East
India’s long-standing strategy of engaging all sides is under strain as regional conflicts become more interconnected and harder to manage.
May 11, 2026
The PIF’s 2026-30 Strategy Emerges Amid Heightened Regional Tensions, Uncertainty
The PIF’s latest strategy contains some portfolio restructuring but mostly familiar elements – and future adjustments are expected.
May 7, 2026
Resilient by Design: Infrastructure and the Future of UAE Urbanism
Rather than pursuing the next iconic tower or artificial island, the UAE’s urban development model is shifting toward systems that are less visible but more essential.
May 6, 2026
Downstream Ambitions: Saudi Arabia’s Move Toward Rare Earth Processing
Newly announced joint ventures to build rare earth refineries in Saudi Arabia are part of a larger strategy to capitalize on Western markets’ need for rare earth elements.
May 5, 2026
Can NATO Repeat Operation Ocean Shield?
NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield helped secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, but diplomatic fractures and naval constraints mean its success is unlikely to be repeated in the Strait of Hormuz.
May 5, 2026
The Second Phase of the UAE Space Economy
As the UAE navigates a more volatile regional environment, the next phase of its space effort will hinge on how quickly it can scale its commercial ecosystem and deepen international integration.
May 4, 2026
The Gulf’s AI Strategy Needs Resiliency
With the Iran war, large AI projects now sit inside a regional battlespace. The next phase of Gulf AI strategy will need to focus on resilience, continuity, and trusted infrastructure, not only capital and scale.