Security

Saudi leaders are seeking bilateral deals that advance the Saudi-U.S. relationship without the need for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

When the Saudi crown prince meets President Trump in Washington, the main topics of discussion are likely to be commercial deals, a defense pact, a Saudi civilian nuclear program, and normalization with Israel.

The Houthis appear to be following a North Korean playbook, using recurring cycles of provocation to extract concessions, forcing Saudi Arabia to carefully calculate its security ties.

The Houthis will likely use the deal in Gaza as an opportunity to regroup while looking to continue the fight in the future.

Iran’s first naval exercise since the June conflict with Israel was meant to project strength and ability to threaten the regional interests of Gulf states while avoiding military confrontation with the United States and Israel.

On October 20, AGSI hosted a discussion on Saudi-Pakistani defense ties.

Iran has moved quickly to try to capitalize on cracks in U.S.-Gulf relations after Israel’s unprecedented attack on Hamas officials in Qatar.

Gulf states need to prioritize enhanced regional defense cooperation with an expanded group of potential partners, consider using the financial leverage of sovereign wealth funds’ action, and ramp up diplomatic pressure to deter such attacks in the future.