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Peace dividend?

A FEW days ago, Saudi negotiators conceded most of the short-term demands of their Houthi interlocutors in Sana’a, setting the scene for the potential resolution of a conflict that has…

‘Noli me tangere’

THE term ‘untouchable’ has a different connotation in each culture and religion. To Christians, the words noli me tangere are attributed to Jesus Christ who, after his resurrection, deterred his…

Fill in the blanks

A REPRESSIVE regime organises a managed election. It is taken aback when the polling stations stay empty. Then, at exactly 4pm, voters pour out of their homes. Voting times are…

A game changer?

THE Middle East’s security landscape could be transformed by an unanticipated development that took place earlier this month. Long-standing regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore bilateral relations after seven…

Shifting Middle Eastern sands

THE unexpected thaw between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a major diplomatic triumph for China. In a rapprochement mediated by Beijing, the two archrivals, which had been engaged in a bitter…

The three stooges

EARLY yesterday, Australian time, three heads of government could be seen on TV screens, lined up behind podiums on the San Diego coastline: the US president flanked by the prime…

Reckless actions

BARELY a day after the prospect arose of a Russian-US leaders’ summit to thrash out their differences over security arrangements in Europe and the Ukraine situation in particular, Vladimir Putin…

The road ahead

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, is an ambitious global development strategy aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and economic growth. Among its various projects, the…

The summit and expectations

THE Shanghai Cooperation Organi­sation (SCO) summit is being held this week in Samarkand against the backdrop of a geopolitical upheaval challenging the world order. It will be the first in-person…

Quiet diplomacy

IN a remarkable display of quiet diplomacy, Saudi Arabia and Iran have announced their intentions of normalising bilateral relations. China, which had lately taken steps to deepen its political and economic ties…