Iran’s latest attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain are not exactly a new phenomenon. Sporadic confrontation between Tehran and parts of the Gulf has taken place for decades in different forms—from attacks on vital infrastructure to activating cells linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
But are Iran’s latest attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain tied to military calculations related to the current US-Iran war, or do they reflect a deeper struggle between two opposing regional visions?
We chose the topic as this week’s cover story, against the backdrop of military escalation between Israel and the US against Iran. We delve into the broader history of tensions and their drivers, as well as make the case for a more united Gulf approach in the face of these two clashing visions. One sees development, prosperity, and openness as sources of power, while the other leans into military might and confrontation.
Read more
1. The Gulf and Iran: two models that seem irreconcilable by Nawaf al-Yassin
2. Iran's new security doctrine and its old dilemma by Alex Vatanka
3. How Israel and Iran came back to the brink by Michael Horowitz
