Just hours after Pakistan announced a two-week ceasefire and the world breathed a sigh of relief, Israel rained bombs and bloodshed on Lebanon, carrying out over 100 strikes in 10 minutes
Against the backdrop of the US-Iran war and its regional fallout, many Syrians are hoping that it won't turn out to be just a slogan but an approach that Damascus intends to see through.
Iran's vision promises chaos; the Gulf vision promises stability. Going forward, the choices made by states and non-state actors will be highly consequential.
The release of the 86 detainees is, without doubt, welcome news for their families. But the legally questionable means used to secure the exchange should not be overlooked.
Legislation to fund the American military and intelligence services will include requirements that Israeli defence firms be involved in sensitive projects and that classified information be shared
Even if diplomatic progress continues, the Strait could be closed again. As a result, the geopolitical risk premium attached to Gulf energy exports is unlikely to disappear entirely.