Fans of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have made their way across the Atlantic to cheer on their teams

As the walls seem to be closing in the UK premier's grip on power, these men are promising change

A relatively new government working to secure its own territory is poorly positioned to open a new front outside its borders, be it Lebanon or Iraq

Differing priorities, values, and interpretations have led to a trust deficiency on both sides of the Gulf for decades, but the US war on Iran brought those festering issues to the fore

From Hitler and Mussolini to South American dictators, world leaders have long seen in football's biggest tournament an opportunity to further an agenda

From its hosting of US naval forces to its accession to the Abraham Accords, there are many reasons why Iran sees Manama as a justifiable target, but the shared animosity dates back decades

While it could be tied to military calculations related to the current US-Iran war, it also reflects a deeper struggle between two opposing regional visions

Tehran prioritises foreign power and influence, whereas the Gulf states prioritise economic development and stability. The presence of foreign bases in the Gulf is just an excuse.

Tehran has emerged from the US-Iran war more willing to take risks, less constrained by fears of escalation, and more convinced military pressure can yield results

China understands that North Korea is no longer the besieged ally with no gateway other than Beijing, and that leaving the field entirely open to Russia carries a mounting strategic cost