Far from the solidity of a unipolar or bipolar world, the region is awash with medium and large powers all vying for their interests, with several unstable states in which to do so. Is there hope?
The US knows that Gulf states have more options in a multipolar world and it accepts their building economic relations with a dynamic China. But it also has a limit. Al Majalla explains.
Cooperation between Turkey and Gulf countries will place the region in a much better position to confront challenges and stand up to foreign interference
Its strategic location at the entrance to the Bab al-Mandab Strait has incentivised various countries to establish military bases in the small African nation
The strait carries up to 20% of the world's oil exports at around 20 million barrels of oil each day. Any closure could cost the global economy greatly, even if only for a short time.
De-escalation is in the overwhelming interest of most countries in the region and the world, and we could see many extend a hand to help bring the conflict to an end
Trump and Netanyahu disagree on whether to use military force to stop Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel's punishing attack on Iran places the region on a worrisome trajectory