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
Working with Israeli, Turkish, and US firms, Rabat is also aiming to build its own domestic defence-industrial capacity using its expertise in aerospace manufacturing
Netanyahu continues to defy calls from Washington to pump the brakes on Israel's offensive in Lebanon, something Iran has linked to a future peace deal
For Addis Ababa, using Djibouti's port for trade is not enough; it wants its own sovereign access to international waters. However, this first needs the consent of suspicious neighbours.
An Israeli diplomat recently told Lebanese Shiites that Israel did not see them as the enemy, but it is a difficult argument to make given the death and destruction. Is there a better way?