Much is made of links between Beijing and Tehran, but the true extent of their relations is more limited. Where there are alternatives, China takes them, with one eye on the US.

Deterring Iran and bolstering regional security will be the obvious and immediate goal of a US-Saudi defence treaty

Whenever Israel's devastating war in Gaza concludes or drastically subsides, Saudi Arabia will be eager to restart the US-led process of signing a strategic bilateral defence pact

Ahead of a possible US-Saudi defence agreement, it is worth remembering Roosevelt reassured the Saudi king over Palestine, only for Truman to renege on it two years later.

The enormous potential for military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States

The Saudis have outlined their conditions for a true and binding pact. Such a pact is highly unlikely, not least because of the current US political atmosphere and the issue of US-Saudi mistrust.

After the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel, Biden now recognises the need to contain Iran and prevent it from causing more unrest in the region

Submarine cables play a pivotal role in the global digital infrastructure, facilitating the transmission of internet data, communications, and artificial intelligence across an extensive network of…

From casual chats to commercial trades and confidential information, the transport and targeting of data under the Red Sea is a major issue. Can the Houthis cripple the world's communications?

The EU naval mission will help provide security for shipping in the Red Sea but will not partake in air strikes on Houthis in Yemen, who vow to stop attacks when Israel ends its war on Gaza