Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's president, shapes forward-looking Gulf policy as security broker, economic reformer and regional power.
Haaretz has published book extracts saying UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Hamas planned a major operation; Haaretz says Netanyahu reacted calmly and did not share the warning with security chiefs. Netanyahu has denied the call and has ordered a libel suit; Haaretz has stood by its reporting. Today is Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:04:38 +0100.
President Donald Trump has intervened to stop a major Israeli strike on Iran and has publicly rebuked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for continuing heavy operations in Lebanon. The intervention has strained a once-close US–Israeli relationship and has complicated US-led negotiations for a ceasefire and a limited nuclear agreement with Tehran. Tensions have erupted during talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ahead of Israeli elections.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
Rival Fatah factions and allied Palestinian groups are engaging in talks ahead of November legislative elections. Meetings in Egypt and in the Alamein region aim to bridge rifts within Fatah and coordinate broader opposition to the PA leadership, including potential cooperation with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Dahlan’s Reform Current. The developments come as Abbas’s circle seeks to present a united front while preparing for a contested election landscape.
Qatar has pressed for unimpeded Hormuz shipping and is coordinating with China as regional diplomacy intensifies. Doha says reopening the Strait must be unconditional, while mediation efforts continue amid stalled US-Iran talks and renewed attacks.
Algeria has severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, saying it has "exhausted all means" after what it called "provocative and hostile actions." The UAE ambassador has been given 48 hours to leave. Abu Dhabi's diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, has responded on X, defending diplomatic clarity and rejecting opaque signalling.