The Gulf Region

"“We’re in a three-way Mexican stand-off with three big players in the room all saying, ‘if you screw that guy over there, you are screwing me over, so I’m going to screw you over,’” said Michael Stephens, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. “It’s a strange triangular discussion from which no side wants to back down and all are going to feel the pain.” "

Saudi oil war: ‘The beauty is you can blame it on the Russians’

Iran’s First Response to Soleimani’s Death, and Tehran’s Future Moves

Michael Stephens

For the first time since the late 1970s, Iran has hit directly at US military targets, and fully admitted its responsibility. But the real imponderable is Iran’s behaviour in the Gulf in the months to come

"Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute, told the BBC the photos "probably prove" the tanker was attacked, but it was not clear what with. "

Gulf tanker attacks: Iran releases photos of 'attacked' ship

Saudi Arabia Under Attack

Michael Stephens

The attacks on oil installations in Saudi Arabia are grim reminders of Iran’s challenge to the entire Middle East, and the paucity of US options.

"“If he [the prince] does meet people it will have to be on the sidelines,” said Michael Stephens, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. "

Will leaders shake his hand?

"“MBS needs to shore up regional support following an extremely difficult period, in which both his and the kingdom’s prestige and power have taken a serious blow,” said Michael Stephens, London-based RUSI research fellow for Middle East Studies. “It will no doubt be the first step in a series of measures to reassert his position on the world stage as a leader." "

Saudi Prince Visits Allies in First Trip Since Khashoggi Murder