Erratic Diplomacy, Market Manipulation, and Fabricated Narratives Are Eroding US Credibility in the Gulf

Erratic Diplomacy, Market Manipulation, and Fabricated Narratives Are Eroding US Credibility in the Gulf

    Sunday, August 02, 2026   No comments

The global reputation of the United States is facing a pronounced decline, driven by growing international skepticism toward statements emanating from the White House. Nowhere is this erosion of trust more palpable than in the Middle East, where a recurring pattern of perceived market manipulation and diplomatic fabrication has left traditional allies deeply uneasy. At the center of this storm is a cycle of escalating threats and abrupt cancellations regarding Iran, revealing a troubling absence of coherent strategic direction.

The mechanism of this volatility has become increasingly predictable. Recently, US officials deliberately released information indicating that the United States was preparing to launch a wide-scale attack on Iran’s power and energy infrastructure. Such leaks inevitably trigger immediate spikes in global oil prices and financial market volatility. However, just before the opening of major trading markets, the narrative abruptly shifts. The President takes to social media to announce the cancellation of the attacks, often justifying the reversal with unsubstantiated claims of sudden diplomatic progress.

The absurdity of this pattern reached a new peak with a recent Truth Social post by President Trump, in which he claimed the cancellation was a direct result of Iranian capitulation. Trump wrote:

"The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Based on this request, I have agreed... to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL."

This narrative was swiftly and categorically dismantled by reality. Iranian officials explicitly denied the claim, stating plainly that Iran had made no such request for the US to halt an attack. The notion that a nation under threat of unprecedented military action would simultaneously beg for its cancellation while magically conceding to the total opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the abandonment of its nuclear program stretches credulity to its breaking point. It exposed the claim not as a diplomatic breakthrough, but as a convenient fiction designed to mask a pre-determined market manipulation.

Attempting to bolster this fabricated narrative, the administration further claimed that regional leaders had jointly requested the de-escalation, highlighting a phone call between President Trump and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. However, this portrayal was also contradicted by the very allies the administration claimed to be heeding. Saudi media outlets, including Asharq Al-Awsat, reported that the phone call between the Crown Prince and the President actually occurred after Trump had already made the decision to postpone the strike. As the report explicitly noted, "The call comes after Trump announced the postponement of a military strike that was scheduled against Iran" ("ويأتي الاتصال بعد إعلان ترمب تأجيل ضربة عسكرية كانت مقررة ضد إيران").

This chronological discrepancy exposes the administration’s narrative as a retroactive justification designed to manufacture a diplomatic victory out of thin air.

For geopolitical analysts and regional observers, this incident is not an isolated anomaly; it is part of a deeply entrenched pattern. It has led many to conclude that there is no overarching, long-term strategy guiding the US leader’s foreign policy—only impulsive reactions. This "reaction-only" approach, coupled with the invention of fictional diplomatic pleas from adversaries, is generating profound anxiety among US Gulf allies.

The stakes for these nations are existential. Gulf states, whose extraction-based economies are already facing severe structural stress and the looming threat of total collapse, are being drawn into a "war of choice." Yet, there is no quick fix or viable exit strategy for what is rapidly turning into a strategic failure. The nervousness in regional capitals is palpable; allies are being asked to bear the geopolitical and economic brunt of a policy that appears to be improvised daily, driven by financial market optics and domestic political posturing rather than genuine regional stability.

Ultimately, the cumulative effect of fabricating narratives, leveraging geopolitical tensions to manipulate oil and financial markets, and inventing diplomatic concessions from adversaries is a severe degradation of American credibility. When a global superpower is perceived as manufacturing crises to control market openings, only to walk them back with retroactive, easily debunked claims, its alliances inevitably fracture. For the Gulf states, the message is becoming increasingly clear: the US security umbrella is growing dangerously unpredictable, forcing regional actors to question the viability of relying on a partner whose actions are dictated by reaction and fabrication rather than reason and strategy.

A Decade of Transformation: Al-Julani's Public Debut and the Geopolitical Chess Game in Syria

A Decade of Transformation: Al-Julani's Public Debut and the Geopolitical Chess Game in Syria

    Wednesday, July 29, 2026   No comments

Ten years ago today, a masked militant leader removed his veil before the world, signaling not just a rebranding but a revealing chapter in the complex theater of proxy warfare.

July 30, 2026 — On this day in 2016, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, then the emir of Jabhat al-Nusra, Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, sat before an Aljazeera camera and publicly revealed his face for the first time. Flanked by two other figures, dressed in military fatigues with a white turban, he read from a statement that would reshape the Syrian conflict's trajectory: the severance of formal ties with Al-Qaeda and the birth of "Jabhat Fath al-Sham" (The Front for the Conquest of Syria).

In the carefully staged video, broadcast exclusively by Qatar's Aljazeera, al-Julani—now known as Ahmad al-Sharaa and the self-decalred leader of Syria's transitional government—thanked Al-Qaeda's leadership, including Ayman al-Zawahiri, for their "noble stance" in prioritizing "the interests of the people of Al-Sham, their Jihad, their revolution."

He quoted Osama bin Laden: "The interests of the Ummah take precedence over the interest of any state; the interests of the state take precedence over the interest of any Jama'ah (group); the interests of the Jama'ah take precedence over any individual."

Then came the announcement: "For the aforementioned reasons, we declare the complete cancellation of all operations under the name of Jabhat Al-Nusra, and the formation of a new group operating under the name 'Jabhat Fath Al-Sham,' noting that this new organisation has no affiliation to any external entity."

The statement outlined five goals:

Establishing Sharia law and justice

• Unifying mujahideen ranks to liberate Syria from Bashar al-Assad
• Protecting jihad in Syria
• Serving Muslims' daily needs
• Ensuring security and stability for the masses

The Afghan Template Revisited

This moment, a decade ago, reveals a pattern as old as the modern jihad movement itself. The theatrical severing of ties, the rebranding, the public unveiling—these were not signs of ideological moderation but of strategic adaptation within a framework that has served various geopolitical interests since the 1980s.

During the Soviet-Afghan War, the United States, through Pakistan's ISI and Saudi Arabia, funneled billions to mujahideen fighters, including those who would later form Al-Qaeda. The strategy was clear: use religiously motivated fighters as a proxy force against a geopolitical rival. When the Soviets withdrew in 1989, the infrastructure of jihad remained, as did the networks, the ideology, and the operatives.

What we witnessed in Syria, and particularly in al-Julani's 2016 announcement, was the refinement of this model. By 2016, the Syrian conflict had become the new Afghanistan—a proxy battlefield where regional and global powers could fight without direct confrontation. Russia had intervened in 2015 to prop up Assad. The United States was backing various opposition groups while simultaneously fighting ISIS. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran were all pursuing their own agendas.

The Convenience of "Moderate" Extremism

Al-Julani's statement emphasized that the new organization would have "no affiliation to any external entity"—a claim that strained credibility given the complex web of support flowing through Turkey and other channels. Yet this rebranding served multiple masters:

For al-Julani and his fighters, it provided operational flexibility, allowing them to receive support from actors who couldn't openly back an Al-Qaeda affiliate. It enabled participation in political processes and potential negotiations.

For regional powers, particularly Turkey and Gulf states, it created a deniable proxy—a group that could fight Assad and Kurdish forces while maintaining plausible distance from Al-Qaeda's global terrorism brand.

For the United States and its allies, it fit a familiar pattern: the "good jihadist" versus "bad jihadist" dichotomy that had proven so useful in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Libya. While officially designating Al-Nusra as a terrorist organization, the reality on the ground was more nuanced, with the group often fighting against ISIS and Assad—enemies shared with the West.

The Strategic Assimilation

The video's content reveals the ideological continuity beneath the organizational change. Al-Julani quoted bin Laden's hierarchical framework of interests, demonstrating that the strategic thinking remained intact even as the organizational chart changed. The goal of establishing Sharia law, unifying mujahideen, and liberating Syria remained constant.

What changed was the packaging—and that was the point. The transformation from Al-Nusra to Jabhat Fath al-Sham (and later to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) demonstrated how jihadist groups could evolve tactically while maintaining strategic objectives. This adaptability made them more useful to various geopolitical actors pursuing their own interests in Syria.

The fact that this announcement was broadcast on Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-funded network, was itself significant. Qatar, a U.S. ally hosting America's largest Middle East military base at Al Udeid, was providing a platform for a former Al-Qaeda leader to announce his group's rebranding—highlighting the complex, often contradictory nature of Middle East geopolitics.

A Decade Later: From Jihadist to Statesman

The ultimate irony of this anniversary is where al-Julani stands today. Now governing Syria as Ahmad al-Sharaa, wearing suits instead of fatigues, meeting with world leaders, and leading a transitional government, he has completed the transformation that began with that 2016 announcement.

This trajectory—from masked jihadist to public political leader—validates the strategic thinking outlined in that video. By severing the formal Al-Qaeda link, maintaining operational capability, and positioning himself as a defender of Syrian interests against both Assad and foreign powers, al-Julani navigated the conflict to emerge as Syria's de facto leader.

The Enduring Pattern

Ten years on, al-Julani's public debut reminds us that the use of jihadist groups as geopolitical tools didn't end with the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. It evolved. The Syrian conflict demonstrated that even groups with global terrorist ambitions could be assimilated into regional power struggles, serving interests that extended far beyond their ideological goals.

The United States, which once armed the mujahideen against the Soviets, found itself in Syria in the uncomfortable position of tacitly benefiting from the efforts of groups it officially designated as terrorists, when those groups fought against ISIS and Assad—enemies aligned against U.S. interests.

This is not to suggest a conspiracy, but rather to acknowledge a recurring pattern: in the chaos of proxy warfare, ideological enemies can become tactical allies, and today's terrorist can become tomorrow's negotiating partner. The 2016 announcement wasn't a break from Al-Qaeda's strategy—it was the fulfillment of it, demonstrating the movement's ability to adapt, survive, and ultimately thrive within the international system it claims to reject.

As Syria attempts to rebuild under al-Sharaa's leadership, this anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of proxy warfare and the long shadows cast by geopolitical expediency. The man who once quoted bin Laden now sits in presidential palaces, and the world must decide whether to engage with him—a testament to the complex, morally ambiguous reality of modern geopolitics.

Media Review, Media Bias: War and Language

Media Review, Media Bias: War and Language

    Sunday, July 19, 2026   No comments

How Arab State Media Narrate Conflict and Risk Their Own Survival

In the theater of modern warfare, language is a weapon of geopolitical alignment. Since the Arab Spring of 2011, state-controlled and state-aligned media across the Arab world have increasingly functioned as extensions of foreign policy. By carefully curating their lexicons, these outlets signal bias, legitimize certain military actions, and delegitimize others. Today, as the region grapples with the fallout of the US and Israeli war on Iran, the selective outrage embedded in Gulf media narratives is not only distorting reality but also planting the seeds of domestic instability.

The blueprint for this linguistic weaponization was clearly established during the Yemen conflict and the subsequent 2017 Gulf diplomatic crisis. When the Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen, a stark divergence in media framing emerged. Saudi-aligned outlets consistently employed highly charged, valorizing terminology: Saudi casualties were exclusively referred to as "شهداء" (martyrs), while Yemeni casualties were described as "أشخاص قُتلوا على يد القوات السعودية العادلة" (persons killed by the righteous Saudi forces).

In contrast, Aljazeera, based in Qatar, adopted a more neutral, journalistic lexicon, consistently using the word "قتلى" (killed) for casualties on all sides. This seemingly minor semantic difference carried immense political weight. It challenged the moral absolutism of the Saudi narrative. The threat this posed to Riyadh’s geopolitical project was so profound that, in 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies issued a list of demands to Qatar to end the blockade, prominently featuring the immediate and permanent shutdown of Al Jazeera. That demand, as history has shown, went nowhere, but it established a lasting precedent: in the eyes of certain Arab states, neutral language is an act of political defiance.

This pattern has reached a dangerous apex in the current US and Israeli war on Iran, a campaign executed and supported by US troops stationed in Gulf States and Jordan. A review of recent headlines from Saudi-aligned and Gulf-centric media outlets, such as Asharq Al-Awsat, reveals a meticulously crafted narrative of selective outrage.

When reporting on Iranian military actions, these outlets deploy a lexicon of moral condemnation. Recent headlines from July 2026 describe Iranian actions as:

• "العدوان الإيراني الآثم" (The sinful Iranian aggression)
• "اعتداءات إيرانية جديدة" (New Iranian assaults)
• "نهج عدواني ممنهج" (A systematic hostile approach)
• "اعتداءاتها الجوية الإيرانية الغادرة" (Treacherous Iranian air assaults)

These phrases are designed to frame Iran as a rogue actor violating international law and threatening Arab sovereignty. However, when these same media outlets report on US and Israeli military actions against Iranian territory, the vocabulary shifts dramatically. US and Israeli bombardments are routinely sanitized as "غارات" (strikes) or "هجمات" (attacks). The word "عدوان" (aggression) is conspicuously absent.

This linguistic sanitization serves a clear political purpose: to normalize the presence of US military forces in the region and to frame the US-Israeli campaign as a legitimate, defensive, or corrective measure, rather than what international legal experts have identified it to be.

The Gulf media narrative stands in direct contradiction to the consensus of the international legal community. The war on Iran has been widely documented as lacking proper legal authority and factual justification.

In March 2026, UN Human Rights experts issued a stark press release, explicitly denouncing the US and Israeli military assaults on Iran and Lebanon as "flagrant violations of international law" and unequivocally labeling them an "act of aggression." The experts warned that the unprovoked attacks, carried out while negotiations were ongoing, constitute a dangerous precedent of impunity.

Furthermore, a landmark letter published by Just Security, signed by over 100 prominent US-based international law experts and professors, condemned the US role in the conflict. The letter detailed how the initiation of the campaign was a "clear violation of the United Nations Charter" (jus ad bellum), as it lacked Security Council authorization and was not an act of self-defense against an imminent threat. The experts also raised alarms over jus in bello violations, citing strikes on civilian infrastructure, including schools and energy facilities, and condemned dangerous rhetoric from US officials dismissing the rules of engagement as "stupid."

While UN experts and legal scholars universally apply the term "aggression" to the US-Israeli campaign, Gulf state media remain silent on this legal reality, choosing instead to act as a linguistic shield for their powerful allies.

The Domestic Boomerang: When Populations Stop Listening

This deliberate cognitive dissonance carries severe domestic risks. The Arab landscape has changed dramatically since 2011. Populations are no longer captive audiences to state-controlled media. With widespread access to satellite television, social media, and independent digital journalism, citizens can easily compare the hyperbolic condemnation of Iran with the sanitized coverage of US actions.

This selective outrage is eroding the credibility of state institutions. Nowhere is this more acute than in Jordan. The Hashemite Kingdom has found itself in a precarious position, hosting US troops and participating in air defense efforts against Iranian projectiles, such as the recent rocket attacks on the Muwaffaq al-Salti airbase. While the Jordanian government frames its actions as defensive sovereignty, a significant majority of the Jordanian public views this blind support for a foreign-led military campaign as fundamentally misaligned with national interests.

By aligning its media narrative and military posture with a war that is widely perceived as illegal and unjust, the Jordanian government is risking severe domestic backlash. The potential for public uprising is no longer a fringe theory; it is a tangible consequence of a populace that feels its government is sacrificing its well-being for geopolitical patrons who do not reciprocate the loyalty.

The Ultimate Strategic Blunder

Language matters, especially during times of war. Words shape perception, and perception dictates political legitimacy. The Gulf states and Jordan, by weaponizing language to show selective outrage, are engaging in a dangerous gamble. They risk losing what is left of their standing among their own people, who are increasingly adept at seeing through the propaganda.

There is a profound, tragic irony at the heart of this conflict. The US and Israeli war on Iran was explicitly designed, in part, to foment regime change in Tehran. Yet, by acting as complicit enablers—both militarily and linguistically—the supporting Arab states are exposing their own populations to the radicalizing effects of war, economic strain, and perceived national humiliation.

When the outcome of this war is not regime change in Iran as now stated by even those who started the war, but rather the destabilization, weakening, or even the fall of regimes in the Gulf and Jordan, it will stand as the biggest strategic blunder in modern Middle Eastern history. The supporters of this war may find that the linguistic and political tools they used to target their adversaries have ultimately written the epitaph of their own rule.

  

How the War on Iran Forged a New, Pragmatic Order in SWANA

How the War on Iran Forged a New, Pragmatic Order in SWANA

    Friday, June 12, 2026   No comments

 The Tectonic Shift

For decades, the geopolitical architecture of Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) was defined by a relatively rigid hierarchy: Washington set the strategic agenda, and regional actors, particularly the Gulf monarchies, aligned their security and economic policies accordingly. Today, that architecture lies in ruins. The catalyst for this collapse is not a gradual erosion of influence, but a sudden, violent rupture: the US-Israeli war on Iran. In the crucible of this conflict, the nations of the SWANA region have not merely reacted; they have fundamentally rewritten the rules of engagement. Nowhere is this dramatic realignment more starkly evident than in the recent revelations of a UAE pivot toward Tehran, followed closely by reports of a clandestine, audacious proposal between Qatar and Iran.

According to recent reporting by The Washington Post, at the onset of the conflict, Qatari officials approached Tehran with a staggering proposition. To safeguard the Ras Laffan Industrial City—the beating heart of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) economy—Doha offered to voluntarily halt its gas production. The strategic logic was as ruthless as it was brilliant: a sudden cessation of Qatari gas exports would send global energy prices skyrocketing, thereby inflicting severe economic pain on Western markets and amplifying domestic pressure on the United States and Israel to abandon the war. In exchange, Qatar demanded only one condition from its nominal adversary: "you are not going to attack us."

This reported "secret deal" is a masterclass in survivalist realpolitik. It demonstrates that Gulf states are no longer willing to serve as passive collateral damage in Washington’s ideological or strategic crusades. Instead, they are actively weaponizing their own economic leverage to manipulate global markets and force a geopolitical outcome that serves their national interests. Qatar’s message to Iran was unequivocal: You will achieve your objectives without striking us. It was a declaration of functional neutrality, prioritizing regime survival and economic continuity over unconditional alliance with the West.

This Qatari gambit does not exist in a vacuum; it is the second major tremor in a region undergoing a profound seismic shift. It follows closely on the heels of the United Arab Emirates’ calculated pivot toward Iran. For years, the UAE was the cornerstone of the US-led anti-Iran coalition in the Gulf. Yet, faced with the existential risks of a protracted, high-intensity war on its doorstep, Abu Dhabi recognized that unwavering alignment with Washington offered more peril than promise. By opening channels with Tehran, the UAE signaled to the region that the era of automatic alignment is over. The new doctrine is multi-alignment: maintaining working relationships with all powers, but ultimately answering to the imperative of national preservation.

The implications of this SWANA realignment are staggering. First, it exposes the limits of American hegemony. The United States can no longer assume that its regional partners will automatically absorb the shocks of its foreign policy decisions. When pushed to the brink, Gulf states possess the agency, the resources, and the diplomatic channels to circumvent Washington entirely.

Second, the Qatari proposal highlights a terrifying new vulnerability for the West: the weaponization of energy interdependence. Europe and Asia rely heavily on Gulf energy exports. The mere threat of a coordinated Gulf production halt to force a ceasefire reveals that the region’s resource-rich states hold a trump card that can override Western military objectives. The fact that intelligence officials suggest a "tacit understanding" may have temporarily held between Doha and Tehran indicates that this is not just theoretical diplomacy, but an active, shadow negotiation shaping the battlefield.

Ultimately, the war on Iran was likely intended to reassert dominance and neutralize a regional adversary. Instead, it has accelerated the very multipolarity it sought to prevent. The nations of SWANA are no longer mere chess pieces on a board controlled by external powers. They have become sovereign, pragmatic actors making ruthless, high-stakes calculations. The secret dealings between Qatar and Iran, alongside the UAE’s strategic hedging, are not anomalies; they are the blueprint for the new Middle East. In this new era, survival belongs not to the most loyal ally, but to the most adaptable strategist.

How Gulf Resource Wealth Fuels Ambition—and Vulnerability

How Gulf Resource Wealth Fuels Ambition—and Vulnerability

    Friday, March 27, 2026   No comments

 Glass Houses in the Desert

In the geopolitics of the Middle East, few phenomena are as striking as the outsized influence wielded by two small Gulf states: Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Both nations have leveraged immense wealth derived from the rapid extraction of finite natural resources to project power far beyond their borders. As regional tensions escalate, the very strategies that elevated them are exposing profound vulnerabilities. Their glass towers of influence, built on sand and hydrocarbons, are proving fragile when the desert winds of conflict blow hard.

Qatar's transformation from a modest peninsula emirate into a global diplomatic player rests largely on its vast natural gas reserves. Since the 1990s, Doha has channelled this wealth into a sophisticated strategy of soft power projection, with the Al Jazeera Media Network as its centerpiece. Founded to give Arab audiences a platform free from state-controlled narratives, Al Jazeera quickly became something more: an instrument of Qatari foreign policy, amplifying voices and stories that aligned with Doha's strategic interests.

For decades, the network shaped Arab public opinion, particularly during the Arab Spring, when its coverage of Islamist movements resonated with Qatar's political alignments. But this instrumentalization of media has increasingly drawn scrutiny. In early 2026, Al Jazeera faced a significant credibility test during heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. The channel was accused of sidelining voices supportive of Tehran while platforming analysts who called for targeting Iranian civilians—a stance that sparked widespread criticism across the Arab street.

The controversy forced a visible recalibration. By late March, Al Jazeera began restoring previously muted voices and reducing its focus on Iran-focused content, signaling an attempt to repair its reputation as an impartial platform. Analysts who had made inflammatory remarks defended themselves by claiming their comments were taken out of context, but the episode underscored a broader dilemma: when a media outlet is perceived as an instrument of statecraft rather than journalism, its credibility becomes collateral damage in geopolitical disputes.

As one commentator observed, the contemporary Arab consciousness has moved beyond the era of untouchable icons. For Qatar, the lesson is clear: media influence built on perceived bias can backfire, eroding the very soft power it was meant to generate. When audiences sense that "the opinion and the other opinion" is merely a slogan rather than a principle, trust evaporates—and with it, influence.

Most recent coverage show the trend of selective reporting by aljazeera persists: it shields the Guld states and Qatar rulers.

Noramlly, media organizations bear a fundamental responsibility to provide audiences with complete, contextualized information. When coverage systematically omits facts that conflict with the interests of a network's funders, that responsibility is compromised. Al Jazeera's reporting on former President Trump's recent speech regarding Iran offers a compelling case study in how state-funded media can shape narratives through strategic omission.

According to multiple social media reports and regional coverage, Trump explicitly praised Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE as "excellent" and "incredible" partners during his remarks at the Future Investment Initiative summit in Miami. He reportedly acknowledged their support for U.S. military attack on Iran—a significant geopolitical development given these states' desire to avoid public association with what many international observers deem an illegal war. Al Jazeera Arabic article summarizing the speech highlighted Trump's criticism of NATO allies while making no mention of his gratitude toward Gulf partners. This selective framing is not incidental; it aligns precisely with Qatar's diplomatic interests in maintaining plausible deniability regarding its regional military posture.

This pattern reflects broader structural realities. Al Jazeera receives the vast majority of its budget from the Qatari government, and while the network asserts editorial independence, former correspondents have publicly cited Qatari influence over coverage decisions. Research from independent media watchdogs notes that Al Jazeera's English-language coverage has routinely engaged in narratives that question U.S. strategic motives while promoting perspectives aligned with Doha's foreign policy. When reporting on Gulf-U.S. coordination against Iran, the network faces an inherent conflict: acknowledging overt Gulf support for American military action would undermine Qatar's carefully cultivated image as a neutral mediator.

The consequences extend beyond a single omitted quote. By emphasizing Trump's NATO criticisms while silencing his Gulf acknowledgments, Al Jazeera's coverage subtly reinforces a narrative that isolates Western alliances while normalizing Gulf states' behind-the-scenes military involvement. This serves Doha's foreign policy objectives but deprives audiences of the full picture necessary for informed judgment about regional power dynamics.

Media bias is rarely about fabrication; it is more often about curation—what to include, what to emphasize, and what to omit. In an era of complex geopolitical conflicts, audiences deserve transparency about the interests shaping their news. When state-funded outlets like Al Jazeera omit facts that inconvenience their patrons, they do not merely report the news; they participate in its construction. Recognizing these patterns is not an attack on any single network, but a necessary step toward demanding journalism that serves truth over patronage.

The United Arab Emirates has pursued a different, more militarized path to regional influence. Like Qatar, the UAE's wealth stems from hydrocarbon extraction—but at a pace that raises serious sustainability concerns. The rapid depletion of finite oil and gas reserves, without adequate investment in post-hydrocarbon economies, risks mortgaging the future for present-day ambition.

Abu Dhabi has deployed this wealth to build an extensive network of military and political influence across the Middle East and Africa. The UAE has been deeply involved in conflicts in Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia, often backing proxy forces to advance its strategic interests. In Libya, it provided critical air support and equipment to eastern-based factions. In Sudan, it faces repeated allegations—denied by officials—of arming and funding paramilitary groups accused of atrocities. Sudan has even filed a case against the UAE at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of complicity in grave human rights violations.

These interventions have yielded mixed results. While the UAE has secured strategic footholds, such as ports and military bases, its activism has also generated significant backlash. Traditional Gulf partners have grown uncomfortable with Emirati policies that appear to undermine regional stability. In Yemen, Saudi-backed forces actively curtailed advances by UAE-aligned militias, demonstrating that Gulf partnerships are not immune to friction.

Moreover, when Iran's foreign minister accused Gulf states hosting U.S. forces of covertly encouraging attacks on Iranians, it underscored how entangled these small states have become in great-power conflicts. When Iran launched drone strikes against Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE in early 2026, it highlighted the vulnerability of even the wealthiest Gulf capitals to asymmetric retaliation. Power projection, it turns out, invites counter-pressure.

Glass Houses at the Mercy of Regional Security Fractures

Both Qatar and the UAE have built literal and figurative glass houses—spectacular skylines, global business hubs, and diplomatic networks that project an image of invincibility. These achievements rest on a foundation of regional stability that is increasingly precarious.

Dubai, marketed as the business center of the world, exemplifies this paradox. In early 2026, as tensions with Iran escalated, the emirate faced an unprecedented economic shock: stock markets were suspended, hotel bookings plummeted, and critical port operations halted after missile debris caused fire damage. An estimated tens of billions in wealth that flowed into Dubai in recent years now faced the risk of exodus, with charter jets reportedly sold out as wealthy residents sought safer havens.

The attacks on iconic locations directly challenge the security narrative that attracted global capital. While Dubai's economy is heavily diversified—with oil accounting for a minimal share of GDP—its reputation as a safe, neutral hub depends on perceptions of stability that conflict can quickly erode. When investors weigh risk, glass towers can cast long shadows.

The sustainability question extends beyond economics. Gulf states' rapid extraction of oil and gas, without sufficient investment in renewable alternatives or economic diversification, poses long-term risks. While natural resource rents boost short-term growth, they can exacerbate inequality and delay necessary structural reforms. For nations whose populations are predominantly young, the intergenerational equity implications are profound: wealth generated today may come at the cost of environmental degradation and economic fragility tomorrow.

Both Qatar and the UAE appear to be learning that influence projection carries inherent risks. Al Jazeera's editorial adjustments in early 2026 suggest an awareness that perceived bias can undermine media credibility. Similarly, the UAE's public denials of involvement in sensitive conflicts and its emphasis on humanitarian aid reflect an effort to manage diplomatic fallout.

Adaptation requires more than rhetoric. For Qatar, it means grappling with the tension between state interests and journalistic integrity. Can a media network truly serve as a global beacon of free expression while advancing a single government's agenda? For the UAE, it entails reassessing whether military interventions in distant conflicts truly serve long-term national interests—or simply entangle the country in intractable disputes that drain resources and generate enemies.

The broader lesson for resource-rich small states is that wealth alone cannot guarantee security or influence. When regional order fractures, the very assets that symbolize power—skyscrapers, media networks, overseas bases—can become liabilities. Ambiguity in foreign policy invites escalation; perceived partiality erodes trust; and economic hubs dependent on perceptions of stability are vulnerable to regional shocks.

Qatar and the UAE have achieved remarkable feats: transforming desert outposts into global nodes of finance, media, and diplomacy. Their use of natural resource wealth to punch above their weight is a masterclass in strategic statecraft. But the events of early 2026 reveal the limits of this model.

Media influence built on perceived bias invites backlash. Military interventions in fragile states can generate blowback. Economic hubs dependent on perceptions of stability are vulnerable to regional shocks. And the rapid extraction of finite resources, without sustainable planning, mortgages the future.

The glass houses of the Gulf are not destined to become ruins of the desert. But they will endure only if their builders recognize that true resilience requires more than wealth—it demands legitimacy, sustainability, and a commitment to the stability of the region they seek to lead. In an era of escalating tensions, that lesson may be the most valuable resource of all.

For two small states that have leveraged hydrocarbon wealth to shape the fate of nations, the path forward is clear: influence without accountability is fragile; power without prudence is perilous. The desert remembers what the glass forgets—that foundations matter more than facades, and that lasting influence is built not on extraction, but on trust.

  

Turkey Moves to Join Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact, Fueling an Islamic Military Alliance Speculation

Turkey Moves to Join Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact, Fueling an Islamic Military Alliance Speculation

    Friday, January 09, 2026   No comments

In a rapidly shifting global order marked by the United States’ perceived retreat from long-standing alliances, an unprecedented Israeli military strike on Qatar, and escalating regional security threats Middle Eastern and South Asian powers are redefining their defense strategies. The Saudi-Pakistani Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, signed in September 2025, was merely the opening chapter. Now, with Turkey actively seeking to join the pact, the potential expansion of this alliance is becoming a geopolitical reality—one that could reshape security architectures across the Muslim world and beyond.

A potential trilateral military alliance among Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan is gaining momentum, following reports that Ankara is seeking formal membership in the bilateral defense pact signed by Riyadh and Islamabad in September 2025. According to sources familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg, Turkey’s accession talks are at an advanced stage, with a deal appearing increasingly likely.

The development follows claims by prominent Turkish commentator Eyüp Sağcan, who asserted on January 6 that a comprehensive Turkish-Saudi-Pakistani military coalition was “ready and will be signed soon,” describing it as a world-shaking arrangement aimed at securing Muslim nations. While no official confirmation has emerged from any of the three capitals, the speculation aligns with deepening defense cooperation across the trio.

The original Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement includes a mutual defense clause—mirroring NATO’s Article 5—that treats aggression against one party as an attack on both. Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed Muslim-majority state, brings significant strategic heft to the partnership. Turkey, already NATO’s second-largest military, has long-standing defense ties with Pakistan, including joint fighter jet and drone programs, and has recently expanded defense industrial collaboration with Saudi Arabia, including local production of Akıncı combat drones.

Diplomatic engagement among the three countries has intensified since 2022, with high-level talks focusing on regional security—from Yemen to Gulf stability—and enhanced defense technology sharing. Analysts suggest that while bilateral ties have flourished, a formal trilateral alliance would mark a geopolitical watershed, potentially countering Iranian influence, Israeli military reach, and Western-led security frameworks in the region.

If realized, the alliance would unite Turkey’s advanced defense industry and NATO access, Saudi Arabia’s financial power, and Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent—a combination that could significantly reshape security dynamics across the Middle East and South Asia.

Trump signs order EO considering any attack on Qatar as security threat to US--Israel’s Strike on Qatar Shakes US Credibility in the Gulf

Trump signs order EO considering any attack on Qatar as security threat to US--Israel’s Strike on Qatar Shakes US Credibility in the Gulf

    Wednesday, October 01, 2025   No comments

The United States has long positioned itself as the primary security guarantor for Gulf states, but that image has been severely shaken following Israel’s unprecedented strike on Doha earlier this month. Despite Qatar’s role as host to the largest US military installation in the Middle East, and despite decades of close security cooperation, Israel—a close American ally—was able to carry out an attack on Qatari soil with no immediate US response.

The incident rattled regional leaders and raised difficult questions: if Washington cannot—or will not—restrain Israel from striking a partner it formally protects, how reliable can its security assurances really be?

In an effort to repair the damage, President Donald Trump this week signed an executive order declaring that “any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar” will be treated as a direct threat to the peace and security of the United States. The order commits Washington to take all “lawful and appropriate measures”—including diplomatic, economic, and if necessary, military action—to defend both American and Qatari interests.

The timing was no accident. The decree came just three weeks after Israel’s air strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar, an operation that provoked outrage in Doha and embarrassment in Washington. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since issued a rare apology to Qatar, the episode left a lingering sense that US security guarantees may be more fragile than Gulf states had assumed.

At stake is not just the bilateral relationship with Qatar, but the broader credibility of the United States as the cornerstone of Gulf security. For years, Washington’s promise of protection has been central to its influence in the region, countering both Iranian power and the growing appeal of alternative security partners such as China and Russia. The failure to prevent or deter the Israeli strike cut to the heart of that credibility.

Complicating matters further is the ongoing war in Gaza. Qatar has played a key mediating role in negotiations, including talks aimed at securing a ceasefire and addressing the humanitarian crisis. If Washington, working through Doha, can help deliver a viable and lasting deal, it could partially repair the trust eroded by Israel’s attack. Such success would reaffirm the US as not only a military protector, but also as a diplomatic broker capable of shaping outcomes in the region.

But the risks are equally stark. If a Gaza deal collapses or fails to halt the bloodshed, the damage to Washington’s standing could be irreparable. Gulf leaders may conclude that the United States lacks both the will and the leverage to restrain its own allies, let alone manage conflicts across the Middle East.

The executive order signed by Trump is therefore more than a symbolic gesture toward Qatar. It is a test of whether American promises still carry weight in a region where credibility is everything—and where one misstep can reshape alliances for decades to come.

Media reaction and analysis:

Israeli Media noted the changed posture and connected it to the Gaza plan. Israel's Channel 12 correspondent and Axios reporter Barak Ravid says the US will 'dramatically upgrade' its commitment to Qatar's security:

• "As part of the initiative to end the war in Gaza and as compensation to Qatar for the Israeli strike in Doha, President Trump signed a presidential decree on Monday that dramatically upgrades the US commitment to Qatar’s security. This marks an unprecedented security agreement between the US and an Arab state."
•  "According to the presidential decree, published today, 'The United States will regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.'
•  "The decree further states: 'In the event of such an attack, the United States will take all lawful and appropriate measures, including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military, to protect the interests of the United States and the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability.'

Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact Reshapes Middle Eastern Geopolitics

Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact Reshapes Middle Eastern Geopolitics

    Wednesday, September 17, 2025   No comments

In a move that has sent seismic waves across the international community, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have formally signed a mutual defense pact. The announcement, coming in the immediate aftermath of a devastating Israeli attack on Qatar, signals a dramatic and potentially dangerous realignment of power in a region already on a knife's edge.

This agreement, far more than a simple reaffirmation of longstanding ties, represents a fundamental shift in the strategic calculus of the Middle East and South Asia, with implications for global security, energy markets, and the future of conflict in the region.

From Strategic Partnership to Ironclad Guarantee

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share a deep, decades-long relationship built on a foundation of economic support, religious solidarity, and security cooperation. Riyadh has long been a financial benefactor to Islamabad, while Pakistan has provided the Kingdom with military trainers and troops for its defense. However, this new pact elevates that relationship to an entirely new level.

The core tenet of the agreement, as stated by the Pakistani prime minister’s office, is that "any aggression against either country will be treated as aggression against both." This transforms a friendly understanding into a legally binding, ironclad security guarantee. For Saudi Arabia, a nation rich in wealth and oil but with a relatively small population, this pact effectively places it under the umbrella of Pakistan's formidable military—the world’s sixth-largest—and, most significantly, its nuclear arsenal.

The Qatar Catalyst: A Region on the Brink

The timing of the announcement is impossible to ignore. The pact was finalized during emergency talks in Riyadh between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, held just days after Israel's unprecedented attack on Qatar.

This context is crucial. The strike on Qatar, a nation that also hosts a major U.S. military base, demonstrated a terrifying escalation in the ongoing regional proxy wars. For Saudi Arabia, a longstanding rival of Qatar, the attack was likely seen not just as an strike against a neighbor, but as a harbinger of unchecked aggression that could one day be directed at Riyadh itself. The message from the Saudi leadership is clear: the traditional security architecture, heavily reliant on the United States, is no longer seen as dependable. They are seeking new, more immediate guarantees for their survival.

By aligning directly with a nuclear-armed power, Saudi Arabia is sending a powerful deterrent message to all regional adversaries, primarily Israel and Iran: an attack on the Kingdom will now carry an incalculable and existential risk.

Iran's Calculated Response: Diplomatic Outreach in a Shifting Landscape

This development comes as Iran's security leadership has initiated a regional outreach, seeking to capitalize on the chaos to advance its own vision for a new security architecture. In a highly significant move, Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader and former Parliament Speaker, was dispatched to Saudi Arabia.

Larijani’s mission is multifaceted:

• Testing the Waters: Iran is likely probing Saudi Arabia's commitment to its new partnership with Pakistan and gauging its level of anxiety post-Qatar.

• Offering an Alternative: Tehran is positioning itself as a necessary partner for regional stability, arguing that a collective security agreement that includes Iran is preferable to a polarized arms race.

• Exploiting Divisions: Iran may see an opportunity to drive a wedge between Saudi Arabia and its traditional allies by presenting itself as a more reliable, or at least inevitable, neighbor in a post-American era.

The Larijani mission underscores that while the Saudi-Pakistan pact is a Sunni-centric bloc, Iran is not remaining idle. It is responding with its own diplomatic offensive, recognizing that the regional order is up for grabs.

The Nuclear Question: A Delicate Balance

The most profound element of the pact is Pakistan’s status as a nuclear power. This agreement implicitly, though not explicitly, introduces a nuclear dimension into the heart of Middle Eastern security.

• Deterrence or Provocation? From Saudi Arabia's perspective, this is the ultimate deterrent. It hopes the mere existence of this pact will prevent any future aggression. However, from the perspective of Israel and Iran, it represents a massive escalation, potentially forcing them to recalibrate their own military and strategic doctrines.

• The "Sunni Shield" Narrative: The pact solidifies a powerful bloc of Sunni Muslim nations, with Pakistan’s bomb acting as a counterweight to Shiite Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Israel’s presumed nuclear capabilities. This risks hardening the sectarian and geopolitical fault lines in the region, moving from a cold war to a much more volatile standoff.

Global Repercussions and Shifting Alliances

The ramifications of this defense pact extend far beyond the Middle East:

1. A Challenge to U.S. Influence: This is a stark indication of Riyadh’s desire to diversify its security partnerships away from Washington. While not a full break, it shows Saudi Arabia is willing to build an independent security infrastructure, reducing its reliance on the U.S. military umbrella.

2. A Dilemma for Washington: The United States now faces a complex challenge. Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally, while Saudi Arabia remains a critical energy partner. However, a mutual defense pact that could potentially draw a nuclear-armed Pakistan into a Middle Eastern conflict is a nightmare scenario for U.S. strategists.
   

3. 
   India's Strategic Anxiety: For India, Pakistan’s arch-rival, this is deeply troubling news. It formalizes the military alliance between its two adversaries—Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s close ally, China. India must now consider the possibility that a future crisis with Pakistan could, in the worst case, involve a much broader coalition or divert Pakistani resources and attention westward.

4. Iran's Isolation and Response: For Iran, the pact is the consolidation of a hostile, US-backed, and now nuclear-linked alliance on its flanks. The Larijani mission shows its strategy is two-fold: resist this consolidation through diplomacy while likely accelerating its own military and nuclear programs as an ultimate guarantee.  Being aware of what Iran represents for Shia Muslims, and recognizing that Pakistan has a large Shia Muslim community, steps are being taken to signal that this pact is not intended to threaten Iran or exclude Shia Muslims. To this end, on September 18, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia called his Iranian counterpart, not details of the call was made available. And on September 19, the Saudi Minister of Defense called his Iranian counterpart to inform "Iran of the details of the Saudi-Pakistani mutual defense treaty, and provided a document with information." Iran's DM thanked the Saudi Defense Ministry for its briefing, and offered its good wishes for the success of this alliance and Islamic nations in general, stating that "we will always support initiatives that seek to strengthen the mutual cooperation between Islamic nations." said Iran's Minister of Defense Aziz Nasirzadeh.
   

A New, More Dangerous Era

The Saudi-Pakistan mutual defense pact is not merely a signed document; it is a symptom of a world order fracturing and reorganizing itself. It is born from a moment of extreme crisis and has triggered a swift and calculated response from Iran, as seen in the Larijani mission.

While intended to create stability through deterrence, the pact risks creating a more brittle and dangerous landscape. By explicitly tying the fate of the Arabian Peninsula to the nuclear calculus of South Asia, it has created a tripwire that, if ever crossed, could escalate a regional conflict into a global catastrophe overnight. The world is now witnessing a high-stakes diplomatic chess game where the moves are bold, the players are nervous, and the consequences are unimaginable. The world will be watching this new axis of power with bated breath and profound concern.

Arab-Islamic Summit in Qatar Condemns Israeli Aggression, Warns Normalization is "Undermined"

Arab-Islamic Summit in Qatar Condemns Israeli Aggression, Warns Normalization is "Undermined"

    Sunday, September 14, 2025   No comments

Doha, Qatar – A pivotal joint summit of Arab and Islamic nations convened in Doha on Monday under a cloud of heightened urgency, with a draft declaration explicitly condemning recent Israeli aggression against Qatar and warning that Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza has effectively "undermined" all efforts to normalize relations in the region.

The emergency meeting, bringing together leaders and top diplomats, was called in response to what participants describe as an escalating crisis. The discussions are heavily influenced by a recently updated draft communique, seen by Reuters, which delivers a stark assessment of the current situation.

A Direct Threat to Regional Peace

The draft document leaves little room for ambiguity. It states that the recent "Israeli aggression against Qatar," coupled with a continuous series of violations, "constitutes a direct threat to all efforts aimed at normalizing relations with the entity."

It further elaborates that this aggression, along with Israel’s persistent hostile acts—including "genocide, ethnic cleansing, starvation, siege, settlement, and expansionist policies—threatens the prospects for peace and coexistence in the region."

This language represents a significant hardening of stance from many nations, some of whom had been cautiously pursuing closer ties with Israel through the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. The draft declaration asserts that these Israeli policies "undo all that has been achieved in terms of normalizing relations, whether what has already been accomplished or what is in preparation."

Hamas Calls for Boycott and Isolation

The summit’s agenda was further shaped by a memorandum from Hamas, addressed directly to the foreign ministers gathered in Doha and to international organizations. The Palestinian group highlighted two critical events: the recent attempted assassination of its negotiating delegation in the Qatari capital and the failure of efforts to stop the "genocide" in the Gaza Strip.

In light of these events, Hamas called upon the assembled Arab and Islamic states to take decisive action by imposing a comprehensive political and economic boycott on Israel and working to isolate it on both the regional and international stages.

Context: A Region Under Fire

The summit occurs amidst what the draft describes as an Israeli assault not only on Qatar but on the entire region. The primary focus, however, remains the relentless war on Gaza, which has continued for months, resulting in a devastating toll of hundreds of thousands of martyrs, wounded, detainees, and missing persons.

The meeting in Doha thus transcends a mere diplomatic gathering; it is a response to a profound crisis. The strong language in the draft communique signals a potential strategic shift, moving away from the path of normalization and toward a unified front of condemnation and a demand for accountability, placing the future of regional relations firmly in jeopardy.

Opening remarks by Qatari PM Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani at the ministerial meeting in Doha

Ahead of the regional emergency summit on Monday, the Qatari Prime Minister who also met with President Trump earlier said the following (summary of his opening remarks):

“We express our appreciation to the Arab states who condemned this Israeli barbaric attack and their support to the lawful measures we will take to safeguard our sovereignty.”

“Attacking Qatar’s sovereignty is a violation of the UN Charter, namely Article 4, which prohibits the use of force against countries and sovereignty. It is also a flagrant violation of international norms and humanitarian principles. It cannot be an isolated incident that goes unpunished. It must be met with fierce and firm measures.”

 “The inhumane Israeli government has crossed all the red lines. It continues to undermine and destabilize any state in the world and sabotage political efforts that conflict with its agenda or expose its propaganda. That is why we cannot remain silent in the face of this barbaric attack.”

“If we remain silent, we will be faced with an unlimited and countless series of aggressions that will end in total destruction, and no country will be spared.”

“It is time for the international community to abandon double standards and hold Israel accountable for all the crimes it has perpetrated. Israel must know that the continued genocidal war against the Palestinian people, aiming at forcibly transferring them from their homeland, cannot succeed no matter what false justification is provided.”

“The Israeli government continues to reject proposal after proposal, intentionally widening the circle of war and placing the region’s peoples, including their own, at grave risk. This region cannot enjoy peace, stability, or security, nor its peoples justice, without the Palestinians restoring their rights and establishing their independent state on the 1967 borders.”

 “We in the State of Qatar reiterate that moderation as a means for amicable settlement is not merely an obligation but an ethical responsibility deeply rooted in our philosophy. Just and lasting peace is our strategic choice.”

“Israeli barbaric practices and arrogance will not prevent us from continuing to cooperate with our partners in Egypt to bring this unjust, unlawful war to an end.”

 “It is no secret that last Thursday we stood before the Security Council to condemn the Israeli attack on Qatar, and we appreciate the solidarity expressed by states worldwide, as well as the statement issued by the Council.”

“Today, we must take harsh measures to put an end to Israel’s arrogance and its continued violations of international law and countless crimes carried out under the cover of the international community.”

“It is with pleasure that I welcome you to your second homeland, the State of Qatar, and express our full appreciation for your participation in this emergency Arab and Islamic summit convened following the treacherous Israeli aggression of September 9.”

Amidst Summit, U.S. Diplomatic Visit to Israel Sends Mixed Signals

As Arab and Islamic leaders gathered in Doha, a parallel diplomatic mission unfolded in Israel, highlighting the complex international dimensions of the crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarked on a visit to Israel, a move intensely analyzed for its timing and message amidst the fallout from the attack on Qatar and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israeli analyses, as reported, described the visit as a critical test for U.S.-Israel relations, questioning the level of security coordination and the limits of public American support for Israeli operations. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu portrayed the visit as "proof of the strength of the relationship with the United States," commentators suggested a more nuanced reality.

According to Israeli political analysts, Secretary Rubio’s mission conveyed a "mix of reassurance and pressure":

On Gaza: The visit aimed to discuss post-war arrangements, revealing a continuing gap between Israel’s vision of complete security control and the U.S. preference for solutions that open the door to broader regional deals.

On the Qatar Attack: The visit underscored Washington's embarrassment. While reaffirming strong ties, reports indicated dissatisfaction within the Trump administration with the operation, exposing the limits of U.S. support when Israeli actions directly conflict with American interests, such as the stability of a key Gulf mediator like Qatar.

On Palestinian Statehood: The visit confirmed the U.S. commitment to thwarting international efforts to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly. However, analysts warned that American support alone may not be enough to stem the growing European momentum.