Saudi Arabia vs. UAE: How the Iran War Deepened This Gulf Rivalry | Mapped Out

July 25, 2026 | Saudi Arabia and the US have announced a nuclear deal that has rocked the Gulf. The landmark agreement would establish a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia with the help of US companies. Critics fear it could lead to Saudi Arabia developing nuclear weapons or even set off a nuclear arms race in the Gulf.

This deal is likely to be a new layer of a deep-seated and bitter rivalry in the Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UAE already has a nuclear deal with the US, albeit a less extensive one.

The news of this controversial deal follows attacks from Iran on the Gulf in the context of the US-Israeli war on Iran. This war has transformed the Gulf and sharpened the Saudi-UAE rivalry further.

The countries' leaders Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) of Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ) of the UAE used to be bros, but their race to dominate the Gulf has soured the relationship.

From trying to build the biggest skyscraper like Burh Khalifa and Jeddah Tower, to buying up football clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will compete on anything. But this competition is fuelling conflicts in Sudan and Yemen with devastating human consequences.

As the US withdraws from its role as security guarantor in the region, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are scrambling to align themselves with new partners. The UAE is particularly working with Israel and might even be building and sharing military facilities with them in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.

Can these neighbors find any common ground — or might this rivalry and the possible new nuclear deal split the Middle East even more?

Iran Threatens to Attack UK Bases Used by US Forces - Risking Wider War | BBC News

July 23, 2026 | Iran has threatened to attack British bases being used by the US to launch operations against Iran. It accused the UK of being an "accomplice" of the US military and said that UK bases used by US forces were “legitimate targets”.

The UK has allowed the US to launch "defensive" operations from British bases hosting American personnel and aircraft, while refusing to cooperate in offensive operations against Iran. In response to Iran’s comments, the UK government said it "stands ready 24/7 to defend itself". It followed a 12th consecutive night of US strikes against targets in Iran, with the ceasefire that had been agreed between the two countries apparently abandoned.

In March 2026, shortly after the start of the US-Israel led war against Iran, the UK gave the US permission to use British bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, to target Iranian military infrastructure used to attack Gulf countries and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalating war, and continuing block on commercial shipping through the strait of Hormuz, has led to a new surge in global oil prices, which have again reached more than $100 per barrel.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jeremy Bowen and Faisal Islam.

Jesse Dollemore: Trump Insults 9/11 Victims, Teams Up w/ Terrorists, Gives Saudis Nukes

July 22, 2026 | Donald Trump has approved a landmark nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. Jesse Dollemore responds...

What Do We Know about the US' Nuclear Deal with Saudi Arabia? | BBC News

July 23, 2026 | The US and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark deal that will reportedly allow the Gulf kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme.

The deal is described as a "peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement" that will provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program", according to the US energy department.

Text from the deal was not made public, but US media have reported that it could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future - which can be used as fuel for power plants, but also to make nuclear bombs.

Experts say that would mark a first for the US and could run the risk of future nuclear proliferation in an already unstable region.


Watching MBS and Trump pawing each other and smiling at each other like hyenas is really quite sickening. Two queer bros wouldn’t make more of a song and dance together! It all comes over like a felons’ fest! By the way, one can but wonder how many billions Trump is going to make for himself and his family from this ridiculous deal? — © Mark Alexander

‘BONKERS’ US Saudi Nuclear Deal Shows How ‘Dependent’ Trump Is on MBS

July 22, 2026 | President Donald Trump has approved a landmark civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium on its own soil.

The proposed 30-year deal is expected to face scrutiny in Congress, with critics warning it could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation and fuel a regional arms race. Supporters argue it will strengthen the US-Saudi alliance and keep Riyadh aligned with Washington rather than rivals such as China or Russia. Matt Frei and Mark Urban discuss what it all means in this segment of the Fourcast Indicators.


Dismember a journalist and be rewarded by getting all the privileges! Something looks wrong with this picture! As I have said before: Trump is trash! — © Mark Alexander

Trump Makes Major Mistake by 'Throwing a Grenade' into Old Political Firestorm | Sir Bill Browder

July 22, 2026 | Sir Bill Browder joins Maddie Hale to discuss reports the Trump administration is preparing to announce a major nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, Donald Trump reviving threats to target Iran's civilian infrastructure, and new U.S. intelligence suggesting Tehran may be moving thousands of centrifuges into the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain facility.

This is the very first time that I disagree with Bill Browder! If Saudi can be trusted with nuclear material, then Iran can and should be trusted with it too. It is absolutely ridiculous to help Saudi Arabia get nuclear material and at the same time be at war costing multiple billions to stop Iran getting the very same material. I am saddened and surprised by Bill Browder’s excuses here. I thought he'd have a better, fairer assessment than this. Further, when push comes to shove, the Iranians are a very sophisticated people. Very well-educated and sophisticated.

By the way, one thing we can be sure of is that Trump and his cronies will be filling their coffers "BIGLY" through these deals with Saudi Arabia. Further, when it comes to corruption, it is difficult to tell who is learning from whom here! — © Mark Alexander

Saudis Reach Deal With U.S. That Could Let Them Enrich Nuclear Fuel

THE NEW YORK TIMES: U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials have expressed opposition to such a plan, to be announced Wednesday, fearing that the kingdom could use a civilian nuclear project to develop nuclear weapons.

This screenshot is from this NYT article. | President Trump shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at the White House last November. Credit: Kenny Holston/The New York Times
The Trump administration plans to announce Wednesday that it has reached a broad nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that could lead to the country enriching its own fuel for nuclear reactors, U.S. officials said.

The accord is intended to further bind the United States with the Saudi government as the war with Iran strains the relationship. The Trump administration, according to officials, estimates it will provide billions of dollars for the U.S. nuclear industry — starting with Westinghouse, which designs many of the reactors sold abroad.

The Trump administration plans to formally sign and announce the agreement with the Saudis on Wednesday, said two U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. It would announce the details to Congress soon afterward.

Although the agreement likely would have support among many Republicans, some U.S. lawmakers from both parties along with Israeli officials have expressed opposition to such a plan, fearing that the kingdom could use a civilian nuclear project to eventually develop nuclear weapons. » | David E. Sanger, Edward Wong and William J. Broad | David Sanger reported from Washington, Edward Wong from Manila, where he is covering a diplomatic trip by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and William J. Broad from New York. | Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Clearly, Trump has a soft spot for the Saudis! He’s gone to war with the Iranians for the very same thing. Why the double standards? If anything is going to turbocharge this war with Iran, this will! How unwise and foolish can a president be? — © Mark Alexander

Saudi Arabia, between Repression and Transformation | DW Documentary

Jan 1, 2026 | Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. For almost a decade, he has been radically transforming the country — at a breath-taking pace.

Where is the modernizer and despot steering the kingdom?

Saudi Arabia is the world's leading exporter of crude oil. But Crown Prince MBS wants to prepare the country for the post-oil era.

Two-thirds of the country's population is under 30 years old, and the crown prince is taking radical measures to turn the previously strictly conservative society on its head.

The documentary shows how contradictory Mohammed bin Salman's ambitions for his "Vision 2030" are, as it takes a look behind the scenes of the transformation.

On the one hand, there is the "Neom" project, which aims to create a futuristic new megacity in the desert. Tourism is to be expanded, major music and sporting events are to be brought to the country, and an extravagant lifestyle is being promoted. At the same time, an authoritarian style of government continues to prevail, dissidents are sometimes brutally suppressed, and women's rights are still not fully granted - even if the influence of the ultra-conservative religious leaders of Wahhabism is no longer as strong as it once was.

The Trump-Era Saudi-U.S. Relationship: An Insider's View

July 10, 2026 | Khalid Aljabri is a cardiologist and a health-tech entrepreneur. He is a Saudi exile and the son of former Saudi intelligence official Saad Aljabri, who served as a top aide to the former Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef. Two of his siblings have been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia since 2020.

How the Iran War Ignited a Clash Between Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed President Trump earlier to cripple Iran. But as Iran asserted its power, the prince urged a cease-fire, and is now pursuing his security priorities.

This picture is from this NYT article. | President Trump with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia in Washington last year. The two countries have become increasingly at odds over the U.S. war with Iran. | Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times
President Trump and his military commanders were in a bind.

They had announced the start of a new mission to help guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively closed early in the war. U.S. naval and air power would ward off any Iranian attacks during a tentative cease-fire, the commanders said.

But U.S. Central Command was caught by surprise when officials from Saudi Arabia said American forces could not use the kingdom’s air space for the mission, which the Pentagon was calling Project Freedom. The Americans had not consulted the Saudis.

That set off a flurry of tense and urgent phone calls between Washington and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the leader of Saudi Arabia. An outraged Mr. Trump spoke with him on May 4, the first day of the operation, and on the next two days as well, U.S. officials said.

Vice President JD Vance talked to the prince in a separate call, as did Steve Witkoff, the special envoy to the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son-in-law. Marco Rubio, the White House national security adviser, spoke to his counterpart.

But the crown prince stood his ground, fearing that the American plan could reignite war. The Trump administration was forced to shut down Project Freedom less than 48 hours after it had begun.

“They had lost confidence in the administration, and they thought if they let the U.S. use their airspace, they would get hit even harder by Iran,” said Hussein Ibish, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. » | Edward Wong | Edward Wong has reported from Washington on U.S. policy in the Middle East over three administrations. He covered the Iraq War from that country for three and a half years. | Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Michael Lambert: Kushner & Ivanka's $1.4 Billion Albania Land Grab | Trump Family First

Jun 12 , 2026 | When Ivanka Trump jumped off a friend's superyacht near Albania, she came back with more than a tan. She came back with a $1.4 billion development plan. This is the story of Ken and Barbie's Island — how Jared Kushner, bankrolled by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf states, is attempting to turn Sazan Island, a former Russian military base of outstanding natural beauty, into an exclusive playground for the global elite.

In this video I cover:

• How the Albanian government secretly rushed through legislation to enable the sale
• The history of Sazan Island — and why destroying it matters
• The Albania protests that have rocked the country for over ten days
• Kushner's track record on similar projects in Serbia — and why it doesn't inspire confidence
• The criminal investigation launched by Albania's anti-corruption prosecutors (SPAK)

And I ask the obvious question: when the son-in-law of the most powerful man on earth comes knocking, just how much does Albanian democracy cost? This is a story about wealth, corruption, environmental destruction — and the extraordinary reach of Trump family power.

Kushner’s Sazan Plan: Barefoot Self-discovery or Modern Land Grab?| Soumaya Ghannoushi | MEE Opinion

Jun 9, 2026 | Soumaya Ghannoushi, a writer and expert in Middle East politics, argues that Jared Kushner's multi-billion-dollar plan to build a luxury resort on Sazan Island exposes a significant disconnect between elite privilege and the real-world implications of sovereignty.

Ghannoushi points out that what Ivanka Trump describes as an innocent "barefoot discovery" of an untouched "mysterious Mediterranean paradise" is actually a calculated venture supported by foreign sovereign wealth funds and facilitated by local authorities that are compliant with these plans.

She argues that Kushner is attempting to reduce sovereign geography to merely a picturesque backdrop, drawing a troubling parallel to his controversial real estate ambitions regarding the "waterfront potential of Gaza" during Israel’s genocidal war on the besieged strip.


This is a fantastic synopsis. Bravo! — Mark

Ivanka Trump's Sazan Island Dream Project Torpedoed? Albania Protests Kushner–Rama Deal

Jun 7, 2026 | A major luxury development linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner is facing growing backlash in Albania, where thousands of protesters have taken to the streets against the proposed $1.4 billion Sazan Island project.

Demonstrators have targeted the development, backed by Kushner's Affinity Partners, with some invoking Jeffrey Epstein as they criticize the plan.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the high-profile project and fuelled debate over its political, environmental and economic impact on the Balkan nation.


It sounds to me as if the Albanian government is as corrupt as Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and the rest of the mob! I hope and trust that Albanians will be successful in stopping this crazy project. The Trumps have kitsched up just about everything they have ever touched—just look at that Oval Office for proof!—so don’t let them kitsch up Albania’s beautiful coastline now, as well. — © Mark Alexander

Jesse Dollemore: Trump Announces He’s Taking Orders from Saudi Arabia

May 20, 2026

TW: Very strong language alert!

The Trump presidency is nothing but a SHITSHOW! — © Mark Alexander

Has the Iran War Destroyed Saudi Arabia’s Mega Project "Vision 2030"? | DW News

May 12, 2026 | Saudi Arabia promised its citizens a new kingdom - glass cities in the desert, ski slopes in the mountains, and an economy no longer dependent on oil. But one by one, the mega projects are being scaled back, suspended, or quietly buried. Now, with the Iran war closing the Strait of Hormuz and oil exports down, the kingdom is bleeding revenue while its deficits grow. Ole Alsaker talks to Karen Elliott House, a journalist who knows the Kingdom better than almost anyone - to ask whether Vision 2030 was ever real, and what happens if it fails.

Saudi Arabia Is Lifting the Alcohol Ban for Wealthy Foreigners

BBC: Saudi Arabia has quietly started to allow wealthy foreign residents to buy alcohol, a huge change after a 73-year ban. Commentators expect that the relaxation will eventually be extended to tourists, as Sameer Hashmi reports from Riyadh.

For decades, Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter has stood apart from the rest of the capital city – an affluent enclave of embassies and upscale residences, with shaded walkways, greenery and a café culture that draws young Saudis and expatriates alike.

Now, tucked inside a discreet, unmarked beige complex within the exclusive neighbourhood, a small store has become a discrete testing ground for one of Saudi Arabia's most sensitive policy shifts – the controlled sale of alcohol to wealthy non-Muslim foreigners.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's two holiest sites, banned the sale of alcohol in 1952. But as part of a broader effort to reshape its image, the kingdom has rolled out sweeping social and economic reforms in recent years, presenting itself as a more moderate and investment-friendly society.

Under the leadership of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, the kingdom has reopened cinemas, hosted major music festivals, lifted the ban on women driving, and curtailed the powers of the once-feared religious police.

But the quiet expansion of legal alcohol sales is arguably the boldest experiment yet.

The liquor shop first opened in Riyadh in January 2024, but entry was initially restricted to non-Muslim diplomats. Under new rules introduced without announcement at the end of 2025, wealthy, non-Muslim foreign residents can now also go there to purchase beer, wine and spirits.

To be eligible, an expat must either hold a Premium Residency permit, which costs 100,000 Saudi riyals ($27,000; £19,300) a year; or show that he or she earns at least 50,000 riyals per month.

The Premium Residency scheme has varying eligibility criteria, and is typically open to senior foreign executives, investors, and professionals with specialised skills.

In both the case of permit holders and those without, they will have to show their residence ID card to security guards at the door. This details their religion and residency status. » | Sameer Hashmi | Thursday, February 5, 2026

Saudi Arabia Breaks Bad News to Trump - The US Military Can’t Use Their Airspace | David Satterfield

May 7, 2026 | "Saudi Arabia is reported to have told him its airspace cannot be used for operations."

Donald Trump has suffered a major operational setback as he has been reportedly told by Saudi Arabia that the US cannot use their airspace, says former US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, David Satterfield.

Being Gay in Saudi Arabia: The Hidden Truth No One Talks about

Aug 25, 2025 | Saudi Arabia is opening its doors to the world with futuristic cities, luxury resorts, and ambitious visions of modernization. But behind the glossy image lies a stark reality: for LGBTQ+ people, Saudi Arabia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

In this video, Truth Travels dives deep into what it means to be gay in Saudi Arabia. From strict laws based on Sharia, to social pressures, underground LGBTQ+ communities, and the risks faced by both locals and travellers, we uncover the truth about life in the kingdom.

Iran Has Attacked Saudi Arabia's Jubail Petrochemical Complex, IRGC Says

REUTERS: RGC says attacks in response to strikes on Iran's Asaluyeh plants / Smoke and flames rising from the direction of Saudi's Jubail

April 7 (Reuters) - Iran on Tuesday attacked Saudi Arabia's Jubail petrochemical complex, the heart of the kingdom's downstream sector, its Revolutionary Guards said, the latest evidence of Tehran's ability to strike back in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks ahead of a U.S. deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran said the attack was in response to attacks against its Asaluyeh petrochemical plants, which are connected to its massive South Pars gas field and were reportedly hit by multiple explosions overnight.

U.S. President Donald Trump's ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz oil chokepoint by ⁠the end of Tuesday or face bombing of civilian infrastructure would be the biggest escalation yet of the war. Iran has warned it would target similar infrastructure in the Gulf. Hormuz's closure has sent global energy prices surging.

Iran has shown it retains the ability to strike targets in neighbouring countries and effectively shut transit through the Strait, previously a conduit for a fifth of global oil supply.

Jubail, a sprawling industrial city, houses multi-billion dollar joint ventures between state-backed oil giant Saudi Aramco and its petrochemical subsidiary SABIC, and Western energy majors.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the attacks were "in response to the enemy's crimes in the aggression against (Iran's) Asaluyeh petrochemical plants," which had reportedly been hit by ⁠several explosions overnight.

It was not immediately clear which facility or facilities were hit in Saudi Arabia. Video footage verified by Reuters showed smoke and flames rising from the direction of Jubail. » | Reuters | Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Being Gay in Saudi Arabia: The Hidden Truth No One Talks About

Aug 25, 2025 | Saudi Arabia is opening its doors to the world with futuristic cities, luxury resorts, and ambitious visions of modernization. But behind the glossy image lies a stark reality: for LGBTQ+ people, Saudi Arabia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

In this video, Truth Travels dives deep into what it means to be gay in Saudi Arabia. From strict laws based on Sharia, to social pressures, underground LGBTQ+ communities, and the risks faced by both locals and travellers, we uncover the truth about life in the kingdom.