Skip to main content
The Interpreter

Interpreter - Menu Links

  • Articles
  • Debates
  • Contributors
  • About

Published daily by the Lowy Institute

  • 14 Apr 2025
    • India
    • Sri Lanka
    • Energy
    • United Arab Emirates

    Three-way energy play: The India-Sri Lanka-UAE deal in Trincomalee

    Rushali Saha
    Pipeline politics transform a Second World War-era fuel tank farm into a regional prize.
  • 28 Nov 2023
    • Energy
    • Climate change
    • Qatar
    • United Arab Emirates

    The regional realignment on display at COP28

    Achref Chibani
    Middle East nations that built riches on fossil fuels are now presenting as friends for the Global South in an energy transition.
  • 20 Nov 2023
    • Middle East Conflict
    • Egypt
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Israel
    • Lebanon
    • Qatar
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Syria
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Yemen

    The war in Gaza has not destroyed normalisation … for now

    Lydia Khalil
    Despite deepening hostilities, common strategic interests still bind Israel and most of the Arab states.
  • 1 Nov 2023
    • India
    • India's Economy
    • Europe
    • Europe's Economy
    • Trade
    • Middle East
    • Iran
    • Israel
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United States
    • US Economy

    History repeats: A new (old) economic corridor emerges

    Ved Shinde
    Renewed connectivity between India, the Middle East and Europe shows how maps are temporary, but geography persists.
  • 27 Oct 2023
    • Diplomacy
    • Climate change
    • Environment
    • United Nations
    • United Arab Emirates

    Climate negotiations in a fossil fuel state: What to expect from COP28

    Melanie Pill
    Even with outcomes uncertain, there are three big topics likely to dominate the upcoming talks in Dubai.
  • 26 Sep 2023
    • Middle East
    • Egypt
    • Iran
    • Israel
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Türkiye
    • United Arab Emirates

    Israel and Saudi Arabia: Finally, a New Middle East?

    Dave Sharma
    A deal with the Middle East’s two most significant powers could transform the volatile region, but the stakes are high.
  • 21 Mar 2022
    • Defence & Security
    • United States
    • Russia
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Ukraine

    The Gulf’s diversification dilemma

    Rodger Shanahan
    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine puts Saudi Arabia and the UAE in an awkward spot in relations with the United States.
  • 28 Sep 2021
    • Afghanistan
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Yemen

    Yemen: the search for leverage after Afghanistan

    Philip Eliason
    Islamists see advantage in a perceived reduction of America’s commitment to friends. Yemen could be the start.
  • 21 May 2021
    • Middle East Conflict
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Türkiye
    • Qatar
    • Israel

    The challenge to the Abraham Accords

    Rodger Shanahan
    A reckoning over the Palestinian issue was always coming for those countries that normalised ties with Israel.
  • 1 Sep 2020
    • Middle East
    • Middle East Conflict
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Israel

    Why is the “Arab street” so silent on the Israel-UAE deal?

    Lydia Khalil
    Barely any outcry marked this latest shift, which probably reflects recognition of facts on the ground.
  • 21 Aug 2020
    • Middle East
    • Diplomacy
    • United States
    • China
    • Iran
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Israel

    Hidden seams in the UAE-Israel deal

    Ben Scott
    It’s all about Iran, right? Actually, the agreement has more to do with managing the US and China.
  • 17 Aug 2020
    • Middle East
    • United States
    • Iran
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Türkiye
    • Qatar
    • Israel

    The essence of timing in politics

    Rodger Shanahan
    The UAE earned goodwill for a deal with Israel, but the US is still struggling to win backers for its hard line on Iran.
  • 14 Nov 2018
    • United Arab Emirates

    Endgame for Dubai

    Daniel Woker
    Dubai’s surface has the qualities of a mirage, still reflecting easy riches but is, in reality, abandoned and uncertain.
  • 29 Jun 2018
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Yemen

    Make or break: UAE in Yemen

    Alexander Harper
    Amid claims of human rights abuses, many Yemenis are increasingly coming to view the Emirates as an occupying power.
  • 5 Feb 2018
    • Australia
    • Iran
    • United Arab Emirates

    Exposed! Australia’s secret war plans to attack Iran! (Maybe)

    Rodger Shanahan
    Nothing is for nothing in the Middle East.
  • 18 Jul 2017
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates

    Defence exports to the Gulf: No price on values

    Rodger Shanahan
    We should always be clear-headed about the degree to which it is our interests, rather than shared values, that tie us to states in the Gulf.

Stay informed with the latest commentary and analysis on international events from experts at the Lowy Institute and around the world.

Register

The Interpreter features in-depth analysis & expert commentary on the latest international events, published daily by the Lowy Institute.

© Copyright 2025 Lowy Institute

  • Debates
  • Contributors
  • Articles
  • About
  • Terms of Use
  • Log In
  • My bookmarks