Host of @CNNConnect & CNN Abu Dhabi Managing Editor. Join us Mon-Fri for our Emmy-award winning show @CNNi 17:00 UAE | 14:00 London | 09:00 New York

Abu Dhabi, UAE
Becky Anderson retweeted
MEI Senior Fellow @ThisIsSoliman joined @CNN's @BeckyCNN from Abu Dhabi’s ADIPEC to discuss the Iran talks, the future of US-Gulf relations, and the thesis of his book, West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East.
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During a Connect the World from @ADIPECOfficial on the eve of the U.S. midterms, I sat down with former Biden adviser @amoshochstein to discuss how this election could reshape DC's approach to Iran. Does he think the U.S. president will make good on threats to restart the war?
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Syria is opening its doors to global investment as it rebuilds from years of war. But is the U.S. vision centered on creating opportunities for Syrians, or enriching regional and external elites? I asked @USAMBTurkiye.
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Five days out from U.S. midterms, I asked @USAMBTurkiye at CNN’s Global Perspectives where the Trump administration stands on Iran, and whether we’re headed toward diplomacy or renewed conflict. Here’s what he told me:
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Important insight and well worth a read from @MofaQatar_EN
Qatar Calls for New Regional Security Framework Based on State Sovereignty Respect Doha | October 27, 2026 The State of Qatar has called for a new regional security framework based on respect for state sovereignty and mutual non-aggression, while urging Iran to demonstrate its commitment to regional stability through concrete actions. Director of the Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Al Hashemi said the development of Qatar's defense capabilities was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen deterrence and protect national sovereignty, rather than a response to any single crisis. Speaking at the ministry's weekly media briefing, Al Hashemi said Qatar's defense systems had effectively dealt with all attacks during the latest regional escalation, allowing daily life and economic activities to continue without disruption. He said the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan were working alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Mecca Defense Alliance to de-escalate tensions and help bring an end to the region's current state of heightened tension. The State of Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states had repeatedly expressed their readiness to establish a regional security framework, Al Hashemi said, adding that it was now up to Tehran to uphold the proposed principles and demonstrate good faith. Despite positive statements from Tehran, he said, Iran needed to translate its rhetoric into action by ending threats against countries in the region and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Al Hashemi said a Qatari delegation's visit to Tehran was part of ongoing consultations with partners and efforts to sustain mediation. He described the process as moving in a positive direction, with the primary aim of reducing tensions and preventing further escalation. He acknowledged that statements from both Washington and Tehran had raised the prospect of further escalation, but said both sides had also emphasized the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions through dialogue. Qatar, Pakistan and regional and international partners were focused on advancing this diplomatic track to secure a lasting agreement that would resolve the crisis comprehensively, he said. Addressing the exchanges of statements between the United States and Iran, Al Hashemi said mediators sought to build on positive signals, bridge differences and work towards mutually acceptable outcomes that could bring a sustainable end to the crisis and safeguard international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He said mediators remained committed to preserving a "window of hope", stressing that a lasting solution could only be achieved through negotiations and sustained efforts to ease tensions and resolve outstanding issues peacefully. Al Hashemi added that diplomatic messages, proposals and views continued to pass between Washington and Tehran through Qatar's mediation channel, in ongoing coordination with partners. These efforts had not stopped, he said, and were aimed at containing the conflict, creating conditions for an early diplomatic settlement and securing guarantees for the safety and stability of all countries in the region. #MOFAQatar
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“Amid the fog of the regional scene. . . The region's experiences have proven that wars lead only to further crises, and that diplomacy is the most effective path to safeguarding security and achieving peace and stability.”@AnwarGargash, advisor to the UAE President
في ظل ضبابية المشهد الإقليمي وتزايد الإشاعات والتكهنات بشأن مسارات التصعيد والمواجهة، يظل نهج دولة الإمارات راسخاً وواضحاً وقائماً على الحكمة والاتزان وتغليب لغة الحوار والحلول السياسية. فالمرحلة تتطلب أعلى درجات ضبط النفس والمرونة والعقلانية، بعيداً عن منطق التصعيد. أثبتت تجارب المنطقة أن الحروب لا تفضي إلا إلى مزيد من الأزمات، وأن الدبلوماسية هي السبيل الأجدى لصون الأمن وتحقيق السلام والاستقرار.
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Let’s just mark the Israeli elections first - It’s election day in Israel with polls set to close just hours from this writing. How are voters thinking about Netanyahu’s top challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot? I got @dahliasc’s perspective
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The members of the Mecca Pact mutual defense agreement sent high level reps to Tehran this week. And I think DC didn't just give its blessing for this kind of move but asked for it. And that tells me something very interesting about how regional power dynamics here are changing.
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France’s economy is at the heart of its protests. But does the opposition have solutions? @KuperSimon says experts he speaks to remain unconvinced by Marine Le Pen’s economic vision. What would a Le Pen victory mean for France and its fortunes?
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“I almost like to say that Gadi Eisenkot is the antithesis of Netanyahu” @yaakovkatz tells me as he breaks down the stark differences between the two candidates in the Israeli elections.
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After 12 years, Aleksandar #Vucic has conceded defeat in #Serbia, swept out by a movement that started on university campuses and grew into something nobody in power saw coming. Democracy is messy, imperfect and sometimes genuinely surprising. This is one of those moments.
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.@Lana_Nusseibeh “I believe this is a moment to act with greater urgency” @unsg candidate
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From the ruins of war to an award-winning rebuilding initiative. As part of our Road to @turkiyecop31 series, I spoke with Tala, 17, and Farah, 15, Palestinian sisters from Gaza who won the Earth Prize for transforming rubble into reusable building bricks:
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"Our first step is to say no dark money in presidential primaries" @jjz1600 tells me about the attacks on Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race, in what is on track to be the most expensive U.S midterms in history:
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Becky Anderson retweeted
My book West Asia argues that a Turkey-Pakistan will be foundational to a broader Indo-Islamic coalition (not an alliance) that would bring in Qatar Saudi, and perhaps Egypt, and eventually link with Indonesia and Malaysia. And here we are: the Iran war has catalyzed the thesis.
Turkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia have signed an agreement aimed at boosting defence cooperation and strengthening defensive capabilities, according to the Turkish Defence Ministry. 🔴 LIVE updates: aje.news/70ozws
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Becky Anderson retweeted
Earlier in the war, when Iran attacked AI infrastructure, I argued that Tehran understands the value of AI. The Iranians recognized that this infra would shift the broader balance of power in favor of the Gulf states over the long term, apart from its economic value.👇🏽👇🏽
The Persian Gulf Data Authority is coming. To governments, funds, and firms in the region: you are kindly advised to give no resources to any AI or data company aiding invasions or killing children. No finance, equity, land and energy. Assist them and face our enforcement.
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I was in Sharm el-Sheikh for the Gaza peace summit just over a year ago. President Trump said at the time that "A new and beautiful day is rising and now the rebuilding begins. The rebuilding is maybe going to be the easiest part." Well, a year later rebuilding has not been easy - in fact it's not even begun yet. Here's why Gaza is still stuck in limbo.
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Could Gulf sovereign wealth funds pull back on investments? Amid regional uncertainty and fears of global bond market spillover, I ask @ThisIsSoliman if investors should be worried:
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Amid riots and protests in his country, President Macron is on a Middle East tour. What can the timing of his visit tell us about Paris's priorities? I ask @PedderSophie
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The far left and far right both oppose the French government's response to the protests, but for opposite reasons. @PedderSophie explains what that says about the polarization in France:
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