The Gulf narrows: Iran-Saudi relations

Our outgoing defence editor reflects on how war has changed during the eight years of his tenure. Wars have become easier to start and harder to finish, and the little guy has a better chance than ever before. And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Barney Frank, a trailblazing ...  Show more

The American administration’s next round of sabre-rattling has been directed at Cuba. But more military adventures there would probably prove disastrous. We profile the three starkly different contenders in Colombia’s hyper-polarised presidential election. And our series looking ...  Show more

The two regional rivals have negotiated a deal, ending a seven-year lapse in diplomatic ties. Elsewhere, though, Iran remains aggressive. We ask what to make of its <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/03/23/iran-wants-a-detente-with-its-neighbours-but-not-with-ame ...

An apparent act of  Show more

After protracted negotiations, at last a conclusion appears nigh—but depending on whom you ask, a breakthrough is <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/nuclear-talks-with-iran-enter-the-endgame/21807592?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_sour ...

American airstrikes on Syrian bases linked to Iran are a reminder that Iran’s proxies lie behind many Middle East conflicts. But the ayatollahs’ angling for wider war in Gaza is a deeply dangerous game. We introduce you to our latest subscriber-only show, “The Weekend Intelligenc ...  Show more