In MEI Perspectives 47, I discuss the significance of France’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, and how these reverberations are meant not only for Europe, but also further abroad. This policy announcement also comes at a critical juncture as Israel intends to expand its military occupation. *************************** In early 2017, former French President François…

Continue reading

I was on BBC News to talk about President Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state and why it goes beyond diplomatic significance. This runs on a momentum of disillusionment in Europe and beyond, following the signing of a joint statement by 28 countries calling for an end to the Gaza atrocities. But for the…

Continue reading

In my latest writing for CNA, I dissect the argument that war sustains Netanyahu’s political position. The Israeli prime minister is faced with both internal and external pressures, but is juggling the scales to his advantage.Certainly, despite nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, the Israeli leader has little interest in peace. Read the…

Continue reading

I spoke with Miranda Jeyaretnam of the TIME magazine about the Trump Administration’s growing frustration with Israel, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was previously blindsided by Mr Trump several times before Israeli assault on Iran. Full article here and below. Israeli aggression appears to be vexing the Trump Administration. The White House said…

Continue reading

Quoted in a piece by Tom Hussain on the growing momentum of free trade and investment deals between ASEAN member states and the Gulf Arab countries. Full article below. Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility? The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from…

Continue reading

Completing this piece in Saudi Arabia, not far off from Qatar where the Iranian response was targeted, I write that the symbolic missile attack on Al Udeid base hosted by the Gulf Arab state was an indication that a weary Iran is signaling for respite. A lasting truce, however, will depend on two questions. READ…

Continue reading

I write for the Middle East Institute-NUS on how US President Trump’s coercive diplomacy towards Iran should now focus on diplomatic efforts, following the exchange of blows between Tehran and Tel Aviv, which came to a head with US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Regime change, as the president threatened, will not be helpful as…

Continue reading

I was on BBC News earlier on the morning (SGT) of June 17, while the G7 meeting in Alberta was still transpiring, discussing how President Trump seems to rely heavily on coercive diplomacy to force Iran to negotiate — all that despite Israel’s initiation of the state-on-state actions (which had scuttled last Sunday’s nuclear talks).…

Continue reading

My latest write-up ✍️ for Middle East Institute – NUS reflects on Secretary of Defense Peth Hegseth’s remarks at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue, but from a Middle Eastern/Gulf angle. I shared my thoughts on burden-sharing, hedging, and entanglements. READ HERE.

Continue reading

I wrote a piece for CNA discussing Singapore’s position on Gaza, amid the turning tide of international opinion against Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Singapore lent extra significance to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s remarks — the strongest so far by Singapore’s leadership. Mr Macron had recently underscored the need for Europe to…

Continue reading

My take on US President Donald Trump’s rockstar reception in the Gulf, which ended with blockbuster deals. A follow-up from an earlier piece that I wrote before POTUS’ trip. This time, for CNA, my breakdown of his trip corresponds to the section titles in my article:🔺Money talks… AI🔺Boeing and Defence, the Chief Beneficiaries🔺Is Regional Stability…

Continue reading

Together with colleagues from the US, including those from Washington, DC, and Houston, we offered our quick takes ahead of President Trump’s Mid East visit comprising Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. READ HERE.

Continue reading

My latest writing for IAI – Istituto Affari Internazionali examines the stakes during US president Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Gulf. Besides the economic hype — and anticipated deals — which will inject optimism in the American economy, there will also be realpolitik at play. The state of the global economic order and regional…

Continue reading

My latest writing ✍️ explains why Oman remains the preferred go-between for US-Iran talks, despite the intermediary roles of neighbouring Gulf states in other conflict theatres. READ HERE.

Continue reading

MEI’s Expert Snapshots feature inputs from Sachi Sakanashi, Alam Saleh, Ludovica Castelli, and yours truly. What do we make of the cautious optimism surrounding the ongoing US-Iran talks? Why is Donald Trump pursuing a deal similar to the one he abandoned? What do both sides seek to achieve? These quick thoughts 💭 help to break…

Continue reading