Faisal Abbas

Riyadh, United Arab Emirates

Editor-in-Chief at Arab News

Editorial Board Member at Al Arabiya

Editor-in-Chief of @ArabNews | Vice Chairman of Saudi Journalist Association | Editorial Board @AlArabiya | #YGL18

Articles

The Gulf, and everyone else, loses in the Israel-Iran war

1 week ago | semafor.com | Faisal Abbas

“It’s a pity both sides can’t lose.” This quote, widely attributed to the late Henry Kissinger during the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988), resurfaced in my mind as direct war broke out between Israel and Iran. While it may seem to outsiders that this is the Gulf’s position, the view here is that escalation puts the entire region at risk. Unless the hostilities end soon, everyone loses. Both sides have few friends in the region.
The Gulf, and everyone else, loses in the Israel-Iran war

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Faisal Abbas

“It’s a pity both sides can’t lose.” This quote, widely attributed to the late Henry Kissinger during the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988), resurfaced in my mind as direct war broke out between Israel and Iran. While it may seem to outsiders that this is the Gulf’s position, the view here is that escalation puts the entire region at risk. Unless the hostilities end soon, everyone loses. Both sides have few friends in the region.
Iran vs. Israel: Adults in the room need to act quickly

1 week ago | arabnews.pk | Faisal Abbas

Iran vs. Israel: Adults in the room need to act quickly Faisal J. Abbas June 17, 2025 00:01 The aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Haifa, Israel, on Sunday. (Reuters) Short Urlhttps://arab.news/cm46r The Middle East is once again at a dangerous crossroads as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate. This latest round of hostilities threatens to drag the region into yet another prolonged conflict — one that benefits no one except those who thrive on instability.
Israel vs. Iran: a view from Riyadh

1 week ago | arabnews.pk | Faisal Abbas

Israel vs. Iran: a view from Riyadh Faisal J. Abbas June 14, 2025 18:00 A building stands damaged in the aftermath of the Israeli strikes on Tehran on June 13, 2025. (Reuters) Short Urlhttps://arab.news/mwe4g As regional tensions rise following Israeli military strikes on Iran, Saudi Arabia remains committed to its longstanding principles: de-escalation, diplomatic solutions, and international cooperation.
Now is the time to recognize Palestine

3 weeks ago | arabnews.pk | Faisal Abbas

Now is the time to recognize Palestine Faisal J. Abbas June 02, 2025 22:07 Short Urlhttps://arab.news/6n7pv Israel’s blocking of an Arab delegation, preventing it from entering the West Bank at the weekend, is yet another reminder of the ugly, immoral nature of its ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands.
Lifting sanctions on Syria: a bet on a more prosperous future

1 month ago | arabnews.com | Faisal Abbas

Lifting sanctions on Syria: a bet on a more prosperous future Short Urlhttps://arab.news/ygru2 In a significant shift in US foreign policy, President Donald Trump has initiated the easing of long-standing sanctions on Syria, marking a pivotal moment for the war-torn nation and the broader Middle East. This decision comes in the wake of President Trump’s successful Gulf tour and discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Analysis: Trump’s Gulf visit was a strategic reset - not a bidding war

1 month ago | semafor.com | Faisal Abbas

From the moment Air Force One landed in Riyadh to its departure from Abu Dhabi, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour was met with a chorus of skepticism from several Western critics. Accusations of a “bidding war” between Gulf nations and “pay-to-play” politics dominated headlines, casting the trip as little more than transactional diplomacy devoid of strategic depth.
How optimistic should we be about the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement?

1 month ago | arabnews.jp | Faisal Abbas

Much talk and analysis has been generated by last week’s surprise Chinese-brokered Saudi-Iranian pact, but pundits need to remember that the agreement to restore diplomatic ties and refrain from intervention in each other’s affairs is still in its early days. We cannot expect four decades of Iranian hostility and investment in undermining regional security to disappear overnight. Nevertheless, it would have been irresponsible and illogical for the Saudi leadership not to give peace a chance.
Decoding Trump’s historic Riyadh speech

1 month ago | arabnews.com | Faisal Abbas

Decoding Trump’s historic Riyadh speech Short Urlhttps://arab.news/69y5n The words “historic” and “groundbreaking” are probably used far too often by pundits. Sometimes, they are awfully misplaced, such as when used in contexts like that of former US President Barack Obama’s Cairo speech of 2009.
Analysis: High hopes for Trump’s Middle East trip

1 month ago | semafor.com | Faisal Abbas

As Air Force One prepares to touch down in Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, US President Donald Trump is once again sending a bold signal about his foreign policy priorities. Unlike previous administrations that favored Europe or North America, Trump is doubling down on the Middle East — a region where his legacy remains deeply intertwined with security, diplomacy, and economic ambitions. Skeptics may dismiss this as a transactional move, arguing that Trump is chasing deals with whoever pays the most.