A dialling down of Saudi-Iranian tensions could contribute to a reduction of tensions across the Middle East and North Africa. Mr. Abrams quipped about the UAE’s newly-found assertiveness in a mail to Mr. Al-Otaiba: "Jeez, the new hegemon! Well if the US won't do it, someone has to hold things together for a while.” Mr. Al-Otaiba responded: "Yes, how dare we! “Change in attitude, change in style, change in approach,” Mr. Al-Otaiba wrote to Mr. Ignatius. The visit also came as Saudi Arabia planned to execute 14 Shiites accused of attacking security forces in 2011 and 2012.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 16, 2017 03:22 UTC