Dr. Cinzia Bianco @Cinzia_Bianco Twitter profile

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

4 months

UNREAL!💥A book from my @GulfExeter PhD thesis is out by @ManchesterUP ! After 8 years of research, endless hours in the library & hundreds of interviews in #Riyadh , #UAE , #Oman , #Kuwait , #Qatar , #Bahrain ! Recommend it NOW to your institution/librarian:

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

You can tell *a lot* by who receives a guest in #SaudiArabia . #Biden will be received by deputy governor of #Mecca . This is a *very* bad sign. Reminds of #Obama being received by governor of #Riyadh . #Trump was of course received by #MbS himself.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

#SultanQaboos of #Oman died. The royal family chose Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al-Said to succeed. Who is he? What does it mean? A thread 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

⚠️⚡️BREAKING: ALL #Gulf monarchies (including #UAE who abstained on previous #UNSC resolution) voted WITH the #US & AGAINST #Russia -n invasion of #Ukraine . #SaudiArabia #UNGA Tables already turning? This is perhaps the first time they acknowledge the magnitude of the crisis.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

BREAKING: #UAE President #KhalifabinZayed just died. Crown Prince of #AbuDhabi since 1969, and Abu Dhabi Ruler & President since his father Sheikh Zayed died in 2004. The #BurjKhalifa was initially named to honor him. A few words on him + what happens now in a thread. 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

Haifa alJedea is the new #SaudiArabia ambassador to the #EU . Brilliant, a bright young woman! Daughter of diplomat, she grew up internationally (incl. #Switzerland & #Sweden ), studied media & diplomacy in #NewYork , worked formative years at #UN & #US Embassy & on #Vision2030 .

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

Look what I found inside my #EasterEggs ! 🥳 Me & Prof. Matteo Legrenzi co-authored the first-ever book in Italian on geopolitics of the #Gulf monarchies from #ArabSpring to today 👉🏻Focus on #Italy / #Europe pov 👉🏻Chapters on #Iran , #Libya , #energy OUT NOW:

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

9 months

Today, #Meloni hosted a Conference on Development and Migrations in #Rome . Here is the family pic with the participants. #Italy invited several close #Arab & #African partners and, of course, #EU leaders. Check who showed up: #UAE ’s President Mohammad bin Zayed ( #MbZ ). Why? 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

Today the #UAE must make a choice on #Putin ’s invasion of #Ukraine . #AbuDhabi has a seat at the #UN Security Council and today there will be a vote. The UAE has been working with #Russia in #Libya & beyond. They see the #US less important in the future. But how about today?

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

🚨BREAKING🚨 Dhi Yazan, the eldest son of #SultanHaitham is officially the Crown Prince of #Oman . Investors long asked Oman to institute a stable succession system, but it was considered risky to upset the balance within the royal family. Not any more apparently. Some thoughts 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

#SaudiArabia Ambassador to #Yemen Mohammad al-Jaber in #Sanaa yesterday, meeting #Houthi leadership. We are approaching a signature. May this #Easter / #Ramadan crossover bring the people of Yemen closer to peace. (via @HeshamAlghannam )

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

# #Iranian state media BREAKING NEWS: #Iran and #SaudiArabia agreed to re-establish ties and re-open embassies. 🇮🇷 🇸🇦 IF confirmed, this was months in the making but held back by the Saudis, asking for big #Yemen move from #Tehran . IF confirmed, #Yemen news coming soon, too.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

Indeed #Putin already lost the political (and information) war over his invasion of #Ukraine . The #UNSC resolution condemning #Russia had EIGHTY co-sponsors. Note: the only #Arab country is #Kuwait - maybe the strongest partner of #US & #EU , who knows what being invaded means.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

#France and the #US had the same intelligence on #Afghanistan , but Paris analysts envisaged the worst case scenario right away, while Washington was overly-optimistic. It’s the analysis, not the information, that makes the difference.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Receiving compliments on my work from the likes of Prof. Tim Niblock and Prof. Matteo Legrenzi has been the best way to close 3 years of 'blood, sweat and tears'. Thanks @UniofExeter & one great @GRVStansfield . #PhDone #YesIsaidDone #Dr #phdlife 👊

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

#Qatar made a bet on #Afghanistan and the #Talibans and it is paying off. This is a bit controversial but I think many players will actually be eager to engage with the Talibans now and see if they are reasonable or useful. Most of these players will need the Qatari channel.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

First #Greece , now #Cyprus . We are seeing #SaudiArabia and #UAE getting closrr and closer to #Turkey 's rivals in #EastMed . This is a serious trend and only the beginning, as #Turkey rises to a level 1 rival for #Riyadh and #AbuDhabi . (while remains level 1 partner for #Qatar !)

Asharq Al-Awsat English

@aawsat_eng

4 years

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Foreign Minister of #Cyprus

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

11 months

🚨 NEW PAPER OUT How to reconcile #Europe ’s #climate goals w/ #energy security in relations with the #GCC states? How to manage key divergences at #COP28 effectively? Some answers & policy ideas for the #EU & #European govts in my @ECFRMena paper: 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Thrilled I joined the @MiddleEastInst ’s Defense and Security Program as a Non-Resident Scholar. Aims is contributing to the re-thinking of transatlantic security cooperation, from a European perspective, in the #ArabianPeninsula and the #Gulf . Will complement nicely my @ecfr work

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

First, the royal family was quick in agreeing to a successor. This portrays externally a show of unity that is very important in a volatile region and vis-à-vis concerns that neighbors like #SaudiArabia and #UAE would have likes to interfere in the process. #Oman closed ranks. 2/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

#UAE ’s National Security Advisor (& security czar) Tahnoon bin Zayed met with #Turkey ’s President #Erdogan today and tweeted it with a big smile. When TbZ moves, it is serious. This is the most significant event in UAE-Turkey relations in years.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

It’s out! 🎊 My new @ecfr paper on how #Europe can ride the #climate momentum in the #Gulf deploying its #GreenDeal to meet #NetZero & #geopolitical objectives in the region ➡️ Read b4 #COP26 #COP26Glasgow Few take-aways 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

An diesem Donnerstag wird der Sultan von #Oman #Deutschland zu seinem ersten offiziellen Besuch überhaupt besuchen und #Bundeskanzler #Scholz treffen. Warum hat Scholz Sultan Haitham eingeladen, wo er doch sehr mit der #Ukraine beschäftigt ist? Aus zwei Gründen:

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Just heard an Emirati strategist referring to the #UAE as ‘not just a country, but a regional project’ and the #UAE - #Israel normalization agreement as ‘sending a strong deterrence message to competing regional projects, #Iran and #Turkey .’ Food for thought #AbrahamAccord

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

Ties between monarchies continue to be strengthened as always were. Announced today: #Jordan Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II engaged to Rajwa Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif, related to #SaudiArabia royals, via her mother’s links to the #Sudairi clan.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

The #UAE ’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, (left) has left his position. He has been in position since 2008 and a pivotal figure internationally. He will be replaced by Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan al-Nahyan (right). Many reasons, mostly internal. Thoughts 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

We can safely say I have been waiting for this email for over three years. I feel over the moon! And thankful, to myself and to all those who supported and inspired me. #PhD #phdchat #submitted @UniofExeter

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

#SayyidHaitham was among those considered likely successors of #SultanQaboos for years. He has a quiet personality and an immense culture. Oxford-educated, very close to the British royals, he lacks the military background that other major candidates had. This sends a message! 3/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

This is pretty accurate. Strongmen in the #MiddleEast are thinking about what a #Biden victory would mean. The #UAE is actually planning for it. In #SaudiArabia , #MbS is more insecure

US and Middle East: strongmen contemplate post-Trump era

Leaders who invested heavily in their relationship with the president are having to consider the possibility of a Biden win

www.ft.com

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

📢 My @ecfr policy paper is out! 📢 Proud to share the outcome of months-long work and years-long thinking on how to strengthen #Europe 's geopolitics in the #Gulf w/an eye to #Libya , #Yemen , #Iran , #Iraq . A thread w/major takeaways. Read the paper here: 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Strong indications of small breakthrough on the #Qatar crisis - with a provisional/trial framework for a bilateral détente btwn #SaudiArabia & #Qatar in the last phases of negotiations. We are closer than in Dec 2019, but the content discussed is the same so what changed? 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

#UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoon bin Zayed meeting with #Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad in #Doha . This comes after he met with #Turkey ’s President #Erdogan . Like #SaudiArabia , #AbuDhabi is testing waters to move beyond the polarization that characterized the past few years.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

5 years

Hi everyone, as of today I am starting a Research Fellowship at the European Council on Foreign Relations ( @ecfr ) and I am really excited about it!! In the next few months, I will continue working on the #Gulf (especially the #GCC countries), but from a #European perspective 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

7 months

#SaudiArabia ’s CP #MbS & #Iran President #Raisi have their first-ever phone call agreeing to stand by #Palestine and stop the attack on #Gaza . Fully as expected: the Saudi deal to normalize with #Israel , already difficult to happen in 2024, is delayed until further notice.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

5 years

Tonight I dreamt of Sultan Qaboos of #Oman giving me advices and critiques on the Oman chapter of my PhD thesis. How worried should I be? #phdlife

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

8 months

The #India -Middle East-Europe corridor can strengthen #Europe ’s geo-economic influence in the #Gulf & wider #MENA But it is important that Europeans keep few things in mind as they work towards #IMEC ’s action plan NEW @ecfr short piece by me & @jbdacey :

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

BREAKING: French media report that one of the suspected killers of #SaudiArabia journalist #JamalKhashoggi was arrested at the Roissy airport near #Paris today as he was about to board a flight to #Riyadh . #France ( #EU #MagnitskyAct ?)

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

BREAKING: King Salman issued a royal decree formally appointing Crown Prince #MbS to the post of Prime Minister, a position hitherto held by the King. MbS is now head of #SaudiArabia ’s government de jure not just de facto.

واس الأخبار الملكية

@spagov

2 years

#أمر_ملكي: أولاً: يكون صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير محمد بن سلمان بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود ولي العهد رئيساً لمجلس الوزراء؛ استثناءً من حكم المادة (السادسة والخمسين) من النظام الأساسي للحكم، ومن الأحكام ذوات الصلة الواردة في نظام مجلس الوزراء. #واس

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Very big news coming from #Oman ! #SultanHaitham relinquished his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and named Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, long MOFA SG as #Oman 's first FM! As it was long rumored, Yousef bin Alawi, a key person in #Oman - #Iran relations, has retired!

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

The #EuropeanParliament overwhelmingly votes in favour of designating the entire #IRGC as a terrorist organization. #Iran #EU

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Breaking: Emir of #Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, 91 years old and with history of heart surgeries, delegates some responsibilities to Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf as he is admitted to the hospital. Precisely what the #Gulf *does not* need at the moment. #GCC

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

#Italy ’s PM said “If #Iran doesn't change its stance (on killing protesters), Italy will consult w/allies to take more effective action." As said before, #Meloni is tougher on Iran than Italian institutions (and her own FM) are, also due to her chief diplo advisor influence.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

📢 NEW ACADEMIC PAPER 📢 Thrilled to contribute an article to the special issue of @intl_spectator (published by @IAIonline ) dedicated to the #GCC , w/guest editors Layla Saleh & Larbi Sadiki. The article explores different security perceptions of #Iran . 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Whose Ambassador is still in #Afghanistan ? IN: 🇪🇺, 🇫🇷, 🇬🇧, 🇷🇺, 🇨🇳, 🇮🇷 OUT: 🇺🇸, 🇸🇦, 🇳🇱, 🇮🇹 List is not complete obviously, so feel free to add flags

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

So much politics bubbling below the surface in the #Gulf atm. Exchanges of letters, visits, calls bilaterally btwn #Kuwait , #Qatar , #Oman , #Bahrain , #SaudiArabia . No info of #UAE involvement so far, interestingly. Some say it's about #GCC crisis. Maybe, but epicenter seems #Oman .

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

#MerryChristmas from my family to yours. All in order here in #Italy : Nonna has been cooking since morning, puppy is snoring by the fireplace and house is filled with voices and laughs.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

Feels pretty great to be back on the road in the #MENA region. First stop: a few days in #Turkey . Already had super insightful meetings in #Istanbul !

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

I see many negatively surprised that #Oman hosted #Assad . This is because in the West many misunderstood Omani strategic drivers. It never was about moralism. It is about prioritizing non-interference in domestic affairs and rejecting conflict between nations at all costs. #Syria

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

BREAKING: #Germany & #Qatar sign #LNG deal under negotiation for months! Under the 15-year long-term contract #Germany will be supplied with about 2 million tons of LNG, starting in 2026. ⛽️ Congrats to 🇩🇪 & 🇶🇦 - as expected, going beyond petty #WorldcupQatar2022 controversies.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

The moment we were waiting for has come. New #Kuwait Emir, #SheikhNawaf , nominates his brother Mishal Al-Ahmad as Crown Prince. He is a security person, w/past experience in the Interior Ministry and Deputy Chief of the Kuwaiti National Guard since 2004. Some thoughts. 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

Big day today for #Europe - #Gulf relations as the #EU will release its new #GCC strategy & its new #energy strategy ( #REPowerEU ). We will be able to anticipate a lot on the short/medium-term future of relations between the two sides from thee two documents. ⏰⏳

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Happy #FestaDellaRepubblica to the most extraordinary country in the world! #Italy 🇮🇹💚🤍❤️

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

#Europe wants to work w/ #Biden on the #JCPOA and a security dialogue btwn the #GCC countries & #Iran . But what are the core interests & red lines to get the buy-in of the #Gulf monarchies? How to navigate them? Find out in my new @ECFRMena policy paper 1/

Gulf of difference: How Europe can get the Gulf monarchies to pursue peace with Iran

The arrival of the Biden administration in Washington, and the perception of US disengagement from the region, offers an opportunity for Europeans to help de-escalate tensions between GCC states and…

ecfr.eu

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

It’s official: the #UAE will host #COP 28. The UAE, like others, sees political opportunities in #climate . So now it’s time for the #EU to push the #Gulf monarchies to cooperate more on the #GreenDeal . My latest @ecfr paper suggests how: #COP28 #COP28UAE

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@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

BREAKING: It looks like #MBZ & #Erdogan also discussed #energy connectivity, ie #pipelines . Could this be a first step to include #Turkey in the #EastMed project? I wrote that if you make #EastMed #hydrogen -ready, you need a more inclusive consortium: #UAE

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

7 months

It is impossible that #Hamas and its backers did not anticipate what kind of reaction #Israel would have. So either Hamas’ goal was to create hell on earth for #Palestinians in #Gaza or there is something big that we are missing.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

The biggest challenge of all will be to win the hearts and minds of #Oman -is. #SultanQaboos was the closest figure possible to a Father of the Nation. He was seen as the embodiment of the Sultanate national identity. He forged his legitimacy with two seminal conflicts....8/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Still no public congrats from #SaudiArabia to #JoeBiden . Massive mistake imho, but here’s why: - #DonaldTrump a close ally, but also will be calling the shots until Jan in a heated region - Biden had tough words on #KingSalman & #MbS . MbS wants to mend but by saving face/pride.

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@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

I had an in-depth conversation on #Oman , #SultanHaitham , the Sultanate's current challenges (including #COVID__19 & #OilCrash ), relations w/ #UK , #Europe , #US and regional geopolitics w/ @BillLaw49 for @arabdigest podcast. Listen to it here: @ECFRMena

Oman: A New Sultan And New Challenges

The ECFR's Cinzia Bianco discusses the challenges Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarek faces in an increasingly volatile neighbourhood. Can he maintain the legacy of Sultan Qaboos and continue to steer the

soundcloud.com

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Finally! #Italy will allow travel from other #EU countries from June 3, as #COVID19 largely under control! Looking forward to go back and visit my home region of #Calabria (pics) #Europe #coronavirus

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

Only ⁦ @stephenkalin could succeed getting this out of me:⁩ “If we all keep saying that they’re just flirting with others to get us back, we will be comfortably sleepwalking into the end of Western hegemony in the Gulf and therefore the wider #MENA ”

Saudi Crown Prince Test Drives Nonaligned Foreign Policy

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is making foreign-policy and business moves that test whether it is possible not to take sides in the rivalries between the U.S., Russia and China.

www.wsj.com

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

#SayyidHaitham has been also Chairman of the Committee for #Oman Vision 2040. This is crucial because socioeconomic reforms and reforms of political economy are the most important challenges for Oman, struggling with high deficit, international debt, youth unemployment. 6/

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@Cinzia_Bianco

5 years

Today #Italy 's Phd #GiulioRegeni would have celebrated his 31st birthday if 3 years ago he hadn't been disappeared and tortured to death in #Egypt . We will not forget you Giulio. @perRegeni @amnesty

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Concerning to see #US officials behaving as if the fall of #Afghanistan to the #Talibans is not a threat to national security - for many #NATO countries. As of one of their first acts, the Talibans freed thousands of prisoners - many of them #AlQaeda & #ISIS fighters.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

#SayyidHaitham has instead a background as Minister of Culture and Heritage, several positions in the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the course of decades, during which he often chaired cabinet meetings. He knows how to navigate royalpolitik and the Palaces. #Oman 5/

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@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Truly fascinating story linking #tech & #geopolitics , and involving #Gulf . #Google sponsors new undersea fiber optic cable connecting #Europe & #Asia , specifically #Italy & #India , via the #ArabianPeninsula . Should cut costs by 50% & really increase efficiency. Few details 👇 1/

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@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

What a game! Congrats to #SaudiArabia ’s team for a stunning performance and amazing & well-deserved victory! #KSAARG Great to see so much joy from my friends 💚 Alf Mabrouk!

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

As expected, #MbZ appoints his son #KhaledbinMohammad as Crown Prince of the #UAE . A jump towards the next generation. However, as expected, #MbZ also appointed his prominent brothers to new roles, keeping some power-sharing balance, but only within the Al-Nahyan clan.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

BREAKING: #SaudiArabia finally got rid of #Hadi , who was extremely problematic as a potential leader of #Yemen . Today in #Riyadh power was transferred to an 8-men Council: 4 very close to #UAE , including the #STC , 2 from #GPC , 2 from #Islah . Trying to forge anti- #Houthi unity.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

5 years

BREAKING: #UK PhD student #MatthewHedges sentenced to *life in prison* in #AbuDhabi . Outrageous, shameful and a confirmation that the #UAE is not safe for academics as @MESA_1966 said. Can international Universities maintain programs there? Will @foreignoffice and @eu_eeas act?

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

Interesting to hear @MWLOrg_en , efforts against #extremism , including via the #MakkahCharter signed by thousands of #Muslim scholars and a public visit to #Auschwitz . Appreciation for the #EU ’s quick reaction to #Quran_burning w/appointment of Coordinator to combat #Islamophobia

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

You're rightly absorbed by the #IsraelPalestine events, but I just saw MEE reporting from a high-level #Iraq source on the new round of intelligence talks btwn #Iran & #SaudiArabia . Their account matches what I heard and it is NOT good. A quick thread 1/

EXCLUSIVE: Iran asks Saudi Arabia to help sell its oil in Iraq talks

Riyadh asks Tehran to stop Houthi attacks on Saudi sites as secretive talks between the two rivals continue in Baghdad

www.middleeasteye.net

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

So nobody could fill #SultanQaboos shoes, he was #Oman 's leader for over four decades. Let's wait and see how Omanis welcome their new Sultan 10/

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@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Important summit in #Baghdad today, on Cooperation and Partnership in the region. Few thoughts: The host is #Iraq ’ PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who cut out for himself a role as regional mediator, between #Arab and #Iranian side. He believes Iraqi stability is tied to the region’s. 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

#Qatar just publicly offered to mediate talks btwn the #GCC & #Iran and #US & #Iran . Why did they do that? Will the offer be accepted by #SaudiArabia , #Bahrain , the #UAE ? What about the chief mediators, #Oman and #Kuwait ? Answers in my @ECFRMena paper:

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

‼️ #SaudiArabia joins the #Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( #SCO ) as a dialogue partner. ‼️ #Riyadh is also considering to join #BRICS but that remains unlikely, for now.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Moreover there were two younger candidates in the mix. Choosing #SayyidHaitham (born 1954) sends a message of continuity not one of youthful change/disruption. On regional and foreign policy it is this very likely that #Oman will behave very similarly #Iran #SaudiArabia 4/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

After 28 days with no contagions, my hone province of #Crotone in #Calabria has been declared today the first #COVID19 -free area of #Italy ! #coronavirus

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Next Tuesday I will be speaking about the #Gulf monarchies in the #EastMed at this great ⁦ @GulfStatesInst ⁩ event w/⁦ @AliBakeer ⁩ & ⁦ @michaeltanchum ⁩ and ⁦ @Ibishblog ⁩. Register at the link! #EasternMediterranean #GCC ⁦ @ECFRMena ⁩

Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean: Where Do the Gulf States Fit In?

On September 29, AGSIW hosted a virtual panel discussion on Gulf interests and involvement in the eastern Mediterranean basin.

agsiw.org

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Why did #SaudiArabia welcome #Russia -n officials? First, it was a reaction to perceived #US disengagement from its role as security guarantor for #Riyadh . Second, they hope #Moscow has influence over #Tehran and can ask #Iran - #Houthi to stop their daily attacks from #Yemen .

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

It would appear that #Kuwait 's Emir, Sabah al-Sabah, 91yo, died. My condolences! The region looses the only remaining ruler who was personally involved in building the #GCC and in regional diplomacy, ie with #Iran , #Iraq and #Qatar . A delicate time in Kuwaiti politics now. #Gulf

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

Hey all - personal announcement! After almost 10 years living between #London & #Berlin , I moved back to #Italy and, specifically, to #Milan . I will continue my work with @ECFRMena , AND I will continue to travel to Berlin (& London, Paris, Bruxelles etc) often. But new HQ! 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

#MbS inviting both security czar Tahnoon bin Zayed and Emir Tamim bin Hamad is #SaudiArabia trying to build on the #UAE - #Qatar opening. #Riyadh wants to move away from exclusive special relationship w/ #AbuDhabi towards a more centrist position in a diversified regional network.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

BREAKING: #Turkey & #UAE to sign a cooperation agreement on marine ports! 🌊 This would be top for #AbuDhabi , that has been slowly but surely designing a new geopolitical strategy centered on the maritime domain and strategic infrastructures. More here:

Emirati DPlomacy and Chinese BRInkmanship

The coronavirus pandemic that originated in China could not have come at a worse moment for the UAE. Indeed, before its outbreak, relations between the UAE and China were in an excellent place....

www.mei.edu

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

5 years

#Algeri -ans protesting against #Bouteflika in Central #London right now #Algeria #Algerie #Algerie_manifestation

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Proud to launch new @ECFRMena paper mapping the #Turkey & #UAE rivalry, implications for #Europe & ideas to contain those. Written w/ @asliaydintasbas , to provide both Turkish & Emirati povs in one place! Read it here: Thread with main findings 1/

Useful enemies: How the Turkey-UAE rivalry is remaking the Middle East

Instead of using the UAE to push back against Turkey or vice versa, Europe should develop its own strategy on their rivalry…

ecfr.eu

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

You are a feast for my tired eyes, #Calabria ! #Italy #30giugno Finally beyond #lockdown , perhaps beyond #COVID19

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

The #Gulf monarchies depend on oil for economic survival, #China is their single most important client. The #Gulf monarchies depend on external players for security survival, and they no longer trust the #US . Keep this in mind and then read this ⬇️

‘More of China, less of America’: how superpower fight is squeezing the Gulf

Caught between Washington and Beijing, Middle East states struggle to balance relations

www.ft.com

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

5 years

My first for @lobelog on 'Tensions Rising among #Morocco , #SaudiArabia , and the #UAE '. The speed at which relations are deteriorating is astonishing. It is counterproductive for all involved. The latest big issue involves #Mauritania and sea geopolitics.

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

MY NEW @ECFRMena IS OUT! How #Europe can support (very fragile) de-escalation btwn the #Gulf monarchies, #Iraq & #Iran , endangered by #JCPOA collapse AND preserve the #climate agenda amid the scramble for #hydrocarbons from the #GCC : 🔍📖➡️ READ: 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

4 years

Very nice to see you again, #Rome ! #Italy #Italia

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Soon we will know the extent of the #Biden admin hostility vs #MbS . But I already see people describing this as a step towards a “soft coup” removing MbS in favor of senior rivals from within the House of Saud. Can I say: hold your horses? #SaudiArabia #US

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

#OPEC + meeting just ended. It lasted only 13 minutes. NO extra #oil outside of the schedule agreed in 2020, despite sky-high prices. Not even a MENTION of the #Russia invasion of #Ukraine . #SaudiArabia still NOT interested in helping #Biden domestically or the #EU vs #Russia .

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

5 years

Tweeps, something is up with #SaudiArabia + #UAE with #Morocco . A few days ago the #UAE Ambassador to #Rabat was 'urgently' asked back to #AbuDhabi . Now, in isolation, this doesn't mean much but there is a bit of context which I will recap in this thread 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

When I was in #Riyadh in March I told my interlocutors that the #Russia invasion of #Ukraine could be a “make-it-or-break-it” point to turn a page in #West - #SaudiArabia relations. I think we can now say it’s “break-it.” Highest level of toxicity ever w/ #US

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

NOW ONLINE🌍 @ECFR is proud to launch 'Women of Middle East Network for Peacebuilding'. If you want diverse & fresh input from regional experts for your next panel or paper -- this list has you covered! Explore our database & find your expert here (1) ⤵️

Women of Middle East network for peacebuilding

The conversation around achieving peace and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa needs to become more inclusive and diverse, through an injection of fresh ideas and perspectives from…

ecfr.eu

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

3 years

Hi from Camigliatello ( #Sila , #Calabria , #Italy ) where I managed to find some peace amid the chaos of this terrible year. If you can, spend some time in nature. #COVID19

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

BREAKING: Greatly influential and controversial cleric Yousuf al-Qaradawi died. Chairman of International Union of Muslim Scholars (widely considered equivalent to #MuslimBrotherhood ), he lived in #Doha ( #Qatar ) since 1977, becoming the symbol of Qatari support for the #MB 1/

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

2 years

Joint venture of #Greece Depa and #Italy Edison launch tender processes on #EastMediterranean #pipeline that will carry gas from #Israel , #Cyprus and #Egypt to the #EU , via #Greece & #Italy . As expected, #Russia indirectly revived #EastMed . Hopefully, it will be #hydrogen -ready

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Dr. Cinzia Bianco

@Cinzia_Bianco

1 year

According to prominent #SaudiArabia analyst, there will soon be an announcement on the extension/expansion of the truce in #Yemen until December 2023 + signing a framework for political solution + re-starting oil export. If confirmed, fundamental step for #Saudi - #Iran deal.

د. هشام بن عبدالعزيز الغنام

@HeshamAlghannam

1 year

أنباء عن التوصل إلى اتفاق لتمديد الهدنة في اليمن حتى نهاية ديسمبر إضافة إلى توسيعها، وسيترافق مع التمديد التوقيع على إطار عام للحل السياسي. إضافة إلى استئناف تصدير النفط من الموانئ اليمنية وتوحيد العملة وصرف مرتبات الموظفين في مناطق الحكومة الشرعية والحوثيين.

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