The US naval build-up in the region may transform as large-scale offensive operations and aims to rework the geopolitical alignments

The bottom line is how the IMEC idea on paper can be turned into reality. Quite obviously, the IMEC is anchored on the old US geopolitical strategy of divide-and-rule in the Middle East. But the Western domination of the Middle East cannot be revived with the colonial era toolbox in the coming era of multipolarity

The Saudi and Iranian embassies had already resumed operations over the previous months. The developments are a result of an agreement in March which was brokered with Chinese mediation

Despite repeated high-level visits, US officials have so far failed to convince the Saudis to normalize relations with Israel. The recent visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also confirms speculation that Gulf Cooperation Council countries are striving for more autonomy

Political groups and parties elected to the parliament in the last elections were first unable to cobble up a majority, and after Michel Aoun’s term ended in October, no cabinet could be formed without a president. However, over the past few months, the candidature of Suleiman Frangieh for president has gained traction

The traditional US approach has been to whip up Iranophobia to rally Gulf states but that ploy won’t work anymore. The Gulf states are steadily expanding their strategic autonomy and pursuing independent foreign policies to advance their national interests and promote peace and reconciliation in the region

Both the countries signed numerous agreements to boost their economic cooperation and called it a joint effort to face the impact of unilateral sanctions imposed by the US and its allies on their economies

The Oman-mediated peace talks to end the nine-year-old war in Yemen received a boost after China brokered a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia last month. Media reports say Saudi Arabia and the Houthis agreed on the draft of a ceasefire agreement last month, which lays out the plan for a more detailed negotiation

The announcement came during a meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries in Beijing, less than a month after the historic China-brokered agreement to restore bilateral relations was announced

Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia may invite Syria to participate at the upcoming Arab League summit in Riyadh next month. Syria was suspended from the 22-member League in 2011

Saudi Arabia’s decision to join SCO, a strategic initiative led by China and Russia, is being viewed as another instance of its gradual shift towards the East. The Gulf country is also attempting to join BRICS Plus

The China-brokered rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia may signify the onset of peace and stability in the larger West Asian region, as well as blunt the influence of imperialist interventions