For years Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
have projected an image of stability in a turbulent region.
But the war in Iran has put that reputation in jeopardy.
Iran threatens the Gulf States and the Strait of Hormuz.
In Yemen, Houthi rebels are gaining ground.
And America, the Gulf's traditional protector, is wavering.
Now, you'd have thought the Emiratis and the Saudis
would be working together to make themselves safe,
but instead, they're pursuing rival ambitions across the Red Sea,
aggravating some of the world's worst wars.
Why have the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa
become a battleground for Gulf rivalries?
And how can the Emiratis and the Saudis
find a way to work together?
I'm Edward Carr, The Economist's deputy editor,
and welcome back to The Insider.
So, to discuss this, I have Robert Guest,
my fellow deputy editor;
Josie Delap, our Middle East editor;
Lina Schipper, our Africa editor;