Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 20/03/2026Happy to have been quoted in this story by @wsj.com www.wsj.com/finance/comm...wsj.comExclusive | Saudi Arabia Sees a Spike to $180 Oil if Energy Shock Persists Past AprilPrices at such a level could lead the kingdom to be vilified and trigger a recession or consumer changes that crush demand. 011
Reposted by Umar KarimAGSI @gulfstatesinst.bsky.social · 03/10/2025Saudi-Pakistani Defense Pact Highlights Shifts in Alignments @umerkarim.bsky.social agsi.org/analysis/sau...agsi.orgSaudi-Pakistani Defense Pact Highlights Shifts in Alignments - Arab Gulf States InstituteSaudi Arabia’s strategic defense agreement with Pakistan is part of a wider formation of alignments within the broader Muslim world meant to counter Israel’s expanding power and ambitions in the regio... 011
Reposted by Umar KarimSeb Bertoni @briqueseb.bsky.social · 26/07/2025Bon petit résumé macro-micro historique et géostratégique. Encore bravo et merci pour vos articles @orientxxi.bsky.social et spécialement, aujourd'hui, @umerkarim.bsky.social abonnez-vous L'Arabie saoudite menacée par l’hégémonie israélienne au Proche-Orient orientxxi.info/magazine/l-a...orientxxi.infoL'Arabie saoudite menacée par l’hégémonie israélienne au Proche-OrientMalgré d’indéniables succès stratégiques, l’Arabie saoudite est désormais confrontée à une remise en cause de sa doctrine sécuritaire en raison de (…) 101
Reposted by Umar KarimOrient XXI @orientxxi.bsky.social · 01/07/2025Malgré d’indéniables succès stratégiques, l’ #Arabiesaoudite est désormais confrontée à une remise en cause de sa doctrine sécuritaire en raison de l’émergence d’ #Israël comme seule puissance dominante de la région. Par Umer Karimorientxxi.infoL'Arabie saoudite menacée par l’hégémonie israélienne au Proche-OrientMalgré d’indéniables succès stratégiques, l’Arabie saoudite est désormais confrontée à une remise en cause de sa doctrine sécuritaire en raison de (…) 142
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 28/03/2025Shows the section of society opposing Erdogan remains the same one and some of the societal divides that had continued to polarize Turkish politics endure. 220
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Probably the last struggle between the Kemalists and Erdoganists ! 000
Reposted by Umar KarimIona Craig @ionacraig.com · 15/03/2025Marco Rubio claims US strikes are to stop Houthi attacks on global shipping. FYI: there have been no Houthi attacks on commercial vessels since last November and none targeting US Navy in the Red Sea since December. Attacks had stopped because of Gaza ceasefire. US is now making sure they restart. 1128
Reposted by Umar KarimJustin Salhani @justinsalhani.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Some Damascenes I’ve spoken to say they are frustrated by the focus on minorities rather than a focus on general improvement of services, security & conditions (and all who told me this were themselves minorities). 173
Reposted by Umar KarimSteven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 23/01/2025Important read from @qunfuz.bsky.social newlinesmag.com/argument/syr...newlinesmag.comSyria Needs a Strong Society, Not a StrongmanThe Islamism vs. secularism debate misses the point — the real struggle for the post-Assad state is democracy vs. authoritarianism 0126
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 13/01/2025This Afp story includes some of my thoughts as Saudi Arabia continues its positive but cautious approach towards the new rulers in Syria rfi.my/BJrfi.mySaudi Arabia urges Syria sanctions relief at talks with regional, EU diplomatsSaudi Arabia on Sunday called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria after meetings with top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe that focused on the war-ravaged country's future. 100
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 18/12/2024Yet near total silence and even acceptance of the very traditional Turkey-styled military backed and controlled political order in Pakistan and the crushing of a political movement which in many ways is aligned with that of Erdogan. Not to forget the total reversal in dealings with Arab gulf states 010
Reposted by Umar KarimAaron Y. Zelin @azelin.bsky.social · 17/12/2024Cafes Can’t Play Music, but the Water Taps Work: Life Under Syria’s Rebels www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/w...nytimes.comCafes Can’t Play Music, but the Water Taps Work: Life Under Syria’s RebelsThe Islamists who now lead Syria have ruled the city of Idlib for years. Residents say they imposed some strict laws, but also heeded some complaints and improved public services. 1236
Reposted by Umar KarimLeila @leilashami.bsky.social · 13/12/2024Celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Damascus. For many who lived under regime control this may have been their first demo, the first time to chant revolutionary songs out loud, the first time not to fear being shot. 3487120
Reposted by Umar KarimBruno Schmidt-Feuerheerd @brunofeuerheerd.bsky.social · 10/12/2024🚨 New article alert in @democratization.bsky.social: Why do authoritarian regimes maintain access to open U.S.-owned social media platforms like Twitter - despite their subversive potential - and how do pro-government supporters use them? 👇 OA link: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... Menasky 11810
Reposted by Umar KarimAhmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 09/12/2024Front pages of Saudi newspapers today leading with the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. 078
Reposted by Umar KarimRima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 24/11/2024Gunman shot dead, 3 police injured in shooting near Israeli embassy in Jordan Jordan's communications minister, Mohamed Momani, described the shooting as a terrorist attack that targeted public security forces in the country. www.reuters.com/world/middle...reuters.comJordanian police cordon off area near Israeli embassy after gunshots heard, witnesses sayJordanian police cordoned off an area in the vicinity of the Israeli embassy in the capital Amman after gunshots were heard, witnesses said on Sunday. 0169
Reposted by Umar KarimJon Gambrell @jongambrell.bsky.social · 24/11/2024Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killedapnews.comIsrael says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killedIsrael says the body of of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. 142
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 23/11/2024With this argument one has to ask against whom are the saudis buying so much of the weapons and seeking a security umbrella. Furthermore normalisation would have reignited the Saudis houthi problem. With active security vulnerabilities it’s difficult to argue for this Saudi regional role. 211
Reposted by Umar KarimQuentin de Pimodan @qdepim.bsky.social · 23/11/2024The real questions that must be keeping Riyadh's policy makers awake at night, are, how they will navigate Trump's anti China requirements from US partners, without infuriating Beijing ? What price Riyadh can ask DC for an alignement without antagonizing Trump too much ? 131
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 22/11/2024Good to see paywall gone for articles on Saudi Arabia on some leading platforms. I wish this policy continues and isn’t an exception for only specific pieces 000
Reposted by Umar KarimSimon Mabon @profmabon.bsky.social · 20/11/2024Latest article with Edward Wastnidge is now allocated to an issue and available open access: The resistance axis and regional order in the Middle East: nomos, space, and normative alternatives. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... Written before October 7 and the devastating events of the past year.tandfonline.comThe resistance axis and regional order in the Middle East: nomos, space, and normative alternativesA decade on from the Arab Uprisings, politics across the Middle East remains contested, both within and between states. As a mix of strategic alliance, security community, and ideational network, t... 061
Reposted by Umar KarimDr Andreas Krieg @andreaskrieg.bsky.social · 19/11/2024Some Hamas officials have arrived in Turkey but "not clear if permanent or temporary" A Turkish official denies that the Hamas office was to relocate to Turkey and that "Hamas officials occasionally visit Turkey" www.ft.com/content/66a2... 197
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 17/11/2024Some of the map patches on israeli soldiers showing areas part of the Kingdom as greater Israel might have further dented this cause. However with Netanyahu enjoying complete strategic autonomy over air and land across the whole levant might have also reduced Israel’s own urge to further normalize 041
Reposted by Umar KarimAhmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 14/11/2024Some decent MidEast Starter Packs out there already, so I thought I would be a Gulf-focused on here. Many accounts still inactive but hopefully will come alive as more people join: go.bsky.app/DhTLTCx 1144
Reposted by Umar KarimMondoweiss @mondoweiss.net · 21/02/2024The context for October 7 is apartheid, not the Holocaust The Israel lobby is attempting to indoctrinate Americans that the context for the October 7 attack is the Holocaust. This is a misrepresentation. The Palestinians had nothing to do with the Holocaust.mondoweiss.netThe context for October 7 is apartheid, not the HolocaustThe Israel lobby is attempting to indoctrinate Americans that the context for the October 7 attack is the Holocaust. This is a misrepresentation. The Palestinians had nothing to do with the Holocaust. 02413
Reposted by Umar KarimDana El Kurd @danaelkurd.bsky.social · 05/01/2024Based on interviews with those detained and released. www.972mag.com/israel-tortu...972mag.comInside Israel's torture camp for Gaza detaineesPalestinians arrested in the northern Gaza Strip describe how Israeli soldiers systematically abused civilians and combatants alike, from severe deprivation to brutal physical violence. 03627
Reposted by Umar KarimMegan O’Toole @meganotoole.bsky.social · 05/01/2024The UN says Gaza has become ‘uninhabitable’ as a result of Israel’s relentless bombing campaign: ‘Its people are witnessing daily threats to their very existence - while the world watches.’middleeasteye.netIsrael-Palestine live: UN says Gaza 'uninhabitable' as famine and disease spreadsHezbollah's Nasrallah says all of Lebanon could be exposed if it does not respond to Saleh al-Arouri killing 156
Reposted by Umar KarimMegan O’Toole @meganotoole.bsky.social · 28/12/2023Nearly half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is now at risk of famine, according to the UN: ‘Gaza is grappling with catastrophic hunger … The reality is, we need more aid. The only remaining hope is a humanitarian ceasefire.’middleeasteye.netIsrael-Palestine live: UN says 40 percent of Gaza's population at risk of famineOver 50 Palestinians killed in morning air strikes across Gaza, taking death toll to 21,300 210179
Reposted by Umar KarimMegan O’Toole @meganotoole.bsky.social · 22/12/2023Across Gaza, 90 percent of the population has been displaced since 7 October, as bad weather exacerbates concerns over the spread of disease.middleeasteye.netIsrael-Palestine live: UN Security Council vote set to take place as death toll mountsNearly 400 Palestinians killed in two days of heavy Israeli bombardment 0106
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 06/12/2023How many Palestinians have died in Gaza? Death toll explained www.reuters.com/world/middle... 120
Reposted by Umar KarimBruno Schmidt-Feuerheerd @brunofeuerheerd.bsky.social · 05/12/2023The UK govt introduces new policies to curb legal migration. This includes a 50% hike of the minimum salary to £38 (roughly the median UK wage) which is *a lot*. While overseas care workers are exempt, they will be banned from bringing their families. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-4878...bbc.co.ukNew UK visa rules: How is the government’s immigration policy changing?The government has announced changes to some of its rules on legal migration to the UK. 141
Reposted by Umar KarimMegan O’Toole @meganotoole.bsky.social · 04/12/2023Gaza’s health ministry says Israel is intentionally striking hospitals to shut them down, creating a ‘circle of death’ for wounded and displaced Palestinians. Only nine of Gaza’s 35 hospitals are still operational, and they have been ‘flooded with an influx of dead bodies.’aljazeera.comGaza hospitals ‘flooded with dead bodies’; Israel expands ground operationIsrael widens its ground offensive in southern Gaza as Palestinian officials say over 800 people killed since Saturday. 23425
Reposted by Umar KarimBruno Schmidt-Feuerheerd @brunofeuerheerd.bsky.social · 22/11/2023📢 I’m excited to share that my article on autocratic performance legitimacy and the COVID response policies in Saudi Arabia has been published in PoP (open-access)👇 doi.org/10.1017/S153...doi.org“The Pandemic Was a Global Exam, and Our Country Came in First”: Autocratic Performance Legitima...“The Pandemic Was a Global Exam, and Our Country Came in First”: Autocratic Performance Legitimacy in Saudi Arabia 62210
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 21/11/2023The Saudi approach towards the war in gaza is an interesting strategy of discursive flip flops focussed mainly on humanitarianism and less on politics. The political aspect has been mainly reactive and within bounds of diplomacy while humanitarian aspect seems to be much more concrete. 120
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 17/11/2023So Turki alsheikh has disabled comments over his tweets on twitter now 010
Reposted by Umar KarimMira Al Hussein @miraalhussein.bsky.social · 12/11/2023There were also palace whispers about pitching Sari Nusseibeh (brother of UAE State Minister Zaki Nusseibeh and uncle of UAE’s UN ambassador Lana Nusseibeh) as the next PA head, but yeah, sure. 041
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 12/11/2023So it seems some idea is being under process of appointing dahlan as the new police in chief in gaza once the israeli offensive ends. Makes me remember how soviets appointed one after another such person in Afghanistan and what happened to the last guy they put in power. 010
Reposted by Umar KarimMegan O’Toole @meganotoole.bsky.social · 06/11/2023More United Nations aid workers have been killed in the Gaza war than in any comparable period in the organisation’s history, amid an ongoing ‘crisis of humanity’ in the besieged enclave.aljazeera.com‘Nightmare’: UN chief Guterres says Gaza civilians must be protectedAntonio Guterres reiterates ceasefire call as death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7 passes 10,000. 5388229
Reposted by Umar KarimMira Al Hussein @miraalhussein.bsky.social · 06/11/2023From NYUAD cancelling a planned vigil for Gaza last week to the American University of Sharjah supporting and celebrating everything Palestine, while also mourning an alumni killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. We are truly emirates apart. 1113
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 06/11/2023Jordan air dropping medical aid to gaza shows the intensity of political pressure on its ruling cadres 000
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 06/11/2023After all that what has happened and what’s happening still the American focus in the Middle East hasn’t moved away from expanding Abrahamic Accords. Probably the region lives in a different dimension and those in some govt quarters in a different one ! 000
Reposted by Umar KarimMax Berger @maxberger.bsky.social · 06/11/2023Joe Biden [handing Bibi Netanyahu a giant $14 billion dollar check with zero restrictions]: gosh, there’s just nothing I can do to stop this guy!washingtonpost.comWhite House frustrated by Israel’s onslaught but sees few optionsAs U.S. calls for a bombing pause have little effect, the shape of post-war Mideast — and the U.S.’s role in it — grows starkly uncertain. 832077
Reposted by Umar KarimDana El Kurd @danaelkurd.bsky.social · 06/11/2023anyway in case you're wondering what palestinians (in and outside gaza) are thinking: www.instagram.com/p/CzL05_Gt9h... (and you should care - because without the palestinian public's buy in there won't be peace)instagram.comBachar on Instagram: "A statement from Gaza rejecting the exploitation of Palestinian blood for poli...21K likes, 110 comments - ibnalmajdal on November 3, 2023: "A statement from Gaza rejecting the exploitation of Palestinian blood for political leverage and ..." 24614
Umar Karim @umerkarim.bsky.social · 03/11/2023When one group doesn’t even acknowledge the right of existence of another group why would they be expected to behave any different particularly once they have all the geography ‘legally’ by themselves. This will only further strengthen the apartheid nerve of such a one state. 000
Reposted by Umar KarimPOLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 03/11/2023UK Labour Party peer Alf Dubs, who fled Nazi occupation and came to Britain on the Kindertransport in 1939, has called for a ceasefire in Gaza.politico.euAlf Dubs — Holocaust survivor and Labour peer — calls for ceasefire in GazaKindertransport arrival defies Keir Starmer on POLITICO’s Westminster Insider podcast. 01810
Reposted by Umar KarimNew Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · 01/11/2023The Palestinian scholar @danaelkurd.bsky.social learned about the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks while visiting the Jewish Museum of Berlin. For New Lines, she describes the whiplash of absorbing atrocities across multiple decades and reflects on worlds overturned.newlinesmag.comMemory Voids and Role ReversalsA Palestinian scholar describes the whiplash of learning about the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks while visiting the Jewish Museum of Berlin, and reflects on moral juxtapositions and worlds overturned 0148
Reposted by Umar KarimMira Al Hussein @miraalhussein.bsky.social · 01/11/2023Houthis flying rockets just around COP28 is exactly the kind of insecurity the UAE is currently inviting. 011
