Bloomberg reports:

The Middle East, long known for rivalries, may be looking at a more peaceful future.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar held a summit in January 2021 and ten months later the UAE foreign minister met the Syrian president, while its de facto ruler paid a visit to Turkey. This trend looks set to resume this year, with further tightening of ties between Iran and Gulf states potentially easing regional sectarian conflicts.

This past week, a UAE renewables developer struck a deal with an Iranian energy company to construct gas-fired and solar power plants in southwestern Iran. The agreement comes after Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month discussed with Iran “serious cooperation’’ in economic ties and efforts to fight terrorism.

The success of talks to reinstate the 2015 nuclear deal could further ease enmities. Top diplomats from the European Union and Kremlin now see a good chance the accord, that would limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, may be salvaged. [Continue reading…]