December 2025
Strategic Trends
The diplomatic battle for the Western Sahara
Maghreb – Umberto Profazio
On 31 October, the UN Security Council voted to renew the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). For the first time, the resolution makes an explicit reference to the 2007 Autonomy Plan proposed by Morocco as a basis for settling the dispute.
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Royal-politik
Gulf – Umberto Profazio
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud travelled to Washington on 18 November 2025. The diplomatic hurdles that marked the bilateral relationship during Joe Biden’s presidency have been removed with the return of Trump.
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Under The Radar
President Meloni at the GCC Summit
Italian President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, attended the 46th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Bahrain as the guest of honour. The President’s full speech at the Summit is available via the link below.
Italian Government
NATO: Critical Undersea Infrastracture
NATO’s Critical Undersea Infrastructure-Network met in Rome to further integrate perspectives across civilian and military actors for enhancing the security of critical undersea infrastructure in the Meditearranean region and beyond.
NATO
Lebanon-Cyprus maritime demarcation deal
On the 26th of November, Lebanon and Cyprus signed a long-awaited maritime demarcation deal. The agreement paves the way for potential exploration of offshore gas fields and energy cooperation in the Mediterranean.
Al Arabiya
New Developments in Yemen
The Southern Transitional Council this month seized most of the provinces of Hadramout and Mahra, including crucial oil facilities and the border with Oman. The move raised fears that the relative calm in the country’s stalemated civil war might be shattered.
Associated Press News
Chinese Foreign Minister’s tour in the Middle East
During his three-nation tour in the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pressed the Gulf Cooperation Council to conclude long-running talks on a free trade agreement with Beijing.
Reuters
Egypt’s President meets Khalifa Haftar
Egypt’s President Al-Sisi met eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar on the 8th of December in Cairo. The meeting addressed the topics of Libya’s unity and sovereignty, the maritime border delimitation between the two countries, and the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Egypt’s Presidency
Do not miss our latest infographic on the Defense & Related Security Capacity Building Initiative!
“The DCB Initiative is probably the most ambitious instrument we have to support our partners”
– Giovanni Romani
Head of Middle East and North Africa Section, PASP NATO
