Weekly Briefing 28/07/25

Headlines

Can Somaliland’s Berbera Port anchor African trade security?, The National

Thoraya Abdullahi explores how the Port of Berbera, situated near the Bab al‑Mandeb strait in Somaliland, is evolving into a viable alternative to congested hubs like Djibouti amid rising security risks in the Red Sea region. Backed by significant investment—especially from UAE’s DP World, which has poured over US $400 million into the port—Berbera is positioning itself as a strategic gateway for African trade. It offers landlocked Ethiopia a second maritime route, potentially reducing its port dependence by up to 30%, while also providing resilience against Houthi‐related threats. Despite Somaliland’s unresolved international recognition status, analysts and stakeholders see Berbera’s growth as bolstering regional supply chain stability and economic integration.

Now Is the Time to Advance Middle East Integration, Heretige Foundation

Asher Fredman argues that the Middle East is at a pivotal moment to deepen regional integration, building upon the momentum of the 2020 Abraham Accords. He emphasizes the strategic importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a multilateral initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic cooperation between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe. Fredman suggests that the U.S., under President Trump's leadership, should convene an IMEC Leaders Summit before the end of 2025 to solidify this vision into a reality. He believes that successful collaboration on IMEC could serve as a model for groundbreaking multilateral cooperation in other crucial sectors, such as artificial intelligence.

Why Azerbaijan Belongs in the Abraham Accords, The Jerusulum Post

Michael Jankelowitz argues that Azerbaijan is a natural candidate for inclusion in the Abraham Accords due to its longstanding strategic ties with Israel. He highlights Azerbaijan's public praise of former President Trump as indicative of a deeper, decades-long relationship between the two nations. The article suggests that expanding the Accords to include Azerbaijan could enhance regional stability and strengthen alliances in the Middle East.

Bipartisan House bill would expedite arms sales to Abraham Accords partners, Jewish Insider

Marc Rod reports that on July 23, 2025, the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced a bipartisan bill—introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R‑NY) and over two dozen co-sponsors, to accelerate arms sales to countries participating in the Abraham Accords. Dubbed the “Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act”, the legislation aims to bolster U.S. engagement with emerging Middle East partners by streamlining defense cooperation, notably in security assistance, intelligence sharing, and expedited weapon exports. Proponents argue it reinforces trilateral ties and regional deterrence, though some Democrats voiced concerns about potentially weakening end-use oversight standards.

Gulf, Arab states celebrate Israel’s shift on Gaza aid as achievement, The Jerusalem Post

Seth J. Frantzman highlights the political and symbolic significance of Israel’s decision to ease restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza, which Gulf and other Arab states—particularly the UAE—have welcomed as a diplomatic milestone. It discusses how this shift is being interpreted as a success in regional diplomacy amid speculation about Saudi Arabia potentially moving toward normalization. The article argues that the aid policy change is seen by Arab capitals as a public-relations win for Gulf cooperation and could influence broader regional dynamics, including discussions around Gaza assistance and Middle East peace initiatives.

Is Pakistan Moving to Join the Abraham Accords?, NY Daily New

The article examines recent speculation about Pakistan’s potential engagement with the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. It notes that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged the possibility of discussing Pakistan’s inclusion in the accords if formally approached, stating the country would act in accordance with its national interest. However, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar firmly ruled out any move toward joining, reaffirming Pakistan’s long-standing alignment with the two-state solution and its refusal to recognize Israel until Palestinian statehood—especially East Jerusalem as its capital—is secured.

Must read

Normalization With Israel? The Saudi Crown Prince Has Much Bigger Plans, Haaretz

Annelle Sheline argues that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is aiming for more than just a limited rapprochement with Israel—he envisions full peace, contingent on a fair settlement for Palestinians. Public overtures toward normalisation, she suggests, mask a broader strategic calculus: Riyadh wants to anchor regional geopolitical influence in a post‑oil transition, but without shelving the Palestinian question. Ultimately, Saudi ambitions extend well beyond security coordination toward a comprehensive peace architecture that serves national modernisation goals.

Key Meetings

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to President Trumps golf course in Turnberry, Scotland on Monday, during the course of his private visit, ahead of the President’s landmark second State Visit to the UK in September.

George Deek, Israel’s outgoing ambassador to Azerbaijan, shared a farewell meeting with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Defence Secretary John Healey met his counterpart Yaşar Güler in Istanbul today to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on a future Typhoon jet exports deal.

UK and Egyptian governments officially announced they will elevate their diplomatic and economic ties into a Strategic Partnership. The formal launch is planned to coincide with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Cairo in autumn 2025.

In Parliament this week

The House of Commons and House of Lords are in recess. They will next sit on 1 September 2025.