Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes After Doha: What’s next for the Arab world?
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Dec 19, 2025 Ellie Geranmayeh, a senior policy fellow at ECFR, and Hugh Lovatt, chairman of the European Middle East Project, dive into pressing Middle Eastern issues. They uncover insights from the Doha Forum, discussing Gaza's precarious future and the complex dynamics of Iran's nuclear diplomacy. The guests explore America's waning role as a security guarantor in the region and debate the implications of impending Israeli elections on foreign policy. With Gaza's governance hanging in the balance, they emphasize the need for international cooperation and Palestinian agency to sustain peace.
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Qatar's Mediator Role On Display
- Ellie Geranmayeh observed both Iranian and Israeli delegates attending the Doha Forum shortly after their countries carried out strikes on Qatari soil.
- She highlighted Qatar's mediator role and the visible presence of MAGA figures like Donald Trump Jr. shaping the forum's atmosphere.
Gulf States Rethink Security Reliance
- Arab states now view an emboldened Israel and uncertainty about US security guarantees as forcing a strategic rethink.
- Gulf actors are seeking to diversify security partnerships beyond sole reliance on Washington.
Iran Needs A 'Nuclear Plus' Offer
- Iran wants diplomacy with the US but lacks a clear approach to engage a transactional Trump administration.
- Arabs argue Tehran needs to offer a bigger 'nuclear plus' package that personally appeals to Trump to secure a deal.