How bitter Persian Gulf rivals can make peace the Asean way

AI Summary

Diplomatic talks are advancing between historically hostile Persian Gulf rivals, including the hawkish Emiratis and Iran, facilitated in part by US efforts. This cautious optimism suggests a potential new phase of peace modeled after ASEAN diplomatic interactions.

“The Emiratis – by far the most hawkish, by far the most pro-Israel country in the [Gulf Cooperation Council] – they’re having conversations with the Iranians that have never happened before,” US Vice-President J.D. Vance told British media outlet UnHerd following the Iran-US negotiations in Switzerland. The Iranians “are certainly talking differently than they have in the past”, he added in a note of cautious optimism, highlighting how both Washington and its allies in the Persian Gulf are...