Home and away: Mohammad Bin Salman projects his power
The Saudi leadership’s recent robust moves could mark the start of the crown prince’s long-awaited ascent to the throne
Experts & Staff
Cinzia Bianco
Visiting Fellow
Areas of expertise
The Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf region, European relations with the Gulf countries
Languages
Italian and English (fluent), French, Spanish and Arabic (conversational)
Biography
Cinzia Bianco is a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, where she is working on political, security and economic developments in the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf region and relations with Europe. Additionally, she is a senior analyst at Gulf State Analytics. Previously, Bianco was a research fellow for the European Commission’s project on EU-GCC relations ‘Sharaka’ between 2013 and 2014.
She holds an MA degree in Middle East and Mediterranean Studies from King’s College London and a PhD in Middle East Politics from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, where she worked on threat perceptions in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) after the 2011 Arab uprisings. She is the author of “The Gulf monarchies after the Arab Spring: threats and security” (Manchester University Press, 2024)
A Gulf apart: How Europe can gain influence with the Gulf Cooperation Council
Europeans can shift the balance of power in the Gulf in their favour by approaching the Gulf through flexible new frameworks
After Qaboos: The future of Oman and Gulf geopolitics
The fractious context of the Gulf means Oman’s new ruler could soon find himself seeking to emulate his predecessor and championing regional diplomatic dialogue
Saudi Arabia’s frozen-conflict tactics
Saudi Arabia is suspending its assertive foreign policy, seeking to prevent an escalation in tensions
Cracks in the Saudi-Emirati alliance?
Policymakers have closely watched the emergence of an apparent rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as an ostensible attempt at rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in recent weeks. The dynamics of the Gulf can have significant implications for European economic and political interests.
In the media
For Saudi Arabia, the Gaza war is definitely a real security challenge and they want to see a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible for several reasons
Cinzia Bianco comments on Saudi Arabia’s new foreign and regional policy and the implications of the new diplomacy on the regional chessboard
Cinzia Bianco on the role of Qatar in the war in Gaza
It is a well-armed and well-trained group that knows the territory very well and uses guerrilla techniques, being supplied by Iran
Cinzia Bianco speaks on the Red Sea crisis and the consequences of the Houthi attacks on a regional scale
I really fear that there is a new indication that the US administration is feeling a little lost as to how to pursue its fundamental objectives in the conflict
Cinzia Bianco comments on Israel’s position in the regional geopolitical chessboard
Kuwait’s alignment on regional issues is absolutely pro-Western, especially pro-US, as it is a state that favours stability
Cinzia Bianco comments on Kuwait’s position in the Middle East scenario