AGP Executive Report

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israeli soldiers told an investigation they were ordered to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including people with white flags, contradicting official findings and reigniting scrutiny of battlefield instructions. Iraq War Logistics Lesson: British planners behind the 2003 invasion say a similar operation couldn’t be repeated today—highlighting how supply and readiness constraints shape modern war. UAE Nuclear Site Warning: A drone strike hit an electrical generator near Barakah, a symbolic message about vulnerability to Gulf and US partners during ongoing Iran talks. Publishing & Culture: Doha’s International Book Fair pushed panels on Arab intellectuals and crisis-proofing public consciousness, while Qatar’s maritime heritage and UAE-India cultural links kept the spotlight on storytelling. Business & Tech: CMB.TECH posted Q1 2026 results with profit of $368.8m and a growing contract backlog; Ryanair warned Iran-linked fuel and fare pressures could lift costs.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israel’s Channel 13 investigation, citing anonymous soldier testimony, says troops were instructed to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza—even if older or carrying a white flag—sparking fresh scrutiny of official claims about engagement practices. Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s Supreme Leader adviser likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US-Iran clashes continued and US forces struck Iranian tankers amid a fragile, repeatedly violated ceasefire. Ceasefire Dispute: A US-backed “Board of Peace” letter reportedly argues Israel isn’t bound by the October 2025 ceasefire if Hamas won’t disarm, with talks stalled and disarmament tied to phase-two terms. Gulf Security Signal: A drone attack near Abu Dhabi’s Barakah nuclear plant caused limited damage, but analysts called it a symbolic warning to the UAE and allies. Culture & Books: Qatar National Library brought AI-led “Book Match” and interactive storytelling to the Doha International Book Fair, while Oman’s Deepal launched in Muscat and regional publishing presence expanded at the fair.

Gaza Rules of Engagement: Israel’s Channel 13 aired soldier accounts saying troops were instructed to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including cases involving white flags—sparking renewed scrutiny of official claims about engagement rules. Hormuz Flashpoint: Iran’s adviser likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US-Iran clashes continued, with US strikes reported on Iranian tankers and a blockade still in place. Ceasefire Pressure: A US-backed Gaza “Board of Peace” letter says Israel wouldn’t have to uphold the October 2025 ceasefire if Hamas won’t disarm, putting disarmament talks back at the center. Taliban Women’s Rights: Afghanistan’s Taliban issued a new family law decree where a “virgin girl’s” silence after puberty can be treated as consent—prompting fresh outrage. Saudi Energy & Aviation: Tarshid signed a solar deal for Riyadh factories, while Emirates NBD cleared approvals for its $3bn RBL stake; Etihad also expanded Central Asia access via a codeshare with Uzbekistan Airways.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israeli soldiers told an investigation that troops were instructed to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including cases involving white flags—renewing scrutiny of Israel’s rules of engagement after a captive’s death. Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s top adviser compared the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US-Iran clashes continued and US forces struck two Iranian tankers amid a blockade. Ceasefire Deadlock: A US-backed Gaza “Board of Peace” letter says Israel is not bound by the October 2025 ceasefire if Hamas won’t disarm, putting the next phase of talks in doubt. Jerusalem Religious Tensions: Israel indicted a West Bank settler over an assault on a Catholic nun near the Old City, with charges tied to religious hostility. Education Shock in Israel: Leaked exam data claims only 3% of ninth-graders met science standards, deepening public anger at suppressed results. Oil Shock Anxiety in Europe: Airlines and tour operators downplayed jet-fuel shortage fears even as Hormuz disruption keeps prices volatile. Culture & Books: Doha’s book fair momentum continues, with new UAE resilience titles and fresh MENA publishing spotlights.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israel’s Channel 13 investigation, citing anonymous soldier accounts, says troops were instructed to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza—even when people raised white flags—sparking fresh scrutiny of Israel’s rules of engagement. Ceasefire Deadlock: A U.S.-backed “Board of Peace” letter reportedly warns that if Hamas won’t accept a disarmament proposal, the October 2025 ceasefire terms would be “null and void,” keeping negotiations stuck. Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s adviser Mohammad Mokhber likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as U.S. forces struck Iranian tankers and the blockade fight continued. Doha Books Boom: The 35th Doha International Book Fair opened with record scale—1.85 million books across 910 pavilions—while DFI launched a major atlas-style publication mapping MENA filmmakers’ creative journeys. Tech, Culture, and Power: A Doha symposium urged “media sovereignty” as algorithms increasingly steer knowledge, warning that the algorithm “does not lie, but it chooses.”

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israeli soldiers told an investigation they were ordered to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including even people with white flags—sparking fresh scrutiny of Israel’s wartime rules. Iran–US Escalation at Hormuz: Iran’s top adviser likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US forces struck Iranian tankers and a fragile ceasefire kept getting violated. Ceasefire Paperwork, Not Peace: A US-backed Gaza “Board of Peace” letter says Israel isn’t bound if Hamas won’t disarm, putting the October 2025 truce back on the brink. AI and Labor in the Spotlight: Google DeepMind staff in London voted to unionize over concerns their AI is used for military work. Doha Books, Defense Included: Qatar’s Deputy PM visited the 35th Doha International Book Fair, touring culture and defense publishing pavilions.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israeli soldiers told an investigation they were ordered to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including cases involving white flags—contradicting official findings and reigniting scrutiny of engagement rules. Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s adviser likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US strikes hit Iranian tankers and a fragile ceasefire keeps getting violated. Nuclear Messaging: Iran’s president says Tehran can prove its nuclear program is peaceful and floated verification talks with Iraq, while the US-Iran standoff remains tangled. Press Freedom in Iraq: A Baghdad rights group logged nearly 1,000 journalist violations under al-Sudani and warns a new communications minister could further weaken expression. AI Meets Activism: Google DeepMind staff in London voted to unionize over concerns AI is being used for military work. Culture & Identity: The UK launches a Jewish culture month with events across major institutions, aiming to counter antisemitism with public celebration.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: An Israeli Channel 13 investigation, citing anonymous soldier testimony, alleges troops were ordered to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza—including people with white flags—sharpening scrutiny of Israel’s rules during the war. Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s adviser Mohammad Mokhber likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US strikes hit Iranian tankers and a fragile ceasefire keeps getting violated. Nuclear Diplomacy Pressure: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told Iraq it can prove the “peaceful nature” of its nuclear program, while Baghdad floated hosting talks—against the backdrop of the JCPOA collapse and removed IAEA monitoring. Ceasefire Deadlock in Gaza: A US-backed “Board of Peace” letter says Israel isn’t bound if Hamas won’t disarm, with disarmament tied to a second phase of the October 2025 truce. Jerusalem Anti-Christian Tensions: Israel indicted a West Bank settler over an assault on a Catholic nun near the Old City, adding to concerns about religious hostility.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israeli soldiers told investigators they were ordered to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including old men and people with white flags—contradicting official findings and reigniting scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the war. Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s adviser likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US-Iran clashes continued and Washington said it struck Iranian tankers while a blockade remained in place. Ceasefire Diplomacy Stalls: Trump said it’s “too soon” to plan an Islamabad peace-signing ceremony, with talks hinging on how long Iran would face limits on uranium enrichment. DeepMind Union Push: Google DeepMind staff in London voted to unionize over concerns AI is being used for US-Israeli military work and surveillance. Doha Book Fair Spotlight: Qatar opened the 35th Doha International Book Fair with record participation—520 publishers, 1.85m books, and 231,000 titles—running to May 23. Trump-Xi Wrap-Up: Trump and Xi are set to finish a two-day China visit with trade deals and a sharp Taiwan warning still hanging over the talks.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: An Israeli Channel 13 investigation says soldiers were instructed to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including cases involving white flags—contradicting official findings and reigniting scrutiny of Israel’s rules of engagement. US-Iran Strait of Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s adviser likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US forces struck two Iranian tankers and a fragile ceasefire stayed shaky, with both sides trading blame. Ceasefire Politics in Gaza: A US-backed “Board of Peace” letter says Israel isn’t bound if Hamas won’t disarm, framing the October 2025 truce as “null and void” without weapons surrender. Tech and Ethics: Google DeepMind staff in London voted to unionize over military AI contracts, demanding an end to defense use and stronger ethics oversight. Culture & Books: Doha’s International Book Fair opens with record participation, while new Jewish learning and language initiatives keep expanding online.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: An investigation aired by Israel’s Channel 13, via Middle East Eye, says soldiers were instructed to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including even older people and those with white flags—renewing scrutiny of Israel’s official claims about its conduct. US-Iran Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Iran’s adviser Mohammad Mokhber compared the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as the US said it struck two Iranian oil tankers and a fragile ceasefire stayed shaky. Ceasefire Dispute in Gaza: A US-backed “Board of Peace” letter obtained by Middle East Eye warns that if Hamas won’t accept a disarmament proposal, the October 2025 ceasefire could be declared void. Tech and War Ethics: Google DeepMind staff in London voted to unionize over concerns AI is being used for US and Israeli military work. Culture Spotlight: Doha’s 35th International Book Fair opens today with a record 1.85m books across 231,000 titles.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: An Israeli Channel 13 investigation, citing anonymous soldier testimony, alleges troops were ordered to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza—renewing scrutiny of Israel’s conduct and official claims. Hormuz Escalation Watch: Iran’s Supreme Leader adviser likened the Strait of Hormuz to an “atomic bomb” as US strikes on tankers and a fragile ceasefire keep tensions simmering. Ceasefire Diplomacy, Stalled: Reporting says a US-Iran framework for ending a 67-day war is close, but details—especially how long Iran could restrict uranium enrichment—remain the sticking point. Jerusalem Day Debate: Opinion argues the minimalist holiday is being overshadowed by a polarizing Old City march, calling for more shared rituals. Doha Book Fair Opens Thursday: Qatar’s 35th edition promises record scale—over 1.85 million books and 910 booths—plus major launches and panels. Berlin Antisemitism: A Holocaust deportation memorial on a Berlin bridge was vandalized again, with police calling it targeted antisemitic damage.

Strait of Hormuz tensions flare again: Iran’s top adviser calls the waterway “atomic-bomb” level as US forces strike Iranian tankers and the blockade-and-ceasefire standoff grinds on, with diplomacy still fragile and no clear off-ramp. Gaza rules of engagement under fresh scrutiny: Israeli soldiers allege orders to kill any man encountered in Gaza, reigniting debate over how combat rules were applied. Markets wobble on oil and geopolitics: Crude stays elevated and investors pull back; India’s Sensex and Nifty slip as the rupee weakens and inflation worries return. Hajj health rules tighten: Saudi Arabia makes meningococcal vaccination compulsory for Hajj workers. Tech and AI ethics collide with war: Google DeepMind staff in London vote to unionize over concerns about military-linked AI use. Energy shock hits travel: Jet fuel shortages linked to the Iran conflict keep summer flight planning in focus.

Gaza Rules of Engagement Under Fire: Israeli soldiers told an investigation that troops were instructed to “kill immediately” any man encountered in Gaza, including old men and people with white flags—contradicting official findings and reigniting scrutiny of Israel’s wartime rules. Strait of Hormuz Escalation: Iran’s top adviser compared the waterway to an “atomic bomb” as the US struck Iranian tankers and both sides traded blame over a fragile ceasefire. Ceasefire Diplomacy, Still Fragile: Reports of a US-mediated truce framework with Russia-Ukraine and talk of a US-Iran deal highlight how quickly negotiations can stall—while military “churn” continues. EU Flight Safety Update: EASA extended its Israel/Persian Gulf conflict advisory but softened wording, keeping airlines cautious and extending some cancellations. UAE Health Watch: Authorities say they’re fully prepared for hantavirus after Europe-linked cases on a cruise ship. Jordan Media Modernization: The Jordan Press Foundation launched a digital media centre and new studios on its 55th anniversary. Tech & Ethics: Google DeepMind staff voted to unionize over military contracts tied to Israel and the US.

US-Iran Tensions, Strait of Hormuz: Trump says the ceasefire is “on life support” after rejecting Iran’s latest proposal, while US forces report striking Iranian tankers and continuing a blockade—keeping markets jittery and the world’s energy chokepoint in focus. Diplomacy Under Strain: Iran’s leadership insists there’s no military solution and points to talks via Pakistan, but negotiations remain tangled over how long enrichment limits would last. Gulf Security Fallout: Reports using satellite imagery claim Iranian strikes have damaged far more US facilities than previously admitted, underscoring how fast the conflict is escalating beyond rhetoric. Gaza Ceasefire Deadlock: A US-backed “Board of Peace” letter says Israel’s truce terms could be void if Hamas won’t disarm, with Cairo talks again stalled. Culture & Books: Jerusalem’s layered history and the shrinking Euphrates are both driving fresh religious and literary debate, while Google DeepMind workers push to unionize over military-linked AI contracts.

Hormuz Pressure, Peace on Paper: Trump says it’s “too soon” to plan a peace-signing in Islamabad as a one-page US-Iran framework still isn’t settled, with uranium-enrichment limits the sticking point. Ceasefire vs Escalation: Pentagon chief Hegseth insists the US-Iran ceasefire is intact while “Project Freedom” to reopen Hormuz runs separately from “Epic Fury,” even as satellite checks report heavy damage to US sites. War’s Digital Fog: Reports highlight how AI deepfakes and edited narratives are thickening the information war around the Iran conflict. Gaza Truce Deadlock: A US-backed “Board of Peace” letter says Israel isn’t bound if Hamas won’t disarm, putting the October 2025 ceasefire terms back in dispute. US-China Auto Clash: Ahead of Trump-Xi talks, lawmakers and industry warn against any deal that opens the US car market to Chinese brands. Israel Domestic Tensions: A court delay in the Sde Dov land lottery is tied to PFAS contamination. Middle East Business Lens: Deutsche Bank flags “super” El Niño plus the Iran war as a dual inflation risk for the Philippines.