West Asia correspondent @SCMPNews ex-@McClatchy @TheNationalNews @CNBC @UPI. 39-year career covering South Asia and Middle East. ❤️cricket, Star Trek.
Islamabad, Pakistan
Joined January 2010
- Tweets49.6K
- Following2.7K
- Followers8.5K
- Likes65.4K
Tom Hussain retweeted
"I would like us to figure out how to stop making deals with countries like Saudi Arabia or the UAE, who are doing genocide in Sudan. I would like us to actually promote our values." Gulf state allies are going to feel the difference with the new Congress.
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
في يناير 2025، خلصت الخارجية الأمريكية إلى أن أفرادًا من قوات الدعم السريع وميليشيات حليفة ارتكبوا إبادة جماعية في السودان. بينما شارك السعودية في وساطة جدة لحماية المدنيين. أما بشأن الإمارات، فنقلت بلومبرغ عن خبراء أمميين أدلة على دعم مقاتلين قاتلوا إلى جانب الدعم السريع.
reuters.com/world/us-impos…
spa.gov.sa/w1900592
livemint.com/news/uae-backe…
Tom Hussain retweeted
I had an excellent conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, wherein much was discussed with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate — Therefore, Land and Sea. All have agreed that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon — That is non-negotiable! Should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is “locked and loaded” and ready to go. At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely. Israel, and the entire Middle East, are protected from Iranian danger and threats. We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected. At the conclusion of this Military Engagement, the American People, and the World, will be far safer and more secure. President DONALD J. TRUMP
( TS: Nov 9 2026, 4:29 PM ET )
Like there's been a volcanic eruption.
204
Tom Hussain retweeted
If you can't back El-Sayed, you're just not paying attention.
His take on Stephen Miller, and his appointment to Chief of Staff is the best and most precise read on what's going on.
This is 100% right on EVERY POINT.
El-Sayed gets it, and is able to communicate this properly. This is 🔥🔥🔥
Tom Hussain retweeted
China's first real industrial push into post-Assad #Syria is underway.
While Beijing supported Assad, this never really translated into significant financial investments.
The shift only came in mid-2025.
So far, the focus is clearly on industrial cities & domestic production capacity - not just short term reconstruction.
Several projects include technology transfers, local workforce training & aim to reduce reliance on imports.
Some projects already entered the implementation phase, such as the Ain Issa cement plant, whose foundation stone was laid just weeks ago.
The key question is how significant this shift is compared to Chinese investments elsewhere in the region?
Tom Hussain retweeted
“Officials in the Gulf will be wary of any attempt by investigators in the new Congress to try and link them to the narrative of corruption that may become a very prominent feature of political discourse next year,” said Ulrichsen.
al-monitor.com/originals/202…
Tom Hussain retweeted
UAE to become world's biggest generator of solar electricity by 2031, IEA says thenationalnews.com/business…
Tom Hussain retweeted
Rather than aid [to Israel] being cut off,
“it is just a restructuring, intended to shield the billions of dollars the US sends to Israel each year from the collapse in American public support for Israel”,
I told @tomthehack for @SCMPNews
scmp.com/week-asia/politics/…
The close defence relationship between the United States and Israel is set to be restructured over the coming two years, with billions of dollars in direct annual military aid being phased out in favour of joint weapons technology programmes.
scmp.com/week-asia/politics/…
Tom Hussain retweeted
The Israeli media doesn’t get why “anti-Israel” candidates won over Jewish voters in the U.S.
Important by @lisang in @newlinesmag. newlinesmag.com/running-note…
Halal humour for (white) Americans.
Five Arabic phrases for starters:
1. Inshallah: God willing
“Abdul will win, Inshallah!”
2. Alhamdulillah: Thank God
“Abdul won, Alhamdulillah!”
3. Mashallah: What God has willed
“First Muslim senator, Mashallah!”
4. Yallah: Let’s go!
“Abdul! Yallah let’s win this!”
5. Astaghfirullah: Seek God’s forgiveness
“Did you see Vance’s tweet? Astaghfirullah!”
Tom Hussain retweeted
#Smog
NASA satellites detected 1,931 fires in Pakistan and 734 in India between 29 October and 4 November.
Fires in Pakistan were close to the 2018–2025 average for these dates (1,916).
In India fire were the fewest on these dates of any year since 2018 (average 11,752 in 2018–2025).
Link: reports.hawanama.org/
Tom Hussain retweeted
My piece for @MiddleEastEye on what #Trump's mid-term disaster means for the #Gulf:
"Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi have therefore begun to imagine a post-American Middle East. In that order, the US keeps a footprint in the region, while its partnership with the Gulf sits inside a wider web of complementary multilateral agreements.
The midterms also let Gulf leaders picture a post-Trump America: more predictable, less erratic and content to stand on the sidelines. For the Gulf, an America that stays out of the region's conflicts is now preferable to one that keeps getting sucked into unwinnable adventures and leaves the region worse off each time"
middleeasteye.net/opinion/tr…
