Municipal elections are being held Saturday in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, coinciding with voting in the West Bank. It’s the first time since 2005 that Gazans are able to vote. Water and sanitation are on the ballot, as is, symbolically, Palestinian national unity.

Iran’s missile attacks and its closing of the Strait of Hormuz have cost the oil-producing Gulf Arab states untold billions. In response, they are moving to arm themselves against a military threat that hasn’t been erased, and construct workarounds to the Hormuz choke point.

Even before the Iran war, launched against Gulf Arabs’ advice, sentiment in the region toward Israel was souring over its Palestinian policies. But distrust has deepened over Israel’s conduct of the war, and amid concerns over Israel’s expanding power.

Pakistan is set to mediate talks between the United States and Iran. But across the Middle East, there is little optimism about what comes next, even if a U.S.-Iran deal comes together.

Before the Iran war, regional powers were rushing for a diplomatic solution to rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Now, facing President Donald Trump’s threats of a civilization’s obliteration, those efforts are at a global peak.

Saudi Arabia hoped that diplomacy would prevent war with Iran. Having come under Iranian attack, the Saudi government is now exploring its own military options.

In stark contrast with residents of other Arab countries in the Gulf region, Saudis exhibit a decidedly blasé attitude toward the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Conversations focus on jobs and the economy and reveal faith in their government’s ability to provide security.

After decades of conflict, Iraqis have enjoyed increased political stability and a promising future, even embracing a unified national identity. But attacks by Iran, the United States, and homegrown militias are tugging at the divides that had held Iraq back.

The war in Iran has shocked global energy markets, but it’s also putting precious water resources in the Gulf region under threat.