The story: Observers and political insiders have in recent weeks speculated that differences between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have reached a point where the Saudi crown prince and the Emirati president are no longer on speaking terms. Against this backdrop, a photo of the two Gulf Arab leaders meeting in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province has recently surfaced on social media. However, the photo op has not diminished talk of an allegedly widening rift between the two sides.

The coverage: Bader Al-Asaker, the head of the Saudi crown prince’s private office, on May 17 posted a photo on Twitter/X capturing a smiling Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (MbS) together with Emirati President...