The story: A surprise meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Emirati National Security Advisor Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan (TbZ) by the Red Sea has raised eyebrows in the region. Observers see the unexpected gathering as demonstrating the growing cooperation among the three Gulf Arab states since their reconciliation in January, which brought the more than three-year long Saudi-Emirati blockade of Qatar to an end.

The coverage: The trilateral meeting was notably not officially announced by any state press agency. Rather it was publicized on social media by...