Saudi envoy says allied Yemeni forces capture Bab el Mandeb strait from Houthis: What to know A Houthi spokesperson rejected claims that Saudi-backed forces had retaken territory along the Bab el Mandeb Strait, as fighting escalated with new attacks on the Riyadh airport. Yemen
Analysis US balances Houthi diplomacy with support for Saudi offensive Renewed fighting in Yemen is forcing the United States to balance support for Saudi Arabia with efforts to preserve its truce with the Houthis. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province witnesses uptick in attacks Iranian authorities accuse foreign-backed armed groups of being behind a string of deadly attacks in the southeast, amid concerns about the resumption of war with the United States. Iran
US quietly aids Saudi Arabia’s Yemen campaign with intel, refueling Pentagon aims to keep Yemen and Iran wars separate while shielding the flow of Gulf oil exports from attack as Riyadh bears the brunt of the Houthis' missile and drone barrages. Yemen
Analysis Three years after Oct. 7, Hamas’ grip on Gaza tests Netanyahu’s ‘total victory’ By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pompeo speaks at conference by controversial Iran opposition group Slovenia's prime minister and other former US officials also speak at virtual event held by Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. Iran
Taliban renew demand that Turkey leave Afghanistan American and Turkish officials are still ironing out the last details on how to secure Kabul's airport. Turkey
Confrontation between US, pro-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq poses challenges for Russia While Moscow does not yet have the resources to eliminate Iranian influence in Syria, it would be in its interests to at least prevent the expansion of the activities of pro-Iranian paramilitary structures. Syria
Biden's airstrikes fail to halt cycle of militia violence in Iraq The Pentagon says it is taking a recent spate of drone and rocket attacks "deadly seriously." Syria
Cairo cracks down on Salafist preachers The Egyptian state and its institutions have been waging a fierce campaign against the preachers of Egypt’s Salafi movement over ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Gazan children graduate from Islamic Jihad’s military camp Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, concluded its summer training camps with the participation of more than 2,000 boys ages 14 to 17, who received military training simulating a confrontation with the Israeli army. Palestine
The Takeaway: Does Iran want to scuttle nuclear deal talks with militia attacks in Iraq? Also: Fresh reporting from Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Gaza; high oil prices may undercut GCC reforms; a cure for termites in Egypt; and more. Iraq
Militias launch spate of attacks on US positions in Iraq Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base was hit with the second rocket attack in just over 48 hours. Iraq
Defections threaten Ahrar al-Sham jihadist movement in Syria Once considered by some Western observers as a formidable opposition movement, Ahrar al-Sham is experiencing major defections and facing survival challenges. Syria
Pro-Iran militias increase attacks, rhetoric against foreign troops Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has called on the United States and Iran "to avoid settling scores in Iraq." Iraq
Islamic State suspected of sabotaging Iraqi electrical towers Power transmission towers have recently been targeted in Iraq, which already is suffering from major electricity shortages. Iraq
Turkey's mixed record against Islamic State Structural problems continue to keep Turkey from putting in place a comprehensive strategy to combat Islamic State elements in the country, despite numerous operations against networks linked to the radical Islamist group. Turkey
