Analysis Why Syria and Iraq are taking different approaches to armed groups By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Analysis Who are Yemen's Southern Giants Brigades leading the fight against the Houthis? The Giants Brigades have emerged as the Saudi-backed Yemeni government’s most formidable fighting force. By Giorgio Cafiero
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 By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iran risks confrontation with Turkey over Idlib While Iran's military command in Syria has issued direct warnings aimed at Turkey, President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian foreign ministry continue to insist on the role of diplomacy and dialogue. Lebanon
Power vacuum in Iraq leads to threats from pro-Iran faction Pro-Iran factions in Iraq worry that they could lose their political sway, having failed to keep one prime minister in power, then failing in their attempt to replace him, as they recognize the next candidate could be selected from outside their political circle with the support of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite rivals. Iraq
US blacklists new leader of Iran-backed Iraqi militia The successor of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has been designated as a global terrorist by the United States. Iraq
Why is Egypt building a wall along its border with Gaza? Although it coincides with Washington’s Mideast peace plan, observers and experts say they believe that safeguarding and boosting national security are the real reasons behind Egypt's decision to build a new wall along its border with the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Egypt’s opposition parties want to amend elections law to keep Muslim Brotherhood out The Civil Democratic Movement, the largest coalition of the Egyptian opposition parties, announced Feb. 6 its intention to present the Egyptian regime with a proposal to amend the parliamentary elections law in a bid to exclude any candidates who belong to the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Saudi Arabia steps up role in Libya Saudi Arabia is reported to be providing greater financing to forces associated with Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter in order to counter Turkey's intervention on the side of Libya's Government of National Accord. Saudi Arabia
Is Turkey planning to curb radicals in Idlib under strategy shift? In a scenario that invokes its Afrin operation in 2018, Ankara speaks of reining in radical groups and asserting field control in Idlib, hoping that Moscow will give it a nod to avoid war. Syria
Who are Sadr's Blue Hats in Iraq and what side are they on? Prominent Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has kept his "Blue Hats" busy, calling on followers to change direction, often with his political whims. Iraq
Trump budget spotlights Tunisia in pitch to overhaul foreign military aid The State Department is dangling potential US aircraft sales to Tunisia as part of its pitch to overhaul foreign military aid. Iraq
Putin’s thin red lines in Syria rattle Erdogan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still has limited options in the wake of Syria's retaking of a key town in Idlib province. Syria
What is role of Haraket Hezbollah al-Nujaba in uniting PMU? The assassinations of Soleimani and Muhandis are changing the relative weights of Iraqi factions under the umbrella of the Iran-led "axis of resistance"; Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba is playing a greater role in bridging gaps between rival Shiite actors. Iraq
Killers target activists performing logistics for Iraqi protests Iraqi protester activists — and journalists covering the protests — are being killed in greater numbers by unidentified armed groups in an apparent attempt to curtail the demonstrations. Iraq
