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
Iraq's Sadr calls for disarming factions after Baghdad explosion After an unsanctioned weapons cache exploded recently in Sadr City, Muqtada al-Sadr is proposing an initiative to hand over to the state the weapons of Iraqi factions — beginning with his own movement. Iraq
Iraqi militias, US make nice following elections Some factions of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units and their political wings among the Fatah Alliance are showing possible interest in rapprochement with the United States. Iraq
Too much at stake for full-on conflict in southern Syria Prioritizing de-escalation in southern Syria appears to be the regional consensus, but the rebels’ opposition to any deals could lengthen the process. Israel
Are Palestinian armed factions forming joint army? Hamas and the Islamic Jihad’s military wing have claimed responsibility for the recent rockets fired into Israel, raising talk about the potential that factions may form a joint armed operations room. Palestine
Armed factions join forces to counter Syrian regime gains Opposition militias in north and central Syria are banding together in the hope that a unified front will be able to fend off regime advances. Syria
Politicized peshmerga adds to Iraqi Kurdistan destabilization There's long been talk of unifying the fractured peshmerga forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, but action is direly needed. Iraq
Libya's Hifter launches operation to retake opposition stronghold Libyan military strongman Khalifa Hifter announced the launch of the long-awaited military operation to take Derna, which is expected to boost his popularity in the country’s upcoming elections. Libya
Will Russia provide the 'new Kissinger' for Iran-Israel diplomacy? Moscow works back channels between Tehran and Jerusalem; hard-line Saudi stance toward Iran adheres to Wahhabi line favored by conservative clerics. Saudi Arabia
Iraq’s Shiite militias hope battlefield wins can secure electoral victory An electoral coalition formed by some pro-Iranian Shiite Popular Mobilization Units is confident it can secure enough seats in parliament to form a majority and claim the premiership. Iraq
Iraqi police who fought for tribal PMUs won't return to force Local Iraqi police officers who joined the Popular Mobilization Units to fight the Islamic State seem to have no intention of returning to their old jobs. Iraq
Turkey offers death benefits to its Syrian anti-Kurdish allies Kudos bestowed on Turkey's Free Syrian Army allies for their performance in Operation Olive Branch appear to have earned the fighters additional financial and medical support from the Turkish government. Syria
Hamas pursues conflicting paths While preparing for the March of Return and conducting massive military exercises, Hamas is also sending conciliatory messages to Israel and the US. Palestine
