Saudi defense chief meets Khamenei in historic Iran visit: What to know Prince Khalid’s visit marks a further step in Iran and Saudi Arabia’s political reconciliation, but it comes at a tense time in the region, with the second round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations just two days away. Saudi Arabia
US approves $400M deal to upgrade Kuwait’s Patriot air defenses The planned recertification marks Washington’s latest show of military support for Gulf Arab states, as the US prepares for a potential confrontation with Iran over its nuclear enrichment program. United States
Top US general calls out Houthi-Shabaab ties across Yemen-Somalia strait The Pentagon has opened the aperture on al-Shabaab in recent months, allowing AFRICOM to ramp up strikes on the al-Qaeda offshoot in the Horn of Africa. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US sanctions Russia-based network for aiding Houthis as strikes continue The sanctions target several individuals based in Russia accused of assisting Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal, who has been under US sanctions since 2021. Yemen
Analysis Can US halt Houthi attacks without getting embroiled in Gaza, Yemen wars? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Wary of Houthis, Gulf states fear blowback of US escalation in Yemen By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen Progressives' bid to get Riyadh to stop bombing Yemen may test Biden's commitment to Gulf allies. Congress
Bloody week in Yemen on border of government and Houthi territory Tens of fighters on both sides have died this week during fighting in the Shabwa governorate. Yemen
EU condemns Houthi execution of 9 Yemenis by firing squad The European Union joined the United States and United Nations in condemning the trial and execution of nine Yemenis accused of involvement in the killing of a senior Houthi official. Yemen
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear diplomacy creeps forward in Moscow and Paris Also: Taliban’s success inspires Syrian jihadis; Russia’s delicate diplomacy in Syria and Turkey; Nile dam parley peters out; IDF snared in political rift; Egypt’s Avenue of the Sphinxes; and more … in only about 1,500 words. Iran
Drone attack on Saudi airport injures 8 The second attack on the Abha airport in 24 hours injured several people, state-run media outlets reported. Yemen
Yemen's new school year kicks off as 6 million children at risk The new school year started in Yemen's government-held areas on Aug. 15 and in areas held by Houthi rebels Aug. 14, as the UN is saying children's education has become one of the greatest casualties of conflict in the war-torn country. Yemen
Yemen's Houthis hope Afghan turmoil will speed up agreement to end war Yemen's Houthi rebels are drawing comparisons between the Taliban takeover of Kabul, which caused President Ashraf Ghani to flee Afghanistan, to their own takeover of Sanaa and Aden in 2014 and 2015. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Iran sending more weapons to Yemen's Houthis amid cease-fire effort: Pentagon Pentagon allegation comes as Iranian and Saudi officials are reportedly preparing to meet in Baghdad later this month United States
US announces $165 million for Yemen as humanitarian needs mount US special envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking urged international donors to step up their contributions to the Arab world's poorest country. Yemen
Houthis revive Shiite festivals to strengthen grip on north Since the Houthi seizure of Sanaa in 2014, the group has brought new sectarian pressure to Yemen's north, forcing both Shiites and Sunnis to observe Shiite customs. Gulf
UN names Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg as Yemen envoy Grundberg will replace Martin Griffiths, a veteran British diplomat who served as the UN's Special Envoy for Yemen since 2018. Yemen
Yemen's Houthis blow up homes after losing control in Al-Bayda, Marib Houthi rebels used to brag of blowing up homes of top government officials between 2010-2014, and once the group took control of Sanaa in 2014, they continued sporadically attacking opponents' homes. But the latest attacks have captured media attention as they coincide with military defeats. Gulf
