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
UN urges Houthis to permit inspection of aging oil tanker The Houthis, who control access to the FSO Safer, have prevented the UN from sending a technical team to assess the risk of a potential massive oil spill. Yemen
The Takeaway: Israel’s new government united in opposition to Bibi but not much else Israeli Arab party leader Mansour Abbas makes history as dealmaker; will Hamas and Assad bury the hatchet; Does Hadi have a future in Yemen? Egypt, Sudan double down on military, economic ties; update on UN Iraq report; more! Israel
Have Yemenis given up on Hadi during six-year exile? Yemeni President Hadi's six-year exile in Riyadh has eroded his legitimacy in the eyes of manyYemenis who do not expect his return home, and realize that even his return will not be a cure-all for Yemen's plight. Yemen
Senate Democrats urge Biden to pressure Saudi Arabia over Yemen blockade tactics The Senate letter called on President Joe Biden to use diplomatic and economic leverage to compel the Saudi-led coalition to lift restrictions on imports into Yemen. Yemen
Yemenis lower expectations regarding US peace effort Since his appointment in February, the US envoy to Yemen has striven to revive diplomatic efforts in a bid to stop the war; yet the situation in Yemen remains bleak, and violence has not ebbed away. Gulf
US Senator, White House push for Yemen peace in regional tour As the Houthi rebels struggle to take Marib, Senator Chris Murphy says the time for peace is now. Yemen
State Department: Yemen's Houthis passed up opportunity for peace The State Department slammed Houthi rebels for turning down the chance to meet with the UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths. Yemen
Iraqi president confirms Baghdad hosted Saudi-Iranian talks 'more than once' President Barham Salih said the first round of talks occurred in early April, which he described as 'important and significant.' Iraq
US senators urge Biden administration to back another Yemen donor conference The bipartisan group called on the administration to mobilize the international community to support Yemen's humanitarian needs. Yemen
Yemen land mine explosion kills three kids near Red Sea port Fighting is continuing in Yemen, despite Saudi, Iranian and US calls for a cease-fire. Yemen
Iran’s Zarif backs cease-fire in meeting with Yemen’s Houthis Saudi Arabia and Iran held talks in Baghdad earlier this month to de-escalate tensions. Iran
Saudi Arabia seeks 'good' relationship with Iran, says crown prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also said Saudi Arabia is "more than 90% in agreement with" the administration of President Joe Biden. Saudi Arabia
