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
Suppliers of weapons parts for Yemen's Houthis hit with US sanctions The latest US sanctions come as the Yemeni militants intensify their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Yemen
US Navy rescues 24 crew members after Houthi attack, 1 lost at sea Two cargo ships are at risk of sinking in the Red Sea, abandoned by their crews after Houthi missile strikes triggered US airstrikes on radar sites controlled by the Yemeni rebels. Yemen
What we know on Houthis' latest Ghadr anti-ship Iranian ballistic missile Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Wednesday that the Yemeni militant group has obtained the technology to manufacture anti-ship ballistic missiles. Iran
US seeks off-ramp for Yemen's Houthis to end Red Sea attacks Will anything short of a Gaza cease-fire persuade Yemen’s Houthis to end their Red Sea attacks? Most analysts are doubtful. Yemen
Al-Qaeda attack in Yemen kills 2 members of southern forces The attack is the first by al-Qaeda in Yemen since its leader on the Arabian Peninsula died. Yemen
How Russia seeks to capitalize on US strikes in Yemen, Red Sea tensions Russia has maintained balanced relations in Yemen, while avoiding criticism of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, even as its trade has been affected. Gulf
Houthi attack on commercial ship off Yemen kills three sailors US and coalition naval vessels responded to the scene after the Barbados-flagged True Confidence reported crew members killed in a Houthi missile strike. Gulf
Analysis US Navy faces down Houthi attacks as Washington signals open-ended effort Saudi Arabia has restricted the US military from launching strikes in Yemen via Saudi airspace, leaving an aging US Navy aircraft carrier to shoulder the campaign in the Red Sea. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Interview Yemen’s Houthis undeterred by strikes, senior US Navy commander says In an exclusive interview, the US Navy’s top commander in the Middle East leveled with Al-Monitor about what the current campaign against the Houthis has achieved, saying diplomatic pressure could ultimately get the Iran-backed rebels to halt their brazen attacks on international commercial shipping. George Wikoff Commander of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet
UK’s Cameron heads to Oman to discuss Houthi attacks, Red Sea escalation Ahead of the visit, the foreign minister told the Conservative Middle East Council that Britain is ready to bring forward the moment when it officially recognizes an independent Palestinian state. Oman
Red Sea trade hit can be 'managed' amid weak global demand, says WEF Maroun Kairouz, director of the World Economic Forum for the Middle East and North Africa, told Al-Monitor that the Israel-Hamas conflict has not had a material impact on global energy markets so far. Yemen
Two US Navy SEALs presumed dead after anti-Houthi raid: Pentagon The two special operators are presumed dead after attempting to board a stateless boat off Somalia earlier this month. Gulf
