Analysis In Saudi Arabia, Erdogan fosters security alignment, $30B trade push The Turkish president’s visit cemented Ankara and Riyadh’s accelerating convergence as regional crises mount and Gulf rivalries sharpen. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Yemen’s Houthis hint at Red Sea attacks as US-Iran tensions rise: What to know The Houthi warnings come as a US aircraft carrier accompanied by several guided missile destroyers entered Gulf waters amid tensions with Iran. Iran
Thousands rally for South Yemen independence amid Saudi diplomatic push Large protests called for southern independence in Yemen on Friday, reflecting persistent support for the separatists despite the Saudi-backed government’s efforts to quash the separatist movement. Yemen
Egypt's economy can weather more Red Sea attacks, says finance minister Egypt lost some $13 billion worth of Suez Canal fees over two years due to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, according to estimates from Egyptian officials. Egypt
Analysis US response muted as Gulf allies clash in Yemen By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US gives 'yellow light' to UAE assault on Yemen port A top United Arab Emirates official urged the international community to pressure the Houthi rebels to withdraw from the key Yemeni port city. Saudi Arabia
US loses leverage to stop Yemen operation Congress is calling on the Pentagon to try to prevent a UAE-backed attack against Yemen’s largest Houthi-held port, but analysts said it’s unclear whether the United States has much leverage. Saudi Arabia
Congress seeks to insulate Oman from Yemen instability As the 3-year-old proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran continues to destabilize Yemen, Congress seeks to shore up security in neighboring Oman. Saudi Arabia
UAE, Russia leaders affirm common ground in Moscow meeting The crown prince of the United Arab Emirates visited Russia last week for the seventh time in five years, meeting with President Vladimir Putin to discuss many areas in which they agreed to collaborate. United Arab Emirates
Concern mounts as coalition forces advance on key Yemeni port Has the United States lifted its “red light” on an Emirati- and Saudi-backed military operation to take the key Yemeni port? Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Ethiopia fail to reach breakthrough in dam negotiations While the recent round of negotiations on Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam ended with a new document aimed at entrenching cooperation between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, it did not resolve the differences over the water filling and dam operation process. Yemen
Saudi defense spending soars, but not to America's benefit Saudi Arabia's military spending is not currently benefiting the United States, as no large arms deals are on the table. Saudi Arabia
US troops on Yemen border ruffle congressional feathers Recent revelations that US ground troops are helping Saudi-led coalition forces target Houthi missile stockpiles in Yemen have renewed calls on Capitol Hill for more congressional oversight in the war. Saudi Arabia
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
Saudi belligerence on Iran threatens US Saudi Arabia’s anti-Iran and anti-Shiite policy is creating a toxic environment in which the US administration must exercise great care. Saudi Arabia
Iran FM: Trump administration 'never in' nuclear deal In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke about Tehran’s potential response as the United States weighs pulling out of the nuclear deal. Yemen
Congress seeks to exert more control over Middle East wars Lawmakers want more of a say in US military activity in the wake of last weekend’s Syria strikes. Saudi Arabia
