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
Yemeni expats find sisterhood, escapism on Beirut roller derby track Despite bruises and broken ankles, a dozen young women from different countries are determined to keep up the first roller derby club in Beirut. Yemen
Saudi bloc splinters over hard line on Iran Riyadh summit may have fueled sectarian animosities; Hamas resets its ties with Iran and Russia. Saudi Arabia
Delivering $1 billion aid to Yemen faces difficulties More than $1 billion in humanitarian aid has been pledged by international partners for Yemen, but whether it can be delivered is a separate issue. Yemen
Egypt-Saudi ties could be key to Trump’s Mideast 'ultimate deal' Egypt's disputed transfer of the Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia may be one part of an overall peace deal involving Israel. Saudi Arabia
7 perils of Trump's attempt to isolate Iran President Donald Trump’s alignment of US foreign policy with that of Saudi Arabia will only serve to exacerbate tension and confrontation in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Saudis trumpet Trump Saudi Arabia gives US President Donald Trump the fully rolled out red carpet treatment in hopes of getting heightened US action against Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Is Trump holding a Russian card in the Middle East? Trump visit launches new US-Saudi partnership, but the endgame in the Middle East still depends on Moscow and Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Can Russia, West cooperate on Libya? Moscow sees an opportunity to engage with Europe to help solve Libya’s crisis, and the US president seems ready and willing to stay out of it. Saudi Arabia
In shift, Saudis seek political solution for Yemen port Hoping signs of progress in talks with Houthi rebels come to fruition, Riyadh is now looking away from military plans and considering a political solution to take a strategic Yemeni Red Sea port. Saudi Arabia
Saudis seek renewed relations with US under Trump The Saudis want US President Donald Trump to reconsider policies made during the Obama administration, especially regarding Iran, which they say has not changed its conduct since the nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia
Will Riyadh’s new DC ambassador draw US deeper into Yemen war? While the new Saudi ambassador to Washington, Khaled bin Salman, wants to convince the Trump administration to get more involved in the war in Yemen, history may deter the US administration. Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s cultural capital Taiz torn by conflict The city of Taiz, Yemen’s third largest, is living under tragedy as a result of the two-year war. Legacy: Gulf