Houthis seize Red Sea city, tighten grip near strategic Bab al-Mandeb: What to know Taking control of the towns bordering the Bab al-Mandeb Strait deals a significant blow to Saudi Arabia, which has relied heavily on the key waterway to keep its exports afloat. Yemen
Analysis How Saudi Arabia seeks to contain Yemen's Houthis without provoking Iran Riyadh is balancing pressure on the Houthis with efforts to keep Iran from widening the conflict, as attacks threaten Saudi energy exports through the Red Sea. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran's IRGC set to declare new ‘sanctions zone’ beyond Hormuz: What to know The latest Iranian effort to assert control over waterways in the region follows heavy US strikes targeting oil tankers. Iran
Turkey and Greece's intelligence chiefs hold rare talks: What to know The meeting comes after Turkey recently warned Greece over what it called an arms race in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Erdogan's call for two-state solution in Cyprus dims hopes for Turkish 'reset' with West Speaking during a visit to Northern Cyprus, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would continue drilling in contested waters around Cyprus and the Greek islands “until a fair settlement” was reached. Turkey
Sisi talks Turkey, East Med tensions, in visit to Greece Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was in Athens amid common hostility toward Turkish activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt
Egypt eyes more economic benefits after signing maritime demarcation deal with Greece Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a presidential decree to ratify the historic agreement signed with Greece on the demarcation of maritime borders, which could help further boost Egypt’s ambition to become a major regional energy hub. Egypt
Pompeo says US-Greek relations at 'all-time high,' urges Athens-Ankara talks In Greece, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Athens and Ankara to resume talks over maritime disputes ahead of an EU summit later this week that is expected to address lingering tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
US mediation pushes Israel, Lebanon on marking maritime border Reports say that following US mediation, Israel and Lebanon are now ready to discuss the marking of their maritime borderline. Israel
Egypt boosts naval power in deal with German shipbuilder Egypt is getting ready to start building its first locally manufactured frigate with the help of Germany. Egypt
NATO in unprecedented bid at in-house deconfliction between Turkey, Greece NATO has made a timely attempt to defuse tensions between fellow members Turkey and Greece, but the initiative comes with many questions. Turkey
US B-52 bombers train with Morocco, Tunisia aircraft over Mediterranean The destroyer USS Roosevelt simulated a hostile ship in a US show of force alongside the North African countries. Morocco
Why Mediterranean tensions may not benefit Erdogan at home An equitable resolution to the crisis with Greece and France would be great for Turkey, but even that may not help the Turkish president’s approval ratings. Turkey
US officials say partial lift of Cyprus arms embargo not related to Turkish-Greek tensions Amid ongoing Turkey-Greece tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, US officials maintained the partial lifting of an arms embargo on Cyprus aims to reduce Russian influence and is not a step against Ankara’s recent maneuvers in the region. Turkey
Intel: Greece seeks French military aircraft as Turkey renews gas exploration in eastern Mediterranean Athens seeks French military hardware amid sharp tensions with Ankara. Turkey
Turkey open to talks with Greece without preconditions: foreign minister During a meeting with his German counterpart, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his government is ready for talks with Greece, but without preconditions. Turkey
