Aramco evacuates staff as Saudi Arabia braces for potential Houthi escalation: What to know The repeated and escalating Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia’s energy facilities and airports United States ordered the departure of non-essential government employees and their families from the kingdom, with oil giant Aramco reportedly evacuating its headquarters. Saudi Arabia
US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless." By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Yemen displacement tops 250K as Houthis tighten siege on Taiz: What to know The Houthis are looking to completely seize Taiz city, with clashes escalating in other parts of the south as well. Yemen
Feature US aid runs dry as new fighting razes Yemen Sweeping funding cuts and the Houthis' targeting of aid workers have hobbled relief efforts in war-torn Yemen. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US drone strike kills two suspected al-Qaeda officials in Idlib The strike is believed to have killed a former member of Huras al-Din's Shura Council and a security official. Syria
Iraqi cleric pushes for elections, new social contract, in support of prime minister Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim, the head of Iraqioun parliamentary bloc and Hikma movement, is seeking to chart a nonsectarian alternative to the existing political structure. Iraq
Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? While Russia will likely avoid direct involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there are signs it could draw lessons from Libya and recruit fighters from Syria to do its bidding. Syria
Baghdad, Erbil reach security, administrative agreement on Sinjar district The deal will address major security and structural obstacles, but local communities criticize the accord for failing to bring their people to the table. Iraq
Assad accuses Turkey of instigating Nagorno-Karabakh conflict The hostilities have killed hundreds of people since late September. Syria
Did Erdogan approve Azerbaijan escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh? The Turkish president is the author of a militarized regional policy that now stretches from the Caucuses to Libya. Iraq
Are Turkey's Salafi groups taking up arms? Reports of increasing private armament among Turkey's Salafi groups have fueled concerns over social peace in Turkey where polarization is rife. Turkey
Netanyahu and Nasrallah at a standoff Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched another verbal confrontation against Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, but is unlikely to opt for a preemptive strike on Hezbollah missiles. Israel
Rockets land in Erbil as US threatens embassy pullout Iraqi Kurdistan’s counterterrorism service said the rockets were fired by paramilitary groups in Ninevah province in northern Iraq. Iraq
Following US warning, Iraq steps up pressure on outlawed militias A warning from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spurred Popular Mobilization Units factions to take actions against outlawed militias that are attacking foreign missions and troops. Originals
US shakes up Iraqi factions with reported warning on militias The Trump administration has warned Iraqi President Barham Salih that it could close its US Embassy in Baghdad if the militias' attacks against its bases and convoys continue. Iraq
Iraq cracks down on illegal arms flow to militias, armed groups Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government has launched a campaign in southern provinces to get illegal arms out of the hands of militias and tribal groups. Iraq
