Analysis How far will Iran push Houthis against Saudi Arabia amid raging conflict? As Iran-backed Houthis broaden attacks on Saudi Arabia, Tehran's delicate calculation is exploiting the current conflict without being dragged into an escalation of its own making. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East confronts AI risks In the Middle East, governments are pouring billions into AI ambitions as Anthropic’s own Claude chatbot comes under scrutiny for creating national security risks. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia's balancing act with US, Iran, Houthis risks collapse Houthi rebels escalated their attacks on Tuesday, triggering alerts around the holy city of Mecca, Taif and the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive Houthi top diplomat says no intention to shut down Red Sea shipping, group open to talks In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Acting Foreign Minister of the Houthi-led administration Abdulwahid Abu Ras said concerns over a potential closure of the Red Sea are being fueled by Saudi Arabia. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis Saudi pipeline shutdown exposes shrinking global oil-supply buffers By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Iran moves forward with railway link to Syria via Iraq Iran is building a 20-mile stretch of railway that will connect railways throughout Iraq to neighboring Syria. Iraq
Why Iran is also a strategic asset for Israel A significant number of Arab and Muslim leaders in the Middle East and the world fear Iran. For them, Israel is the only real answer to the Iranian threat and the only country able to confront it. Saudi Arabia
Iran hard-line MPs gird to impeach Zarif Iran's most hard-line parliamentarians are putting a new spoke in President Hassan Rouhani's wheel by pushing for the impeachment of four Cabinet ministers. Iran
Iran, Russia move to expand security collaboration Tehran sees its prospective security accord with Moscow as a stepping stone for wider bilateral cooperation. Russia
Iran’s foreign minister criticized for saying ‘we’ll survive’ sanctions An attempt by the Iranian government to create a viral meme declaring the country will “survive” sanctions backfired across the political spectrum. Iran
How Iran’s institutional politics is about to become more complex A relatively unknown subdivision of Iran’s Expediency Council is causing a stir in national politics as it appears to be girding to directly enter the legislative process. Iran
USAID money diverted to Syrian terrorist group "Numerous instances" of diversion reported by US watchdog agency; US sanctions between Iraq and a hard place. Iraq
Iran-Iraq relations in light of US sanctions Rather than undermine ties between Iran and Iraq, the Trump administration’s reimposition of sanctions is compelling Iran to deepen ties with its western neighbor. Iraq
How Saudi Arabia, Qatar are competing over Iraq As the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Qatar continues, each country seeks influence in Iraq in order to expand its economic and political power in the region. Saudi Arabia
Trump reignites Iranian rage with 'terrorist nation' diatribe Despite political differences, many Iranians are coming together to lash out at US President Donald Trump after he called Iran "a terrorist nation." Iran
Iranian pension funds on brink absent major reforms Iran’s main pension funds appear to be in dire need of prompt reform in order to survive without government bailouts. Iran
Iran factory workers demand wages as strike enters 16th day Demands by striking workers at a troubled sugar plant in Iran's southwest remain unfulfilled, with several protest leaders being kept in police custody. Iran