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
Will Iran’s Reformists succeed in gathering all factions under one roof? Iranian Reformists are gathering forces to form a new assembly. But while some think it could be a chance for a democratic entity to represent the movement, others argue that Reformists need to reconnect with society rather than forming new bodies. Iran
Cracks appear within Rouhani's inner circle as VP 'signals departure' Speculations are once again rife that Iran's first vice president might be resigning after he complained about lack of authority. Iran
Iran braces for more general strikes as budget negotiations in sight The recent string of strikes in Iran appeared geared to extract more concessions ahead of budget negotiations. Iran
Khashoggi killing undercuts Trump campaign against Iran The US campaign to convince the world to cut off Iran has taken a hit two weeks before oil sanctions are set to kick in. Saudi Arabia
Iran's Supreme Court upholds death sentences for corruption Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentences of two individuals charged with economic crimes in what the judiciary hopes is a “warning” to others. Iran
US warns Lebanon that Hezbollah Cabinet pick would cross ‘red line’ The Trump administration might take limited measures that are not likely to alter the fundamentals of US policy in Lebanon should Hezbollah get the Health Ministry in the new Cabinet formation. Lebanon
Tehran set for yet another mayor amid Reformist infighting Tehran is set to get yet another mayor amid ongoing infighting among the Reformists. The question is whether the next internal mayoral vote will put an end to the bickering. Iran
Khamenei instructs Iranian scholars to look eastward In a speech, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei encouraged young scientists to look east rather than west for academic connections. Iran
Netanyahu ignores Iran's scientific, educational advances Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised himself for security achievements, but neglected to address the worrying decline in Israeli research and higher education. Israel
Big score for Iranian women as doors open to men's soccer games For the first time since 1979, Iranian women are allowed to watch men's soccer matches in Tehran despite stubborn and stiff opposition from hard-liners. Iran
Why Iran must seriously act to address rent seeking While the top elites of the Islamic Republic are recognizing the need to address mismanagement of the Iranian economy, the core issue remains the rent seeking that is thwarting genuine reform. Iran
Iran sets sights on Syrian reconstruction projects Iran is ready to help rebuild Syria, and seems especially interested in getting the power back up and running, but restructuring projects will remain stalled until a political solution is reached. Syria