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Politics & Security

Houthi fighters marching

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.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities shout slogans during a rally to recruit more fighters, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 10, 2026.

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Houthi

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.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

US Republican Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas gestures after speaking during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 15, 2024.

Meet Wesley Hunt, Trump's pick for ambassador to Saudi Arabia

The Texas Republican previously served for two years in the kingdom as a diplomatic liaison officer.

Latest News

Saudi Arabia’s MBS visits Egypt as Red Sea crisis with Houthis escalates

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks on upon his arrival during a welcome ceremony as part of his two-day official visit to France, at the Hotel des Invalides, Paris, France, Aug. 24, 2026.

In first, Saudi Arabia activates Mecca warning system amid Houthi threat

Mecca

Third Sunni cleric killed in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province: What to know

Milak border crossing near the town of Zabol, Iran

CENTCOM chief meets Saudi Arabia's MBS amid Houthi gains in Yemen

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images

US woman detained in Saudi Arabia released amid guardianship battle

US citizen Carly Morris has been released from a Saudi prison, but says she's still unable to leave the kingdom with her young daughter.

Gaza

The Palestine Briefing: The forgotten Gazans

In our weekly Palestine Briefing newsletter, Daoud Kuttab rounds up the biggest stories from the region.

Lebanon bank

Lebanese army conducts bank heist training

The exercise follows several armed bank holdups in Lebanon by customers who are unable to access their savings. One Lebanese organization criticized the army for holding the training.

Ahmad lies in his hospital bed on his sixth day of treatment at Halba's government hospital in Akkar.

Lebanon begins vaccination campaign as cholera cases soar

The crisis-hit country’s collapsing water and sewage infrastructure has opened a breeding ground for waterborne illness.

COP27

Green hydrogen plant launches in Egypt during COP27's second day

More side deals to reduce climate change are set to be announced during the COP27 summit in Egypt.

A man in Tehran on Oct. 30, 2022, holds a copy of the Hammihan newspaper, featuring on its cover a headline mentioning the statement by the Tehran journalists' association.

Iran charges journalists amid mounting protest toll

While the death toll from nearly two months of consistent protests continued to rise, the government was pushing to contain the unrest with severe judicial measures.

al-Hol

Iraq suspends repatriations from Syria's notorious Islamic State camp al-Hol

Iraq’s new government is rethinking how to deal with the thousands of Iraqis stuck for years in northeastern Syria's al-Hol camp.

Activists play football during a symbolic action by LGBT+ associations in front of the FIFA museum in Zurich on Nov. 8, 2022.

Qatar World Cup ambassador says homosexuality is 'haram'

Qatar’s human rights record is under scrutiny in the lead-up to the World Cup, particularly regarding the treatment of LGBTQ people and laborers.

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

What Netanyahu’s return means for Israel-Turkey ties

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a congratulatory message to incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling that nascent cooperation between the two countries would profit the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (L).

Erdogan unswayed by Swedish PM's charm offensive

The Swedish prime minister met the Turkish president in Ankara amid the ongoing NATO dispute over Sweden and Finland's accession to the alliance.

C0P27

Israel, Jordan, UAE press ahead on deal for water, solar energy

Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have inked a memorandum of understanding to speed progress on a deal to exchange solar energy for desalinated water.

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu (L) meets with Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir at his office, Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2022.

Netanyahu’s far-right partners in Israel worry US

With far-right politicians expected to become senior ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government, Israel’s relations with the United States could take a serious hit.