France’s Macron first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Houthi escalation French President Emmanuel Macron met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a surprise stop in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
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
Qatar PM in Beirut as Lebanon seeks economic relief: What to know Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani’s visit to Beirut coincides with the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the country. Lebanon
Iraq’s Zaidi, Saudi crown prince discuss security as Houthi attacks escalate Iraq has moved to improve ties with Saudi Arabia after Iran-backed militias struck the kingdom and amid the conflict with the Houthis in Yemen. Iraq
Analysis Who are Yemen's Southern Giants Brigades leading the fight against the Houthis? By Giorgio Cafiero
Syria courts Gulf investment with high-level Qatar visit amid $7B energy deal Led by the country’s top diplomat, Syria’s ministers of energy, finance and tourism held a series of meetings in Qatar on Tuesday. Syria
UAE summons Israeli envoy over Jerusalem march, provocations The United Arab Emirates has summoned Israel’s ambassador over recent tensions and violence in east Jerusalem, marking the first such diplomatic protest by the Gulf state since 2022. United Arab Emirates
China expands visa-free policy to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait During a landmark summit in Malaysia, China announced an exemption for nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait from the need for entry visas. China
Gulf states court China, ASEAN at landmark Malaysia summit: What to know The Gulf Cooperation Council’s summit with the Southeast Asia bloc was expanded to include China, bringing the emir of Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat to Malaysia. Qatar
Analysis As US-Iran nuclear talks hit deadlock, can Gulf consortium offer solution? The two sides remain at odds over the central issue of uranium enrichment, blocking progress at the highest level. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Pentagon formally accepts Qatar’s luxury megajet for Trump: What to know Qatar's offer to provide the US president with $400 million aircraft is likely to reinforce Democratic opposition to recently announced major arms sales to the Gulf kingdom. United States
Saudi airline to resume Hajj flights to Iran after 10-year hiatus: What to know A Saudi-operated flight landed in Tehran last weekend as Iran and Saudi Arabia seek to expand their air connectivity. Iran
Analysis Trump promises arms sales to the Gulf, but can he deliver? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US, Qatar's $243.5B deal includes sale of up to 210 Boeing jets: What to know The United States and Qatar inked economic deals worth more than $243.5 billion, laying the groundwork for a bigger $1.2 trillion package of expanded investment and trade, the White House said. Qatar
US, Saudi Arabia ink $600B economic pact amid AI, energy deals The economic partnership agreement includes energy, mining and defense pacts, according to a White House readout. Saudi Arabia
Defense, energy and AI deals await Trump during Gulf visit: What to know Trump will kick off his regional trip by participating in a Saudi-US Investment Forum meeting, while Qatar and the UAE may be eyeing more cooperation defense and technology. Saudi Arabia
From Nixon to Trump: A look at US presidential visits to the Gulf As Trump prepares for his visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Al-Monitor looks back at the history of US presidential trips to the Gulf. United States
