Analysis How Saudi Arabia seeks to contain Yemen's Houthis without provoking Iran Riyadh is balancing pressure on the Houthis with efforts to keep Iran from widening the conflict, as attacks threaten Saudi energy exports through the Red Sea. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial cooperation with Egypt. Turkey
Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords. Israel
UN watchdog formally ends probe into Assad-era nuclear sites The vote follows last month's visit by international inspectors to two suspected former nuclear sites in Syria. Syria
Analysis What Houthi setbacks in Yemen mean for Iran's regional influence By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Middle East can supply world's clean energy, says Biden's energy envoy Amos J. Hochstein said the key lies in the effective transport of the region’s abundance of wind, sun and minerals to maintain its energy leadership. Legacy: Gulf
China builds reach by backing Middle East water projects In its latest financial deal, China has agreed to provide a new credit facility to expand Saudi Arabia's water generation and power portfolio. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey gloats at Menendez indictment but will it get F-16 jets? Sen. Bob Menendez, a strong critic of Turkey who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been charged for allegedly receiving bribes via a scheme involving Egypt. Turkey
Iran parades lines of drones, calls for US Gulf pullout Iran showed off at least 16 drone types, one of which it said was the world's longest range, as President Ebrahim Raisi urged regional cooperation against the American military presence in the Persian Gulf. Iran
European Commission to send Tunisia $135M in aid to stem illegal migrants The European Union and Tunisia had in July announced a ‘strategic partnership’ to boost Tunisia's economy and combat the spike in small boats leaving the North African nation for Europe. Tunisia
At UN, Netanyahu says Palestinians should have 'no veto' over Saudi deal Offering a grand vision of normalization with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also advocated that the Palestinians not be allowed a veto on advancements toward peace. Israel
More than 200 Palestinians killed in 2023 as Israel detains Lion's Den leader The spike in Israeli raids and settler attacks this year in the West Bank has killed more than 200 Palestinians and displaced more than 1,000 herders from their land. Palestine
Syria’s Assad and Kuwaiti crown prince in China signing cooperation deals Syrian President Bashar al-Assad participated in a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the eastern city of Hangzhou, reported SANA, Syria’s official news outlet. Syria
US Senator Menendez indicted on corruption charges involving Egypt Sen. Bob Menendez, a key power broker in Washington's Middle East foreign policy, is accused of providing sensitive US government information to aid the Egyptian government. Washington Connection
Al-Monitor/Semafor summit: Iraq’s Sudani says 'solution is in Baghdad’ to issues with KRG The prime minister also pleaded for more US investment in Iraq’s energy sector amid the oil dispute with Turkey, and addressed Iraq’s balancing act between the United States and Iran. Iraq
Analysis Can Netanyahu deliver US, Saudi demands for normalization with Israel? Although advancing talks with the Saudis on normalized relations with Israel, the Biden administration doubts whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can persuade his hard-line coalition to agree to significant steps vis-a-vis the Palestinians. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Inside Qatar’s key role in US-Iran prisoner swap Majed Al-Ansari, an adviser to the Qatari prime minister, details the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that led to the prisoner deal, and why Doha believes there now exists a “platform for dialogue” between Iran and the United States. Qatar