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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

Latest News

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

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.

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

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

Netanyahu

The Israel Briefing: US concerned over Netanyahu de facto annexing West Bank

In this weekly newsletter, Ben Caspit and Rina Bassist round up the biggest stories from Israel.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu’s far-right partners jeopardize Israeli ties with Jordan, Egypt

Statements by future National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and by his party colleague Avi Maoz are putting ties between Israel, Jordan and Egypt at risk.

Turkey-backed Syrian fighters man a checkpoint in the town of Marea in the northern Aleppo governorate, facing the Kurdish-controlled area of Tal Rifaat, Syria, Aug. 2, 2022.

Syrian opposition gears up for Turkish ground operation

As the Turkish-backed opposition factions prepare for an imminent Turkish ground operation against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, questions arise about the potential participation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the battle.

Israeli security forces guard a bus station at the Tapuach junction near the city of Nablus, West Bank, July 1, 2020.

US concerned over Netanyahu de facto annexing West Bank

For Washington, the concessions Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is now offering his far-right partners could quickly reignite tensions in the West Bank.

Fighters affiliated with the third corps of the Turkish-backed "Syrian National Army" man a turret at a position near Azaz in the rebel-held north of the Aleppo province, opposite the town of Menagh (Minaq) along the frontlines with areas under control by Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on November 29, 2022.

The Security Briefing: Pentagon tries to reason with Turkey

In this weekly newsletter, Pentagon Correspondent Jared Szuba rounds up the biggest security stories from the region.

Kanye West

Israeli ambassador condemns Kanye West for praising Hitler

Former president Trump recently met with the rapper, for which he was criticized by incoming Israeli prime minister Netanyahu.

A Saudi soldier mans a turret on a border guards' vehicle as it patrols the fence separating Saudi Arabia and Iraq, in the area around Arar city along the Saudi-Iraq border, March 12, 2017.

Iran-linked militia in Iraq threatens Saudi Arabia as Iraqi PM visits Tehran

Kataib Hezbollah are calling for more attacks on Saudi Arabia amid wrangling over who should protect the country’s borders.

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's Raisi downplays protests in visit to flashpoint Kurdish city

President Ebrahim Raisi made no reference to the killings of the protesters in the government crackdown and once again blamed the unrest on outside enemies.

Botter Apartmani

Building restoration program shores up Istanbul’s cultural heritage

Istanbul is working to protect its neglected structures while providing arts and culture spaces for the public.

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

French Palestinian detained in Israel to be released, deported to France

Citing his support of terror activities, Israeli authorities have decided to release Palestinian and French citizen Salah Hamouri from administrative detention, revoke his Jerusalem residency and expel him to France.

Israel's UN envoy Gilad Erdan inaugurating an exposition on the expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran, UN headquarters in New York, NY, Nov. 29, 2022.

Expulsion of Jews from Arab countries on display at UN headquarters

For the first time, Israel features at the United Nations an exhibition of documents and pictures that tell the story of the Jews forced to leave their homes in Arab countries and Iran over the establishment of the State of Israel.

MAST IRHAM/AFP via Getty Images

India invites Egypt to G20 summits

India has invited Egypt to be a guest country at the G20 meetings under its 2023 presidency.