Analysis FIFA in turmoil: Middle East takes center stage as Infantino fights to stay in power Amid the backlash to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial investment plan, upcoming World Cup hosts Morocco and Saudi Arabia have starring roles in the drama. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact puts Iran's regional strategy to test The defense agreement is not an anti-Iran bloc, but it may reflect a deeper regional adjustment to years of Iranian asymmetric warfare as well as uncertainty over US security commitments. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign defense pact Houthi attacks kill 58 Yemeni government troops; Syria says bomb near Damascus wounds 14; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Explainer 'A claim to be tested': Can Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defense pact deter Iran? The pact commits the three countries to collective defense, bringing together NATO's second-largest army, the Muslim world's only nuclear power and the guardian of Islam's holiest sites. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf states map out a post-Hormuz export strategy By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Intel: Trump to 'look at' blocking Saudi oil exports as Republican pressure mounts President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to "look at" a potential embargo on Saudi oil shipments to the United States as record low oil prices turned negative for the first time ever. Saudi Arabia
What oil markets' 'bloody Monday' means for Gulf producers Gulf producers must navigate between an angry White House and Congress, with the threat of tariffs, and uncertainty regarding Asian partners and demand as a result of the pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
For Gulf, South Asia countries, worst is yet to come The pandemic is expected to be especially hard on migrant workers in the Mideast and South Asia, as it has left many of them unemployed and struggling to return home to an uncertain future. Legacy: Gulf
Hope for Yemen? Plus, three quick takes on the IMF’s outlook for Iran, Lebanon and Egypt The UN-Saudi peace initiative may be the best hope in an otherwise gloomy regional forecast during "The Great Lockdown." Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti says Ramadan prayers to be held at home As the number of coronavirus cases in the kingdom surpasses 7,000, the country's grand mufti suspended group prayers in mosques. Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Houthis seek regional role as part of Axis of Resistance Iran-backed Ansar Allah may have ambitions well beyond Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Is the new OPEC+ deal a win for Russia? The new OPEC+ deal has some advantages for Russia but some of the potential long-term implications may be dire for Moscow. Saudi Arabia
Amid Saudi-Russia price war, US on track to become net oil importer: Report The coronavirus and the Saudi-Russia oil price war are contributing to a fall in US oil production and the United States is expected to become a net oil importer again in the fall. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Saudis to discuss oil price war with new Republican detractors Saudi officials will hold a phone call to discuss the kingdom’s record high oil output with two Republican senators that have become the ringleaders in conservative efforts to pressure Riyadh into ending the price war. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s diverging regional coronavirus strategy The United Arab Emirates is showing openness to Iran during the coronavirus crisis, which could point to the UAE’s aim to break loose of the policies of its tradition Saudi ally. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Key Democrat says Yemen war restrictions 'on the table' in major defense bill House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., told Al-Monitor today that Democrats are considering renewing last year’s push to cut off US support to the Saudi-led coalition that is fighting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels as part of Congress’ annual defense authorization bill. Saudi Arabia
Battle for air supremacy heats up in Libya despite COVID-19 outbreak The warring parties in Libya are locked in a battle to gain the upper hand in the skies, the outcome of which will determine who grabs the strategic advantage in the conflict. Saudi Arabia