Analysis How Trump’s Venezuela oil grab could test OPEC’s power, Mideast energy models Over the longer term, Washington’s bid to bring the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves firmly into its orbit raises questions for OPEC's strategy and the outlook for big-spending Gulf producers. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Amid Saudi-UAE rivalry, Turkey courts Riyadh without crossing Abu Dhabi Turkey is moving closer to Saudi Arabia on key regional security files from Yemen to Gaza, while carefully avoiding a rupture with the United Arab Emirates. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US envoy pushes for Sudan truce in meeting with UAE’s MBZ after talks in Saudi Arabia Boulos’ meeting in Abu Dhabi follows discussions earlier this week in Riyadh, as the two Gulf countries navigate both Sudan diplomacy and a dispute over Yemen. Sudan
Meet Aidarus Zubaidi: Separatist leader at heart of Yemen’s power struggle Zubaidi’s Southern Transitional Council has experienced massive losses at the hands of the Yemeni government as Saudi Arabia ups its military campaign against the UAE-backed group. Yemen
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh The art of becoming By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Analysis From Red Sea to Horn of Africa: How Yemen exposed the Saudi-UAE divide By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran, Sudan fall out over Yemen The Saudi Arabian-led coalition against the Houthi rebels in Yemen has tested the decadeslong ties between Iran and Sudan. Saudi Arabia
First delivery of French weapons arrives in Lebanon Nearly 16 months since the announcement of $3 billion in Saudi military aid to Lebanon, the first weapons shipment from France has already disappointed. Saudi Arabia
Saudi elites divided on Yemen war A brief survey of Saudi opinion reveals that many elites consider Operation Decisive Storm a legitimate attempt to halt Iranian expansionism, while some view the intervention in Yemen as a sectarian war. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s deepening isolation in Yemen Saudi Arabia faces a quagmire in Yemen; a US-Iran “catalogue of cooperation” after a nuclear deal; Iranian activists skeptical on human rights progress; Israel unnerved by Russian decision on missile sale to Iran; the Good Friday massacre in Aleppo; is Erdogan shifting from sectarianism? Saudi Arabia
Nasrallah to Saudi Arabia: Enough is enough In a recent address to his supporters Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah voiced his disapproval of Saudi Arabia's regional policies, blaming the kingdom for inciting destruction across the region. Saudi Arabia
Israel-US tensions on Iran prompt Palestinian strategy Palestinians are adapting their strategy to the Iranian deal, proposing to use the same P5+1 model for negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and also an international supervision mechanism on the borders. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi PM walks back criticism of Saudi Arabia On his first official visit to Washington, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi showed how hard it is for his country to juggle conflicting outside powers. Saudi Arabia
Iran defense minister: Saudi Arabia will fail in Yemen Iranian defense minister says that Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen will fail and that it will prepare the collapse of the Saudi government. Saudi Arabia
Qaradaghi: We support action against Houthis In this interview with Al-Monitor, the secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Ali Mohiuddin Al Qaradaghi, shares the union’s relations to Hamas, views on Operation Decisive Storm and other Muslim affairs. Saudi Arabia
Saudi airport incident incites social media outrage in Iran Iranian social media users have erupted in anger over the two Iranian pilgrims allegedly assaulted in Saudi Arabia, prompting calls for calm from journalists. Saudi Arabia
Why Pakistan said no to King Salman Pakistan's unanimous decision to stay out of the conflict brewing in Yemen, and to push for a political resolution rather than a military one, puts significant strain on bilateral relations, complicating Saudi-Pakistani diplomatic relations. Legacy: Gulf
Iran suspends Saudi pilgrimages over youth assault allegations After assault accusations of Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, Iran has suspended umrah pilgrimages. Saudi Arabia