Analysis Why Turkey is drawing the line at defense in its support for Saudi Arabia Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are forcing Mecca pact signatories to quickly operationalize their agreement, but are unlikely to draw Turkey into direct action against the Iran-backed group. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
What France’s military deployment means for Saudi Arabia’s fight against Houthis New pledges of limited British and French military deployments fall short of what Riyadh would likely need to defend its skies should the Houthis escalate further. Saudi Arabia
Explainer Saudi Arabia’s return to Hormuz puts oil transfer network to the test For months, Saudi Arabia had been eschewing the Strait of Hormuz, but the kingdom has now resorted to ship-to-ship transfers through the vital waterway. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Can Netanyahu turn Israel's UN isolation into strength at home? The absence of a Trump meeting would have been awkward for Netanyahu, who has long portrayed himself to Israeli voters as uniquely close to the US president. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Xi, Trump set to talk Iran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Riyadh Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem challenges power in Berlin By Rebecca Anne Proctor In Dubai, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Gulf The Gulf's UN agenda By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Newsletter: Business & Tech Washington’s Iran airline squeeze By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Iran officials defend Rouhani's Pakistan trip After criticism suggesting that President Hassan Rouhani’s trip to Pakistan did not achieve anything, officials from the administration and media linked to the administration have fired back. Saudi Arabia
After 10 years of war, are Yemenis hopeless? The war in Yemen has added a new group of internally displaced persons to that previously created during a decade of conflict between Houthis and the state. Legacy: Gulf
MP says Iran shuttered embassies over lack of funding According to one Iranian parliamentarian, financial issues were behind Iran's closing of a number of embassies, for which the Foreign Ministry has long complained of a lack of funding. Saudi Arabia
Can Hezbollah withstand Saudis' wrath? Hezbollah's actions are isolating Lebanon from the Arab states and exacerbating the country's already fractured and paralyzed politics. Legacy: Gulf
Erdogan takes authoritarian rule to new heights in war on PKK Terrorist bombing in Turkey kills two Americans as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan resurrects "thought crimes" in confronting critics; Is Iran a spoiler in Palestinian politics? Israel cool to feelers from Sudan. Saudi Arabia
What Russia's Syria shift means for Moscow-Riyadh ties Russia’s likely gradual and partial military withdrawal from Syria may minimize one of the irritants in the Russian-Saudi relationship, but it won’t address their fundamental differences. Saudi Arabia
Will Riyadh cancel aid to Egypt? Saudi Arabia might be using the promise of aid or the threat of withdrawing aid to get Egypt to toe the line politically in regard to Syria. Saudi Arabia
Why is Hariri back in Lebanon? There is much speculation about why Saad Hariri has returned to Lebanon, including that he plans to help elect a president so he can head a new Cabinet and save himself politically and economically. Saudi Arabia
Will Gulf sanctions impact Lebanon’s banking sector? Although the recent decisions by Gulf states to impose political and economic measures on Lebanon’s Hezbollah sparked concerns about the impact on the country’s economy, experts in the field say Lebanese banks will be able to overcome this phase. Legacy: Gulf
Qasem Soleimani defends Hezbollah In a rare speech, the head of Iran's Quds Force defended his country against accusations that it might be looking for trouble in the region. Saudi Arabia
How far will the Saudis go against Hezbollah? With Saudi Arabia labeling Hezbollah a terrorist organization, a decision that was endorsed by the GCC, the kingdom hopes to legally pursue the Lebanese movement in international forums. Legacy: Gulf
Will there be peace in Yemen? Signs point to Saudi Arabia wanting out of its war in Yemen as Oman-mediated talks open with the Shiite Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia