Fourth round of US strikes in Yemen as Houthis vow retaliation The US launched the strikes just hours after the Houthis hit a US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel off Yemen's southern coast on Wednesday. Gulf
Yemen's Houthis hit another US-owned cargo ship as strikes fail to deter Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed they hit a US-owned bulk carrier with at least one naval missile in the Gulf of Aden, defying Washington and setting the stage for a prolonged tit-for-tat with the US military. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Israel’s first lady speaks out about 'unbearable' plight of women hostages in Gaza Michal Herzog, Israel's first lady, spoke to Al-Monitor about her mission to make the world recognize the sexual violence perpetrated against Israeli women on and since Oct. 7. Israel
Iran-Pakistan tensions simmer after strikes, IRGC officer killed in southeast Iran is seeking to contain the damage to its relationship with Pakistan following a deadly Iranian military strike in Pakistani territory targeting a dissident group. Iran
India secures trade, power with new naval role in Middle East Without aligning directly with the US-led mission against the Houthis in Yemen, the Indian navy's independent operations set a precedent for India's evolving military posture in West Asia and mark a departure from its traditional strategic restraint. By Mohammed Soliman In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics
Saudi Arabia nabs Rafa Nadal as its star tennis ambassador amid criticism Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has become an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, leading to criticism from some fans and furthering the kingdom’s tennis ambitions. Gulf
Alarmed over Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, Arab FMs rally behind Somalia, Egypt Somalia denied entry to an Ethiopian flight heading to Somaliland, as a controversial deal signed between the latter and Ethiopia continues to be a source of concern in the region. Egypt
US redesignates Yemen’s Houthis as terror group amid Red Sea attacks The Biden administration stopped short of branding the Houthis with the more severe Foreign Terrorist Organization label, which aid agencies warned would hinder their life-saving work in Yemen. Yemen
Davos 2024: Reaching net zero without space tech 'wishful thinking,' says Saudi minister On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha told Al-Monitor that technology will help countries deliver on climate promises. Saudi Arabia
Iraq, KRG leaders cancel meetings with Iran's FM at Davos over missile row Tensions between Baghdad and Tehran have flared since the Monday attack, which Tehran claimed targeted an Israeli "spy cell" in the city. Iraq