Rebalancing Power in the Middle East

With Aden now under separatists' control, the latest flare-up of north-south violence risks distracting from the anti-Houthi front in Yemen, while fueling intra-southern conflict and jihadist attacks.

Major Lebanese patrons like Iran and its top rivals could be forced to update their positions if the country's escalating unrest succeeds in forcing real political change.

The United States will petition China and Russia's help to restart peace talks with the Taliban, knowing that a stable Afghanistan is in its enemies' interests as much as it's in its own.

The countries' air defenses are ill-equipped to stop Israeli strikes on their soil. Improving their capabilities, however, might open a whole new can of worms.

Long-standing frustrations over a lack of economic opportunity and unsolved corruption issues are feeding unrest that appears poised to intensify.

To deter future attacks on its vital oil sector, Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly weighing whether its next move should be a step closer, or further, from Iran.

Iran's latest attack has prompted the United States to send troops back to the Persian Gulf, instead of its emerging fronts with Russia and China.

Iran could gain if growing political, economic and security stressors lead to a change of leadership in Baghdad.

Even if the United States resumes peace talks, putting an end to the 18-year conflict will ultimately depend on whether the Taliban and the Afghan government can reach a lasting cease-fire.