Saudi Arabia

Yemen

Politics

Military & Security

A plane carrying around 100 of Suadi Arabia's Houthi rebel prisoners arrived in Aden, Yemen, where the Red Cross will help facilitate their transfer back to Houthi territory as part of an overall cessation of fighting in Yemen, the AP reported May 6.

Yemen, Saudia Arabia: Saudis to Transfer Prisoners to Houthis as Part of Cease-fire

The Yemen Civil War

Security

The Saudi Survival Strategy

United Kingdom

Oman

United Arab Emirates

The Yemen-based Houthi rebel movement released the crew of the United Arab Emirates' flagged cargo ship Rwabee and a detained British man with Oman's assistance, Reuters reported April 25.

Yemen: Oman Facilitates Release of Houthi-held Prisoners

United States

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The U.S. Navy said it is establishing a new task force that will target arms smuggling in the waters around Yemen, Reuters reported April 13.

GCC, U.S.: U.S. Navy to Provide New Task Force in Red Sea

Yemeni President Mansour Hadi will permanently delegate his presidential powers to a new presidential council so the body can negotiate a ceasefire and eventually a final political solution with the country's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the BBC reported April 7.

Yemen: Hadi Delegates Presidential Powers to Council

Energy

A two-month ceasefire between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government began on April 2, although local media has already reported ceasefire violations in Yemen's resource-rich city of Marib, The Jerusalem Post reported April 3.

Yemen: Historic Ceasefire Will Facilitate Humanitarian Aid, but Will Not End War

On March 29, Saudi Arabia planned to host talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) about ceasefire strategies in the ongoing war in Yemen, but the Houthi movement boycotted the talks because they were being held in Saudi Arabia, the AP reported the same day.

Saudi Arabia, Yemen: GCC to Hold Peace Talks Without Houthis

Economics

In an 11-0 vote on Feb. 28, the U.N. Security Council expanded an arms embargo against Yemen's Iran-backed rebel Houthi movement to include all members of the movement, rather than just senior officials, AP reported March 1.

Yemen: U.N. Expands Arms Embargo Against Houthi Rebels

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Rebalancing Power in the Middle East

A little-known Iraqi militant group, the "True Promises Brigade," claimed to have launched an attack on the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 2, the same day the country's Defense Ministry said it intercepted three drones attempting to enter the country's airspace, Reuters reported Feb. 3.

UAE, Iraq, Iran: Purported Iraqi Drone Strike Complicates Abu Dhabi's Security Environment

Iran's Arc of Influence

Though Yemen has always suffered from instability, its recent history has been especially violent. What started as protests during the Arab Spring eventually developed into open warfare. One president was replaced by another. Cease-fires were declared but later ignored. The economy is in shambles. Water is scarce. The extremist groups that thrive in such an environment are now the object of U.S. counterterrorism policy, not to mention a problem for Saudi Arabia, which is more exposed to spillover violence and displaced refugees than any other country. Saudi Arabia has no choice but to shoulder the burden of the conflict, even if its policies for doing so clash with those of its erstwhile allies.

Yemen has always suffered from instability, but its recent history has been especially violent.

The Pulse of Political Islam

The Jihadist Wars

Snapshots

Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebels take part in a rally in Sanaa on June 3, 2022, a day after the country's warring parties agreed to renew a two-month truce.

Yemen may be edging toward a frozen conflict, as the need to keep humanitarian lifelines open push Houthi rebels and government forces to hold off on fighting.

In Yemen, a Renewed Cease-Fire Reflects Warring Parties’ Changing Priorities

Assessments

Guidance

Japan

South Korea

Europe

France

Ukraine

Russia

A photo shows the Sanaa International Airport in the Yemeni capital city on April 11, 2022. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: EU Mulls Sanctioning Russian Oil, Yemen's Main Airport Reopens

Mexico

Sri Lanka

An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches May 10, 2019 in the Red Sea from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. A U.S. Navy Red Sea task force will begin operating April 17 in the waters near the Bab el-Mandeb.

The Weekly Rundown: G-20 Finance Ministers Meet, a Red Sea Maritime Operation Targets the Houthis

Forces loyal to Yemen's Houthi rebels take part in a military parade in Sanaa on March 31, 2022. 

Yemen's warring sides have agreed to a two-month truce. But violations, especially around the key city of Marib, have already been reported.

The Hurdles to the Latest Cease-Fire in Yemen

Qatar

The emblem for the 2022 World Cup games is displayed on a museum building in Doha, Qatar, on Sept. 3, 2019.

With its physical security now less guaranteed than nearby Qatar's, the UAE will enact more social liberalization policies to remain a top destination for travel and investment. 

Houthi Attacks in the UAE Will Boost Qatar’s Business Appeal

Damaged buildings in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa are seen on Jan. 18, 2022, after the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen launched airstrikes in retaliation for a deadly Houthi attack on Abu Dhabi. 

The deadly Houthi strike on Emirati soil could spur a cycle of escalation that undermines the UAE’s reputation as a peaceful business hub. 

For the UAE, an Attack on Abu Dhabi Brings Yemen’s War Home

Saudi-backed government troops repel a Houthi rebel offensive in Yemen’s oil-rich Marib province on Feb. 14, 2021. 

As the 7-year civil conflict grinds on, the world’s worst humanitarian crisis will deepen and a peace deal will become harder to reach. 

Yemen Braces for Another Year of Devastating War

Bahrain

Kuwait

Lebanon

A portrait of Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi is seen on a billboard in Sanaa, Yemen, on Oct. 31, 2021. 

By alienating wealthy Arab Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, a Lebanese official’s show of support for Iran-backed proxies risks deepening his country’s financial crisis.

A Row Over Yemen Sends Lebanon-Gulf Ties Spiraling

A fighter with forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government holds a position against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the northeastern province of Marib on April 6, 2021. 

Bilateral talks between two of the Middle East’s biggest rivals could de-escalate conflict in areas where they both have influence, including Yemen.

Can Saudi Arabia and Iran Ease Tensions? 

An F-35 military aircraft participates in a NATO training exercise in the Netherlands.

The White House is expected to approve some weapons deals, but only if Abu Dhabi and Riyadh’s behavior stays aligned with U.S. regional goals.


UAE and Saudi Policy Changes Pave the Way for U.S. Arms Sales

Houthi rebels hold a funeral for fighters killed in Marib, Yemen, on March 23, 2021. 

The ongoing fighting will pressure Washington into helping Riyadh blunt more Houthi advances that would worsen Yemen's humanitarian crisis. 


In Yemen, Another Failed Saudi Cease-Fire Will Force U.S. Support

A Houthi fighter stands outside at a funeral for rebels killed in Marib, Yemen, on Feb. 28, 2021. 

U.S.-Saudi efforts to end Yemen’s war may soon face a major blow, as Houthis rebels inch closer to seizing the resource-rich city of Marib. 

The Yemen Civil War

SITUATION REPORTS

Yemen, Saudia Arabia: Saudis to Transfer Prisoners to Houthis as Part of Cease-fire

Yemen: Oman Facilitates Release of Houthi-held Prisoners

GCC, U.S.: U.S. Navy to Provide New Task Force in Red Sea

Yemen: Hadi Delegates Presidential Powers to Council

Yemen: Historic Ceasefire Will Facilitate Humanitarian Aid, but Will Not End War

Saudi Arabia, Yemen: GCC to Hold Peace Talks Without Houthis

Yemen: U.N. Expands Arms Embargo Against Houthi Rebels

UAE, Iraq, Iran: Purported Iraqi Drone Strike Complicates Abu Dhabi's Security Environment

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