Gulf
Mecca Pact Activated as Rubio Pledges Support to Riyadh Without Naming a Single Action
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan invoked the Mecca Pact on October 5 as Rubio backed Riyadh’s right to defend itself but named no US action.
6 min read
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Gulf
- Gulf
Saudi Arabia Enters the Yemen War With 100 Jets as Houthis Retreat
Saudi Arabia has formally joined Yemen’s war with 100 fighter jets behind Operation Dawn of Yemen. The Houthis overreached at Taiz for Iran’s agenda, are losing Bab el-Mandeb and Mokha, and cannot recover.
9 min read
- Gulf
Saudi Research Chief Joins STS Council as AI Openness Debate Reaches Kyoto
SPA reported that Saudi research chief Munir Eldesouki joined the STS Forum Council during a Kyoto meeting on AI openness. Saudi Arabia already lists national AI governance frameworks; the next test is whether agencies apply them to research data, model openness and access.
4 min read
- Gulf
Saudi Arabia Lost a Spy Plane to Iran. Now the Houthis Will Pay
Iran’s March strike on Prince Sultan Air Base cost Saudi Arabia one of its two RE-3 surveillance jets. That explains Riyadh’s calls for British tankers and allied intelligence before a major offensive against the Houthis, and the Houthis cannot stop it.
8 min read
- Gulf
G7 Oil Release: Diesel Faces a 20-Day Test
The Hormuz response needs delivery records separating March commitments from extra supply.
2 min read
- Gulf
After the Medina Strike, Saudi Arabia Waits for Washington Before It Hits the Houthis
A Houthi drone hit the power station serving the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Saudi Arabia will answer with overwhelming force once US troops rejoin the war after the midterms, and the signs of that return are already visible.
11 min read
- Gulf
Flydubai FZ1073: Why the Jet Landed in Saudi Arabia, Not Israel, and Why the Terror Story Is Not Proven
The flydubai FZ1073 cockpit stabbing ended in Tabuk, where Saudi Arabia sheltered Israeli passengers but refused Israeli military planes. Israel calls it terror; the evidence so far fits a cockpit fight, and the flight recorders will decide.
9 min read
- Gulf
Saudi Arabia and the UAE Must Mend Their Rift Before the Houthis Take Yemen
Saudi Arabia’s defence minister summoned the UAE’s vice president to Riyadh for one reason: Yemen. With the Houthis pushing on Taiz and the Red Sea coast, the two Gulf powers have no time left to stay divided.
10 min read
- Gulf
Katz Says Jihadist Terror, Netanyahu Says Too Early: How Israel and the UAE Handled the Flydubai Cockpit Attack
Katz called the flydubai cockpit attack jihadist terror, Netanyahu said it was too early to say, and the UAE readout named no motive. How each statement fits.
6 min read
- Gulf
Iran Warns the UAE, Riyadh Denies a Seat, Doha Keeps Mediating: The Fallout From Netanyahu’s Abu Dhabi Trip
Iran warns the Gulf, a Saudi source denies a seat at the table, the UAE condemns Ben Gvir and Qatar’s prime minister calls Netanyahu a war criminal.
4 min read
- Gulf
Saudi Foreign Minister Rushes Back to Washington as Riyadh Prepares for War With the Houthis
Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s second US trip in days follows Houthi missiles on Riyadh, an Iranian ‘mediation’ offer and a hidden Iranian strike on US Marines. Washington will not fight before the midterms, and Riyadh is preparing for the battle anyway.
11 min read
- Gulf
Why Saudi Arabia Is Holding Its Fire on the Houthis, and When It Will Strike
Trump’s rejection of Iran’s Hormuz offer and his plan to resume strikes after the midterms set the clock for Saudi retaliation against the Houthis. Riyadh is not surrendering; it is preparing.
10 min read
- Gulf
For Saudi Arabia, an Open Hormuz Must Also Be Toll-Free
Saudi Arabia has renewed its demand for Hormuz to reopen without fees or restrictions. Earlier European and US statements show why passage and free access are different tests.
4 min read
- Gulf
Saudi Arabia Faces the Houthis Almost Alone. Arab States Must Stand With It Now
Houthi missiles are hitting Riyadh while Saudi Arabia’s allies offer pledges, Washington steps back and Israel sees an opening. Arab states must mobilise and stand with the kingdom now.
9 min read
- Gulf
Saudi Military Spending: The Test Facing Khalid bin Salman
Saudi military spending faces a test of readiness, allied support and accountability. What should Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman answer for?
7 min read
- Gulf
Saudi Arabia’s Houthi Dilemma: Oil, Attacks and Truce
How attacks, oil export disruption and unconfirmed truce reports shape Saudi Arabia’s options in its conflict with the Houthis.
5 min read
