Saudi Arabia

BEHIND THE LINES: Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan are emerging as a powerful bloc - an alliance openly opposed to Israel.

The Houthis warned Saudi Arabia against further incursions and threatened to target Saudi airports and other vital interests. 

One option is to establish a new base in the Negev big enough to hold the American army’s forces, or to expand one of the Negev’s air force bases and allocate an American compound there.

Three others were wounded in the incident, though CENTCOM said that the helicopter was not forced to make an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea.

According to the WSJ, Saudi Arabia refused to allow the United States to use its bases and airspace for the mission. In retaliation, the White House threatened to withhold interception systems.

Israel shares common interests with many Gulf states – above all, the need to confront the “Iranian octopus.” 

Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the President of the UAE, said he sees the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel as a step to restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Ras Tanura hosts the largest refinery in the Middle East, and it is operated by Saudi Aramco, who own the helicopter involved in the incident.

A German court handed down a life sentence in a Christmas market attack that shocked the country and fueled debate over immigration ahead of national elections.

Rubio was in the UAE and then Kuwait. The visits to Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE are important, as these countries were attacked by Iran during the latest conflict.