Saudi strategists sceptical of Yemen truce

Oman's spymaster Mohammed Al Numani marks turf as mediator in Yemen talks 

As the conflict in Yemen enters its eighth year, Muscat, with strong support from Washington, is trying to hold on to its role as chief mediator, to the annoyance of Riyadh which would like to steer the process.

Houthis brainstorm new tactics as ceasefire ends 

After Saudi Arabia rejected the Houthis' demands for extending the ceasefire that first took effect in April, the Iran-backed rebels have not given up on their military operations.

MBS spares veteran spymaster Khaled bin Ali Al Humaidan in Saudi shake up 

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was appointed prime minister in September, has made another step towards the title of king. He is meanwhile ushering his young guard into the bastions of power - except for the intelligence service, which remains untouched.

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Together with Abu Dhabi, Riyadh sets up a new Yemeni Presidential Council 

While still trying to find a way out of the Yemeni conflict, Riyadh - in close cooperation with its Gulf allies - has just set up a new council made up of the highest ranking senior loyalists.

Riyadh and Muscat lock horns over Iranian weapon deliveries 

Oman's intelligence services, which are meant to be cracking down on the smuggling of Iranian weapons between the sultanate and Yemen, have yet again been caught out after the discovery of a missile shipment. Riyadh is alarmed by potential flaws in the Omani security apparatus.

Riyadh renews contact with Taliban via Pakistani intelligence 

Saudi Arabia, which is keen to find a new role for itself in Afghanistan, has contacted Pakistan's omnipresent Inter-Services Intelligence, which is already engaged in helping rebuild the Taliban army. Riyadh sees Afghanistan as offering a new opportunity to counter the activities of its rival, Iran, which is watching the new Saudi-Pakistani partnership uneasily.

Pasdaran attacks US's Al-Tanf Syrian Garrison 

Tehran's priority is to see US troops leave Syria and it has stepped up its deployment of armed drones, which were used to attack the Al-Tanf garrison in October.