Yemeni presidential council leader Rashad Al Alimi launches military security apparatus project

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.

Muscat and Doha jostle for lead mediatory role in Iranian nuclear talks 

Both capitals want to be the main mediator in the negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme and are now competing directly for the role. Both have called in their respective spy chiefs to work behind the scenes to cultivate their special relationships with the West and Iran.

Al Naamani, still at Oman's security helm, tries to save Yemen ceasefire 

Despite the political rivalries in Oman, Mohammed Al Naamani remains firmly in place as Sultan Haitham bin Tariq's security chief. He has recently been instructed to continue with his mediation with Saudi Arabia on Yemen.

• UKRAINE/GERMANY - Macron-Scholtz trip to Kyiv puts BND in a cold sweat

• RUSSIA - Patrushev secures southern crossing points with Tatar president

• UKRAINE - Intelligence services to negotiate POW exchange

• YEMEN - Presidential Council already beset by tensions

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.

Saudi strategists sceptical of Yemen truce 

While the month of Ramadan is meant to deliver an unprecedented halt to hostilities in Yemen, regional intelligence services remain on alert, fearful of future actions by Houthi militiamen.

Pro-UAE Yemenis enlist services of adviser in Washington 

The Southern Transitional Council, which readily asserts its position among Yemen's anti-Houthi forces, has sent an envoy to the US capital to advocate on its behalf and report back to both Aden and Abu Dhabi.