Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the Headlines
Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world
What are Saudi Arabia's options as Houthi attacks escalate?
Strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure put Riyadh's defence strategy and political calculations to the test
Gaza ceasefire: A year of stalled promises
Aid is lacking and reconstruction has yet to begin
What happens next after US withdrawal from Iraq?
Departure hailed as important day for Iraqis but concerns remain that it could tip balance of power in Iran’s favour
How did the Houthis become so emboldened?
Rebel group's intensified attacks in Yemen and Saudi Arabia add to global shipping threats as a new front opens in the Iran war
What will UK sanctions against Israeli settlements change?
Controversial E1 settlement project comes under pressure as international community takes bolder action
Can Hezbollah survive without money?
Economic pressure on Iran could disrupt its ability to finance the Lebanese group
What’s behind the Israel-Turkey power struggle in Syria?
Israel’s latest attack on an Idlib airfield has prompted fears of further escalation in the region
The compounded burdens weighing down humanitarian work
Mercy Corps CEO Tjada McKenna talks about navigating landscape plagued by conflict and funding cuts
How cheap weapons are changing the balance of military power
US-Iran conflict has exposed growing challenges of dealing with drones, dwindling stockpiles and rising cost of defence
What do the Houthis stand to gain by escalating now?
Iran-backed group has opened several fronts with attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, Yemeni government forces and Saudi targets
How Palestine's economy has been pushed to the brink
From suspended work permits to frozen tax revenue, Israeli policies are reshaping daily life across Gaza and the occupied West Bank
![A damaged car and a damaged building are seen at the site of a strike in Bartalla in the northern Iraqi Nineveh province on July 29, 2026. US-Saudi strikes on Iraq on July 29 killed at least 20 members of a former paramilitary alliance that includes pro-Iran groups, the alliance said. The United States and Saudi Arabia said they had struck Iran-backed militants in Iraq in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP) / Attention editors: AFP covers the war in the Middle East through its extensive regional network, including bureaus in Tehran, Jerusalem and several neighboring countries. Since the start of the conflict, journalists have been working under increasingly restrictive conditions. Authorities in several countries have limited reporters’ movements, photo and live video coverage from sensitive locations. Some governments and armed groups have banned images of missile or drone strikes and other security-related sites. / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Ziad OBEID has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: corrects byline [Zaid AL-OBEIDI] instead of [Ziad OBEID]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. ”](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/PLSC2TSQZTFNYGSCPBJVUPIB2I.jpg?auth=b0d3bd2d2b21bfcd8f9d5a89db763ef91727ee31e46f2bd5651027a66d97a8f5&smart=true&width=299&height=167)
What the US-Saudi strikes on militias in Iraq reveal about the wider war
We look at how Saudi Arabia's escalation fits into the broader trajectory of the US-Iran war
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