Key development: Saudi Arabia and the Houthis are trading strikes in the Red Sea after the rebels tried to blockade Saudi oil shipments.
Regional Actors
(Update) The Houthis are calling Saudi Arabia’s retaliation a “dangerous escalation.” This comes after Saudi Arabia hit Houthi military targets on Friday in response to the rebels announcing a maritime blockade and attacking Saudi ships. (France24)
Context: The Houthis declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia—one of the world’s top oil producers—and started hitting its vessels in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia, a US ally, struck back at Houthi military targets on Friday. Now the Houthis are accusing Riyadh of escalating the situation. Separately, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones launched by Iran-backed militias from Iraq targeting oil facilities and Riyadh on Monday, while the Houthis claimed additional drone strikes on the kingdom’s oil infrastructure. This opens a new front in Middle East tensions beyond the usual Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.
Israel Policy
Israel’s former top general is now Netanyahu’s main competitor in the upcoming election. [UNCONFIRMED] Gadi Eisenkot is running on a platform promising to fix security, democracy, and national unity. (France24)
Context: Gadi Eisenkot, who used to run Israel’s military, has positioned himself as the primary alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the October 27 general election. His campaign centers on a 10-point plan that he says will restore what he frames as damaged security, democratic institutions, and social cohesion in Israel.
Sources: France24
What to watch: Whether the Saudi-Houthi Red Sea confrontation draws in other regional players or disrupts oil markets.