AL-MONITOR: The Pulse of The Middle East

Eastern Libya parliament approves maritime deal with Turkey, drawing Greek rejection

2026-10-20T14:46:26-0400

BENGHAZI, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Libya's eastern parliament approved a maritime boundaries deal with Turkey on Tuesday, drawing swift condemnation from Greece which called it a violation of international law.

The deal is part of a years-old dispute over competing claims to sea borders and energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

It was originally agreed in 2019 by Libya’s internationally recognised government in Tripoli in the west, but the rival eastern administration under military commanderKhalifa Haftar had withheld its approval for years.

US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says

Rosaleen Carroll — 2026-10-20T14:42:17-0400

The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless."

US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says

Rosaleen Carroll — 2026-10-20T14:42:17-0400

The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless."

US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says

Rosaleen Carroll — 2026-10-20T14:42:17-0400

The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless."

US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says

Rosaleen Carroll — 2026-10-20T14:42:17-0400

The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless."

Iran tells Pakistan army chief no talks with Washington until demands are met

2026-10-20T13:46:31-0400

CAIRO, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Iran told Pakistan's army chief on Tuesday that there would be no talks with Washington until Tehran's demands were met, Iranian media reported, underscoring its hardening stance despite mediation efforts by key interlocutor Pakistan.

President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed mediation efforts and regional developments with Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran, according to Nournews.

UK police arrest pair on suspicion of helping Iranian intelligence over RAF Fairford incident

2026-10-20T13:46:31-0400

LONDON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - British police said on Tuesday they had re-arrested two men on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence as part of their investigation into activity at the RAF Fairford air base last month.

RAF Fairford had been used by US bombers to carry out strikes on Iran, but American B-1 bombers were withdrawn shortly after five British men were arrested outside the military base in southwest England in the early hours of September 27.

Turkey submits Saudi-Pakistan defence pact to parliament for ratification, sources say

2026-10-20T13:46:31-0400

By Huseyin Hayatsever, Nevzat Devranoglu and Ece Toksabay

ANKARA, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Turkey has submitted a defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for ratification, three parliamentary sources said on Tuesday, moving NATO's second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defence pledge with Riyadh as it faces Houthi attacks.

The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

A correspondent in Tehran — 2026-10-20T13:43:17-0400

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

A correspondent in Tehran — 2026-10-20T13:43:17-0400

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

A correspondent in Tehran — 2026-10-20T13:43:17-0400

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

A correspondent in Tehran — 2026-10-20T13:43:17-0400

As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals.

Canada, Turkey set to sign pledge during Carney visit to deepen defence, energy ties, source says

2026-10-20T12:46:26-0400

ANKARA/TORONTO, Oct 20 (Reuters) - NATO allies Canada and Turkey are expected to sign a joint declaration aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in four areas, including defence and energy, during Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit later this week, a person briefed on the matter said.

The declaration is also expected to encompass the economy, looking to advance free trade talks between the countries, while boosting social and diplomatic ties. The countries would establish committees in all of the areas to draft action plans, the person said.

UN demands aid access to besieged Yemen city Taiz

2026-10-20T11:30:42-0400

The United Nations insisted Tuesday that aid must immediately be allowed to enter Yemen's Taiz, besieged by pro-Iran Houthi fighters who are preventing supplies from reaching the country's third-largest city.

Houthi fighters have encircled Taiz since early October, blocking the road that links it to Aden, interim capital of the Saudi-backed, internationally-recognised government.

"Humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to enter the city and its passage must be facilitated," UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement.

Houthi attacks undermine Saudi Arabia's economic ambitions

2026-10-20T11:30:42-0400

With airports closed and the capital brought to an effective standstill, attacks by Yemen's Houthis on Saudi Arabia have thrown a wrench in the kingdom's ambitious plans to overhaul the economy and draw foreign investment.

A decade ago, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched his bold Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the economy away from oil and turn the powerful monarchy into a hub for tourism, international events and multinational enterprises.

Yemen displacement tops 250K as Houthis tighten siege on Taiz: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-10-20T11:14:59-0400

The Houthis are looking to completely seize Taiz city, with clashes escalating in other parts of the south as well.

Yemen displacement tops 250K as Houthis tighten siege on Taiz: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-10-20T11:14:59-0400

The Houthis are looking to completely seize Taiz city, with clashes escalating in other parts of the south as well.

Yemen displacement tops 250K as Houthis tighten siege on Taiz: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-10-20T11:14:59-0400

The Houthis are looking to completely seize Taiz city, with clashes escalating in other parts of the south as well.

Yemen displacement tops 250K as Houthis tighten siege on Taiz: What to know

Adam Lucente — 2026-10-20T11:14:59-0400

The Houthis are looking to completely seize Taiz city, with clashes escalating in other parts of the south as well.

Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest

Jack Dutton — 2026-10-20T11:11:23-0400

France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption.