Red Sea Security: Yemen’s Houthis have completed a takeover of the Bab al-Mandab area, including Mayyun/Perim island, after fighting with Saudi-backed forces and amid renewed airstrikes—raising the stakes for shipping at a key chokepoint. Sanctions & Counter-Proxy Pressure: The US expanded sanctions on networks supporting Iran-backed groups, targeting financial, logistical and sanctions-evasion support tied to Kataib Hezbollah and Lebanese Hezbollah across Iraq, Lebanon, the UAE and Turkey. Settlement Trade Restrictions: The UK, followed by France and others, announced bans on goods and services tied to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including sanctions on specific companies and individuals and limits on arms licensing. BRICS Diplomacy: Putin and Modi embraced ahead of BRICS talks in New Delhi, with trade, energy and defence on the agenda as the summit tests the bloc amid Middle East tensions. War-Linked Market Moves: Oil prices pushed above $100 as Iran-related risks and Hormuz concerns feed inflation fears, while Dubai’s airport said it is still operating despite regional disruptions. Governance & Elections: Israel’s fractured election math may hinge on Arab parties for coalition formation, with polls suggesting neither bloc can reach a 61-seat majority alone. 9/11 Anniversary Lens: Coverage marks 25 years since the attacks, including how post-9/11 security and policy shifts continue to shape governance and public life.