MUST-READS

• War in Yemen
  Coalition considers pauses in Yemen airstrikes to let aid in

  Saudi Arabia is considering temporary halts in coalition airstrikes against rebels in Yemen to allow for aid deliveries, foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir said on Monday. The kingdom will consult members of the coalition on “finding specific areas inside Yemen ... where all air operations will be paused at specific times to allow for the delivery of aid,” Mr Al Jubeir said.

  • New York Times (Paywall) - Yemeni Fighters Trained in Persian Gulf Are Said to Join Saudi-Led Mission
  • Reuters - Saudi-led alliance mulls partial truces in Yemen: statement
  • Yahoo - Hundreds protest against Qaeda control of Yemen city
  • WSJ (paywall) - Saudi-Led Coalition Accused of Using U.S.-Supplied Cluster Munitions in Yemen
  • Washington Post - Why Senegal is sending troops to help Saudi Arabia in Yemen
• Aviation
  The Arab Battle for U.S. Skies

  America’s biggest airlines say the luxury carriers of the oil-rich Persian Gulf aren't playing fair. But are Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways subsidized -- or just smarter?

• U.S. - Saudi: Educational Partnership
  GW Partners with Saudi University to Prepare Education Leaders

  The George Washington University expanded its partnerships in the Middle East this week, as the Graduate School of Education and Human Development signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Taibah University to collaborate on a doctoral program in educational leadership.

• Yemen in Crisis
  GCC to hold Riyadh summit on Yemen crisis

  Saudi King Salman announced on Tuesday the establishment of a center to coordinate humanitarian assistance for Yemen, and invited the United Nations to join in relief work for the Arab country.

  • Al-Monitor - Analysis: Costs for Saudi Arabia and Iran in Yemen war
• Saudi - France
  France, Saudi seeking to seal billions of euros in deals ‘quickly’: Fabius

  France is in talks to agree billions of euros worth of contracts in Saudi Arabia that could be finalised "quickly", ranging from the defense sector to civil aviation, transport and energy, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Tuesday.

• Saudi Arabia
  Saudi king sacks senior aide for photographer ‘slap’

  Saudi Arabia's King Salman sacked a senior aide on Tuesday, shortly after a video posted online appeared to show the official slapping a photojournalist, state media said.

• Iran Negotiations: GCC
  France, Saudi Arabia: Iran nuclear deal must be verifiable, no threat to region

  Saudi Arabia invited French President Francois Hollande, whose country is deemed to have the toughest stance among the six world powers negotiating with Iran, to Riyadh to discuss regional issues with Gulf Arab leaders who fear a rapprochement with Tehran could further inflame the region.

• IMF Regional Outlook Update
  IMF Sees Need for Significant Saudi Spending Cuts as Oil Drops

  The country’s ruler should encourage the private sector to take the strain off government finances, Ahmed said. An IMF team will visit Saudi Arabia this month to assess government plans, he said.

  • IMF - Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan: Oil, Conflicts, and Transitions
• U.S. - Pakistan
  After years of tension, anti-American sentiment ebbs in Pakistan

  Those observers say the change is being driven by a Pakistani middle class that is now more supportive of American drone strikes — which have declined precipitously in recent years — particularly since a school massacre by the Taliban that killed about 150 students and teachers in December. And as conflict spreads in the Middle East, there is a growing recognition in Pakistan that sectarian violence in Muslim countries isn’t all driven by the United States. The Obama administration’s efforts to quietly rebuild relationships here are starting to have an effect, analysts say.

• ISIS and U.S.
  ISIS claims Texas attack via official radio station

  ISIS Tuesday claimed responsibility for its first attack on U.S. soil in which two gunmen were killed after opening fire at an event in Texas showcasing cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammad.

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