Al Majalla’s cover story last week asked the question Can the Houthis be defeated? Our writers weigh in. For his part, Ibrahim Jalal provides battlefield updates as the Yemeni rebel group clashes with Yemeni government forces. Saud Al-Masaud explains why the fight for Yemen’s future is so consequential for the region. Meanwhile, Yang Xiaotong asks: Is it time for China to rethink its Houthi policy?
In her piece Eight tests for the Trump-Xi 2026 détente, Shirley Ze Yu looks at the aftermath of the recent US-China summit in Washington. “The achievements were underwhelming: a short trade truce extension, a reciprocal tariff reduction, a coal purchase, talks on AI, and two pandas," arguing that "what happens next is what matters."
Meanwhile, Abdulfattah Khattab explains how Trump’s tariffs have changed the global trade ecosystem. And Marco Mossad looks at how data centres are becoming a hot-potato issue as US midterm elections approach. In other news, Christopher Phillips asks, Is the United Kingdom drifting apart? For her part, Rabia Abdul Salam explains why Western Sahara’s MINURSO mission faces an uncertain future.
In Culture, Mohammed Magdy reviews Ahmed Abdel Rabou’s new book titled A World Without Law, Politics Without Principles, which explains How the international system's failure led to October 7. Houssam Marouf visits an art exhibition in Gaza where artists who endured the war have used their work to reflect how their understanding of ‘home’ has been changed by the devastation. And last but not least, Hala al-Naji profiles the American educator and YouTube star Ms Rachel, whose advocacy for children in Gaza has ruffled feathers in the pro-Israel camp.
Can the Houthis be defeated?
In this week's cover story, Al Majalla examines the military balance of power on the ground, the networks through which the Houthis obtain weapons, and the foreign support they receive
Politics
Operation Dawn of Yemen: a domestic fight with regional implications
Al Majalla tracks a rapidly shifting battlefield where stamina, not speed, will determine the ultimate victor
Politics
Is it time for China to rethink its Houthi policy?
Walking a tightrope between Riyadh and Tehran, Beijing has little room to manoeuvre, but it is not without options. More air defence systems and drones could help defend Saudi Arabia
Ms. Rachel, Gaza, and the power of education
As YouTube star Accurso's influence grew, she transitioned from educator to child advocate. But it only became 'controversial' when she spoke up for Palestinian kids
Hala Al-NajiOperation Dawn of Yemen: a nation's future at stake
Saud Al-MasaudIs the United Kingdom drifting apart?
Christopher PhillipsWestern Sahara's MINURSO faces an uncertain future
Rabia Abdul Salam
Business & Economy
Trump's tariffs are changing the global trade ecosystem
Trade routes and composition have changed, but not the overall flow, with ASEAN countries playing a bigger role
Science & Technology
Data centres: from engines for AI growth to electoral issue
Local opposition is growing over power costs, water, and land use, turning AI expansion into a political hot potato
Culture & Social Affairs
Gaza art exhibit reinterprets the meaning of home
From meaning to memory, artists who endured the war have used their work to reflect how their understanding of 'home' has been changed by the devastation
Culture & Social Affairs
How the international system's failure led to October 7
In his new book, 'A World Without Law, Politics Without Principles', Ahmed Abdel Rabou asks if international law is still capable of addressing contemporary crises
Eight tests for the Trump-Xi 2026 détente
The achievements of September's US-China summit are underwhelming: a short trade truce extension, a reciprocal tariff reduction, a coal purchase, talks on AI, and two pandas. The rest is what matters
