Egypt took another major step toward rapprochement with Qatar last week, as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made a two-day visit to Doha. The improved relations serve different purposes for each country, though, as Cairo looks to bolster its economy while Doha attempts to boost its diplomatic clout.
Yemen’s latest truce extension was reached with difficulty, in part because the Houthis no longer feel they have any incentive to make further concessions. With the clock already running down on the two-month extension, the group’s lack of meaningful engagement poses a serious threat to the prospects for reaching a lasting peace.