My latest article on the MAJOR changes that happened in #Oman this week is out. The Sultan devolved some his powers to others, trimmed the government, and shifted the focus to the economy. Let's hope it works! More in the article... washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysi… Thread / Eight months in, the new leader of #Oman has formed his first cabinet. Multiple decrees issued by Sultan Haitham this week will reduce the government’s size, install a strikingly technocratic and experienced cabinet, and devolve significant authority to certain ministers

The Sultan of #Oman has issued ten decrees, including promoting his full brother to a senior defense post and changing out the ambassadors to #Iran, #Kuwait, and the #UAE. //Thread omannews.gov.om/NewsDescriptio… Sultan Haitham appointed Shihab Bin Tarik al-Said (his full brother) as Deputy PM for Defense Affairs where he "shall have the powers and prerogatives of Head of Unit" as it pertains to the MoD. Assad, Haitham's older half-brother, is already Dep PM for Int'l Cooperation. #Oman

Thread on highlights from #Houthi/#AnsarAllah leader Abdulmalik’s first interview with Al Masirah (@almasirah), the Houthis' TV channel. (Context in parentheses). Thread ≠ endorsement. EN translation linked below (but not great). #Yemen english.almasirah.net/details.php?es… 1/ Some terminology context: (a) the #Houthis call themselves AnsarAllah (AA). To them, “the Houthis” are merely the family with the last name “Houthi” to which Abdulmalik Al Houthi (AMH) belongs; (b) the Houthis call the #Saudi-led coalition “the aggression.” #Yemen