Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Dies [WSJ]

“Leader Promoted Stability”

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Abdullah talk before a meeting at the king’s desert encampment in Rawdat al-Khuraim on Jan. 5, 2014

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Family

• Salman bin Abdulaziz: Saudi Arabia’s new King [WSJ]

Yemen

• Yemen’s President, Cabinet Resign After Militia Goes Back on Political Deal [WSJ]

“Yemen’s president and cabinet resigned on Thursday.

The resignations come a day after the Houthi militia and President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi signed a deal that would see the minority group withdraw from government and military infrastructure in exchange for greater political power.

The Houthis represent the country’s Zaidi sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.”

Iran

Iran Nuclear Deal

• EU Court Rejects Freeze on Iran Bank [WSJ]

“The European Union’s second-highest court struck down sanctions on a leading Iranian bank and a string of Iranian shipping companies.”