Southern Sunni forces continue their advances in Marib province, which is in S Yemen and home to the country’s oil fields. Clearly, the Northerners blundered by driving on Aden earlier this year. Aden is Sunni and hostile to the Shia northerners. Will the Sunni forces make a similar mistake as they move into the Shia north.
Fighting continues on the Temple Mount/al Aqsa
Fighting has continued for a third day on the Temple Mount, former site of the great Temple of ancient Israel and present day site of the al Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The site is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims and was the flashpoint for the second Intifada. There has been a low-level insurgency in recent months, with attacks on several Israeli security forces.
North Korea restarts nuclear site
A North Korean reactor capable of producing plutonium is back in operation. Pyongyang says it is increasing the quantity and quality of its nuclear weapons. This was almost certainly done with the approval of N Koreas benefactors in Russia and China. N Korea plays a role in their strategy of challenging the US around there world and wearing down its resolve.