International reporter @NYTimes
Dubai, UAE
Joined January 2014
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Ismaeel Naar retweeted
The image of the Houthis as a primitive militia fighting barefoot is misleading and increasingly outdated. This cave-based command post features a satellite-connected laptop, tablet, secured landline telephone, two-way radios, printer, and solar-powered electrical systems. Notice the communications reference card hanging around his neck, it contains radio call signs, unit identifiers, and command codes used for coordination and mobilization. This is an organized military communications infrastructure, not simply men with rifles and sandals. This is the result of 22 years of fighting an insurgency, adapting, and learning on the battlefield, combined with lessons drawn from Lebanese Hezbollah, Iraq’s Islamic Resistance, and Iran’s IRGC Quds Force.
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
Saudi Arabia is cash rich: ~$700 billion in foreign assets
But cashflow poor: it has been running two deficits (chart)
The Iran war, and the fighting with the Houthis, are adding to the bill
Full analysis on @TheTerminal
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
🇦🇪
UAE formally nominates Lana Nusseibeh for United Nations Secretary-General
wam.ae/en/article/3csjtim7-u…
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
Received from one of @AzizAlghashian friends :
"To Aziz’s friends, colleagues, and all those who appreciated his work,
I share this list of charity drives in Aziz’s name. All donations will be collected and distributed by Ehsan, the official national platform for charitable work in Saudi Arabia, so you can give with full confidence.
If you wish to donate on his behalf, please use any of the links below:
Water Endowment (وقف سقيا ماء)
ehsan.sa/campaign/42898C18B7
Healthcare (الرعاية الصحية)
ehsan.sa/campaign/B01FD601FB
General Endowments (الأوقاف - عام)
ehsan.sa/campaign/5549E85FC1
ehsan.sa/campaign/4FD85674FD
ehsan.sa/campaign/C353486200
ehsan.sa/campaign/C6EC53E59D
قال رسول الله ﷺ: "إذا مات ابن آدم انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث: صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له"
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which people benefit, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
Aziz left behind a wealth of knowledge that people continue to benefit from, and family, friends, and loved ones who pray for him. God willing, his deeds will not cease, including through ongoing charity.
May Allah have mercy on him, forgive him, and grant him the highest ranks of Paradise."
Amin
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
A Gulf bailout for Bahrain is a matter of how, not if
Even before the Iran war, markets were betting on one
The war has made the need more urgent
But its financial toll & regional politics complicate matters
1/5
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
Saudi Arabia’s marquee investment conference will be postponed to 2027, according to a notice that its organizers sent to participants, underscoring how missile and drone strikes on the kingdom are jeopardizing its economic diversification plans.
nytimes.com/2026/10/19/busin…
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Dr. @AzizAlghashian
A great guy and scholar deserves a better tribute but I’m honestly in shock.
إنّا لله وإنّا إليهِ رَاجعُون
Extremely saddened to hear of the loss of my dear friend and colleague @AzizAlghashian. He was a great man and thinker and never hesitated to help journalists understand Saudi Arabia, especially young journalists. We will miss him immensely.
Deeply saddened by the loss of my friend, Saudi political researcher @AzizAlghashian.
A genuinely kind and thoughtful person. I always valued our conversations and his calm, insightful views, grounded in facts and free from prejudice.
May Allah grant him the highest place in Paradise.
President Sisi said any Egyptian military assistance for Saudi Arabia would require parliamentary approval, he said today at a military graduation ceremony
“I call on parliament to convene an emergency session to authorise us to take action to intervene in defence of Saudi Arabia, if we are asked to do so,” he said.
Egypt's lower chamber of parliament then announced it will meet in an emergency session tomorrow.
youtube.com/watch?v=17NyHCv9…
Welcome to the Gulf bureau. Looking forward to working together Humza.
After 2.5 wonderful years with the @FT in Islamabad, I am thrilled to announce that I have joined the @nytimes to cover business and economic affairs across the Gulf Cooperation Council. I am now based in Dubai. Please send any tips or advice to [email protected]!
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
I am interviewing people affected by the Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport to help readers understand the human impact 💔 Searching for witnesses, family members, flight crew, emergency responders, medical professionals. Please contact me via DM or on Signal at RiyadhBureau.64
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
The Iran-backed Houthi militia attacked an international airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Saturday, killing at least 12 people and injuring at least 50, according to three officials briefed on the strike.
nytimes.com/2026/10/10/world…
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
We spent weeks interviewing soldiers & officials to reconstruct how the Houthis won a perch on the Bab al-Mandab Strait — setting in motion a chain of events that has plunged Yemen back into war.
What we found imparts dark lessons for the battles to come:
nytimes.com/interactive/2026…
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
Our headlines and live coverage contain all the facts we're able to confirm as we confirm them. Unlike activists and partisans, we don't publish speculation or unverified information. Here's a Gift Link to follow along as we update our reporting:
nytimes.com/live/2026/09/30/…
Breaking news: A plane flying from Dubai to Israel was diverted after an altercation between the pilot and co-pilot, Israeli officials said. nyti.ms/4rHOvin
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
My beloved Pops & Dolly Parton. His deep bond w/her (& Cash, Waylon, Willie, Loretta etc) wasn’t just as founder/ed of Country Music Mag. Like them, he rode music, creativity & chutzpah wildly far from poor rural roots they still loved. They showed him, & thus me, how to live. ❤️
Hello Dubai X community! I'm working on a feature story about residents who had lived in the Toyota building, especially any long-term and older residents who watched the city of Dubai rise from the ground.
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
Allies used to worry whether America would. Now, friends and foes wonder whether America can.
My @WSJ essay on how the perception of America’s diminished capability after the inconclusive war on Iran is reshaping the strategic landscape.
wsj.com/world/us-weapons-sto…
Ismaeel Naar retweeted
Worth noting that hours after Trump's declaration that the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal is contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel, we still have no comment from the Saudi government (and no indication that they were aware of this being a condition when they signed the deal).