| | | | | | | Hello. For weeks, there have been concerns the war in Gaza could lead to a wider conflict in the Middle East. The US-led military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen suggest that’s starting to happen, writes international editor Jeremy Bowen in his analysis of the latest events in the Red Sea. Ahead of the Iowa Republican caucuses next week, Holly Honderich travels to Des Moines to hear voters’ thoughts on the only woman candidate on the list, Nikki Haley. We also take a look at the latest cosmological mystery, and at royal book recommendations. Both Jules and I got 3/7 in this week’s quiz. Now it’s your turn. |
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| | | | | | Questions Answered | | Tackling the Houthi threat in the Red Sea |  | | The Houthis are part of a network of allies and proxies that Iran has assembled for forward defence against its enemies. Credit: EPA |
| | The US and UK say the strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen aim to protect global shipping in the Red Sea, yet the context of the war in Gaza is key. Striving to be seen in opposition to the West, the Houthis claim to be targeting ships in response to Israel’s bombing of Gaza and disruption of aid deliveries. |  | | Jeremy Bowen, International editor |
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| | Will the strikes have any impact? | | The Houthis have experienced regular bombardment by the Saudis from 2015 until a ceasefire came in over a year ago, so a fresh round of strikes is unlikely to intimidate them. I don't think one single round of air strikes is going to do more than make them think yes, we are on the right track. | | What other risks are there? | | It is entirely possible that pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria will increase the action they are taking against American forces in the region. If that theatre heats up more, and US forces retaliate, it will be harder for the American diplomacy effort to avert all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia and political movement backed by Iran. | | What else could be done to counter the Houthis? | | Some critics of the American and British support for Israel say an immediate ceasefire in Gaza would be a much better way to stop the Houthi attacks than bombing them. If Houthi attacks continued after a ceasefire, the argument is that air strikes against them would have increased legitimacy. | | | | | | |
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AT THE SCENE |  Des Moines, USA | | What Iowa thinks of Nikki Haley |  | | In Iowa, Nikki Haley looks poised to swipe the second place spot from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Credit: Getty Images | | Former President Donald Trump has a comfortable polling lead over Republican rivals for the party’s presidential nomination. The Iowa caucuses on 15 January will be the first test of those surveys’ accuracy, and whether candidates like former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley - whose numbers have shown momentum - have a shot at the White House. |  | | Holly Honderich, BBC News |
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| Ms Haley's campaign often looks and sounds like something out of 2012: more compromise and pragmatism, fewer grievances and conspiracy theories. She is a staunch conservative, but she speaks with nuance on hot button issues like abortion and immigration, and is less eager to wade into the country's culture wars.
Voters said they valued Ms Haley's tone and her civility - a clear departure from Mr Trump, who spent part of this week in a federal appeals court for one of the four separate criminal cases he now faces. "She's boring," one Iowan said of Ms Haley, before quickly clarifying he meant it as a compliment. "We need to get out of the era of politics that is dominated by what someone tweeted." |
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| | The big picture | | The Big Ring defying astronomical principles |  | | An artist's impression highlighting the positions of the Big Ring (in blue) and Giant Arc (shown in red) in the sky. Credit: Stellarium |
| | Scientists at the University of Central Lancashire have discovered a gigantic, ring-shaped structure in space. Not visible to the naked eye because of its distance, the Big Ring is formed by galaxies and galaxy clusters that defy one of astronomy’s cosmological principles. | | | | |
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| | | For your downtime | | Memories of silk past | | Uzbekistan bets on its modern replica of old Samarkand. | | |
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| | And finally... on the royal shelves | | Queen Camilla is known for being an avid reader and for her sense of humour. Both of these characteristics were displayed in one of the choices for her online book club, a 2007 thriller called The Lords' Day. Written by Michael Dobbs, a member of the House of Lords and author of the novel that inspired Netflix’s House of Cards, it caused controversy on publication because it sees members of the Royal Family being held hostage following a security breach in Parliament. |
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