English Newsletter October 19

Al Majalla's October 19 English Newsletter featured a cover story questioning whether the Houthis can be defeated. Ibrahim Jalal provided battlefield updates on the ongoing conflict between Houthi rebels and Yemeni government forces. Saud Al-Masaud emphasized the regional significance of the struggle for Yemen's future. In contrast, Yang Xiaotong questioned whether it's time for China to reassess its stance towards the Houthis, outlining eight tests in her piece "Eight tests for the Trump-Xi 2026 détente."

Shirley Ze Yu highlighted that while the US-China summit in Washington yielded modest results, including a short trade truce extension and reciprocal tariff reductions, the true test lies ahead. Meanwhile, Abdulfattah Khattab discussed how Trump's tariffs have reshaped the global trade landscape. Marco Mossad pointed out that data centers are becoming a contentious issue as the US midterm elections approach, potentially influencing political dynamics.

On a geopolitical front, Christopher Phillips explored whether the United Kingdom is becoming increasingly disconnected from a centralized form of government. Rabia Abdul Salam examined the uncertain future of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). In Culture, Mohammed Magdy reviewed Ahmed Abdel Rabou's new book, "A World Without Law, Politics Without Principles," which discusses how the international system's failure contributed to the October 7 tragedy.

Houssam Marouf visited an art exhibition in Gaza where artists, having endured the war, utilized their work to express how their perception of 'home' has been altered by the devastation.

Finally, Hala al-Naji profiled Ms Rachel, an American educator and YouTube star who advocates for children in Gaza, a stance that has drawn criticism from the pro-Israel community.