US evacuates diplomat families from Middle East amid escalation fears

The United States is urgently evacuating families of diplomats from posts in the Middle East due to a looming threat of regional escalation, according to CNN. The operation is described as "chaotic déjà vu" for personnel who recently returned after being pulled out during the war with Iran. Many diplomats say the State Department's financial support is now significantly reduced, failing to cover the costs of relocating entire families again. Staff report learning about the evacuation from news reports rather than their leadership, and some are frustrated and angry after just settling back in. The evacuations come amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and President Donald Trump's talk of renewed strikes on Iran after the midterm elections. The State Department has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from Saudi Arabia and is adjusting staffing in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Lebanon.