Netanyahu's ultranationalist minister pick concerns US American officials are warning opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu that including ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir in a possible future cabinet would damage Israel’s relations with its great ally. Israel
Egypt persuades Israel to extract Gaza’s natural gas Al-Monitor obtained information from Palestinian and Egyptian officials about the success of Egyptian mediation in pushing Israel to allow the start of extracting natural gas off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Egypt
Culture Egypt softens toward organ donation After years of initiatives and calls for post-mortem organ donation, the Egyptian government is considering establishing an organ registry and expanding organ transplant surgeries. Egypt
Egypt claims wheat self-sufficiency despite Ukraine war Over the past three months, Egypt has bought 3.5 million tons of wheat from local farmers as it works to achieve self-sufficiency and weather the effects of the global crisis caused by the Russian war on Ukraine. Egypt
Analysis Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine hints at reliance on Iran Problems equipping Russian troops with "nationally developed drones" leave Russia's military primarily operating Iranian drones. By Anton Mardasov
Syria and Iran lower tariffs per free trade agreement Syria and Iran signed a free trade deal more than 10 years ago but are still working out the details. The two countries are not major trade partners despite being political and military allies. Iran
Turkey boosts soft power in Central Asia with Nomad Games Turkey has stepped up its charm offensive toward energy-rich Central Asia with traditional archery and horseback fights over a goat's carcass. Turkey
In EU dialogue, Lapid recommits Israel to two-state solution Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid addressed the long-defunct council for the Israel-EU Association Agreement today in a major step toward resuming dialogue with the European Union. Israel
Saudi minister meets with Google, Zoom in California The official visit comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to grow its industrial sector. Saudi Arabia
