Analysis France's defense chief pushes for 3 goals on Israel visit In Israel, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu is showing Paris’ willingness to further engage in ending the fighting in Gaza and preventing regional escalation. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Red Sea trade hit can be 'managed' amid weak global demand, says WEF Maroun Kairouz, director of the World Economic Forum for the Middle East and North Africa, told Al-Monitor that the Israel-Hamas conflict has not had a material impact on global energy markets so far. Yemen
Fatah prepares for Palestinian leadership succession amid focus on 'day after' in Gaza As President Mahmoud Abbas' approval sags, Fatah leaders have been searching for a formula to break the political impasse within the movement and prepare for potential postwar governance of the Gaza Strip. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Somali president visits Qatar, Egypt amid row over Somaliland-Ethiopia deal The tour comes after Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland signed a controversial deal that would give Addis Ababa access to the Red Sea. Somalia
Analysis Can US pressure Netanyahu to accept Palestinian state for Israel-Saudi normalization? The Biden administration is pushing for a comprehensive deal that would see Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept the two-state solution in exchange for the Saudis agreeing to normalize ties with Israel. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Sweden’s NATO membership Following Turkey’s ratification, Hungary remains to be sole holdout standing before Sweden’s accession to the transatlantic alliance. Turkey
Outcry as Iran executes young protester with mental illness: judiciary Mohammad Ghobadlou, who had allegedly a history of mental illness, was hanged in an Iranian prison in relation to his role in the 2022 nationwide protests. Iran
