How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy. Syria
Syria sustains drone attack from Iraq, tackles smuggling tunnels on Lebanon border The incidents on Syria's borders follow threats against the transitional government by Iran and its proxies in Iraq. Syria
Here is what to know about Kuwait-Iraq maritime dispute Arab Gulf countries expressed support for Kuwait’s sovereignty after Iraq sent a revised map of its maritime borders that reignited a decades-old dispute over sea boundaries between the two neighbors. Kuwait
Exclusive Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What Syria and Israel’s new communications cell really signals By Rosaleen Carroll , Rina Bassist
Analysis Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Freedom House: Syria, Western Sahara worst in world for political rights The think tank also downgraded Jordan to "not free" in its 2021 democracy rankings. Jordan
Turkey to purchase fourth drilling ship to expand energy projects Amid maritime boundary disputes in the eastern Mediterranean and after a 2020 gas field discovery the Black Sea, Turkey’s state-owned oil and gas company is finalizing the purchase of a fourth drilling ship to expand its energy development activities. Turkey
Will Sudan-Ethiopia border conflict affect GERD talks? Border tensions have escalated between Sudan and Ethiopia in the past few days, coupled with Ethiopian threats to Sudan if it does not respond to peaceful solutions, which has triggered questions about the impact of such developments on the GERD issue. Egypt
Egypt, Greece conduct naval drills amid EastMed tensions Egypt and Greece carried out military exercises in the Northern Fleet in the Mediterranean to counter potential threats on their maritime borders amid tensions with Turkey. Egypt
Israel reopens liaison office in Morocco The mission's reopening comes a month after Israel and Morocco agreed to establish diplomatic and economic ties. United Arab Emirates
How Egypt is supporting Sudan in border conflict As tensions escalate between Sudan and Ethiopia on the border, a Sudanese delegation headed to Cairo raising questions about Egypt’s role in the conflict. Egypt
Is Egypt behind Sudanese escalation on border with Ethiopia? With the intensifying border conflict between Sudan and Ethiopia and the success of the Sudanese army in controlling the border areas where Ethiopian farmers have been living for decades, Ethiopia has been hurling accusations of a third party planning, funding and executing the recent confrontations on the border between the two countries. Egypt
Germany opposes arms embargo against Turkey Greece has called for European leaders to apply stronger pressure on Ankara over its actions in the eastern Mediterranean, but the appeals have largely fallen on deaf ears. Turkey
Egypt backs Sudan against Ethiopia amid Nile dam impasse Egypt reiterated its support for Sudan following an attack by Ethiopian forces on Sudanese military troops near the border, at a time of deadlock between the three countries over the controversial dam Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile. Egypt
Western Sahara media, activists criticize US decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States had accepted Morocco's claim to disputed Western Sahara and that Morocco and Israel were establishing full relations. North Africa
How realistic are Turkey’s ambitions over strategic corridor with Azerbaijan Turkey is pinning high economic hopes on a transport link that would connect it to Azerbaijan and beyond, but Russia and Iran have caveats and the viability of Turkey’s projects are open to question. Turkey
Jordan plans consulate in Western Sahara amid flareup The Jordanian consulate will reportedly be located in Laayoune, the largest city in the disputed region. Morocco
