EU-Mideast ties

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend the inaugural meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) at Prague Castle on Oct. 6, 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic.

Explainer

Why Israel, Armenia don't benefit from hijab spat between Turkey, Azerbaijan

Israel and Armenia have reasons to worry about the escalating dispute between Turkey and Azerbaijan, despite their own tensions with Ankara and Baku.

The British Consulate General in east Jerusalem represents the British government in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza during a protest against the recently announced British sanctions, aimed at economic activity in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, on Sept. 14, 2026, in Jerusalem.

Explainer

Israel-UK relations hit new low over settlements, Gaza: What to know

Despite Britain’s ban on goods from Israeli settlements and Israel’s closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, both countries are seeking to keep communication channels open.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) during a visit on Oct. 7, 2026, in Athens, Greece.

Rubio signals US push to ease Greece-Turkey cable tensions

The top US diplomat said Washington was “very committed” to the subsea cable project as Ankara and Athens remain at odds over survey work in contested waters.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski delivers his speech during day one of the Green Party annual conference at Brighton Centre on Oct. 2, 2026, in Brighton, England.

Israel bars UK Greens leader over Zionism-racism resolution: What to know

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced Sunday that Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski would be barred from entering Israel after his party adopted a policy defining Zionism as a form of racism.

Latest News

Turkey-Greece cable dispute hits impasse as Ankara insists on prior coordination

The Hellenic Navy Roussen or Super Vita class Fast Missile Patrol Boat P 71 HS Ritsos patrols off the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo (Megisti), in the Dodecanese, the furthest south eastern Greek Island, 2 kilometers from the Turkish mainland, on Aug. 28, 2020.

Egypt hosts Greece, Cyprus defense ministers: What to know

Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas, Egyptian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ashraf Salem Zaher, and Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias meet in Cairo, Sept. 22, 2026.

Analysis

After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Oct. 24, 2023.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Explainer

Why France is pushing to keep UNIFIL in Lebanon beyond 2026

UN peacekeepers stand next to an armored vehicle during a patrol in southern Lebanon, Feb. 22, 2026.

IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/AFP via Getty Images

Israel thanks Cyprus for stopping alleged Iranian plan to attack Israelis

Israel is expressing gratitude to Cypriot authorities who reportedly stopped an Iranian attack on Israelis in the country, where Iran was accused of plotting to attack Israelis back in 2021.

Former Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves le Drian arrives at a state dinner upon the visit of United Arab Emirates President at the Grand Trianon estate near the Palace of Versailles, south west of Paris, on July 18, 2022. - French President welcomes the United Arab Emirates President on July 18, 2022, whose state visit "will confirm the strong ties" between France and the rich Gulf oil country, the Elysee Palace announced on July 14, 2022. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDO

France's Le Drian visits Lebanon in bid to break presidential deadlock

French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Beirut comes as parliament failed for the 12th time to elect a president.

France's President Emmanuel Macron greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he arrives at presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, on June 16, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, seeking to nudge the de-facto leader of the oil-rich kingdom into more full-throated support of Ukraine against the Russian invasion. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi-France business ties flourish as Macron woos MBS

Trade between the two countries came to $12 billion in 2022, a growth of 47% compared with 2021.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Shlomi Amsalem/GPO

Israel, Cyprus make strides toward EastMed undersea electricity cable

Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou's visit to Israel is another step in joint efforts to promote the Euro-Asia undersea electricity cable project.

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi.

Interview

Oman FM says US, Iran 'close' on prisoner deal

Oman's foreign minister told Al-Monitor that the two sides are ironing out the details on a deal to release the prisoners.

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Sayyid Badr Albusaidi

Foreign Minister of Oman

NATO Stoltenberg

NATO chief cites 'some progress' in Turkey-Sweden talks in Ankara

Turkey sticks with its hardball strategy on Sweden’s pending NATO membership as a historic NATO summit nears.

Emmanuel Macron Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia's MBS heads to France to meet Macron, attend business summits

The two leaders will meet Friday and discuss bilateral relations as well as Middle Eastern and international issues including the war in Ukraine.

A screen capture of a video showing the boat fire off the coast of Marsa Alam, Egypt, June 11, 2023.

3 British tourists killed in boat fire off Egypt’s Red Sea coast

The fire comes days after a Russian tourist was killed during a shark attack in the Red Sea, a popular destination for European tourists.

Kais Saeid, Ursula von der Leyen

Analysis

European aid, pressure on Tunisia’s IMF deal unlikely to allay migration concerns

European leaders visited the North African country over the weekend, hoping to work with Kais Saied's populist government to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund while reducing migration in the Mediterranean.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi watches combat drones alongside high-ranking officials and commanders during a military parade marking the country's annual army day in Tehran on April 18, 2023. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

UK MPs alarmed by report on British colleges helping Iran develop drones

British lawmakers demand that the government provide answers about whether international sanctions were breached.

A man rows a stand-up paddle flying an Israeli flag near a sailing boat and a yacht in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of Tel Aviv on April 26, 2023, as Israel marks Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut), 75 years since the establishment of the Jewish state. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel advances EastMed undersea electricity cable connecting with Europe

In Paris meetings with international bodies, Energy Minister Israel Katz is promoting Israel's plans for a subsea electricity cable that would connect to other countries in the region and Europe.

Passengers traveling from one of the countries on the "red list" are escorted through the arrivals area of terminal 5 of Heathrow airport and onto a waiting coach, on Feb. 16, 2021 in London, England.

UK introduces $13 online visas for GCC, Jordanian nationals

Gulf nationals previously paid £30 ($37.63) per visit to the UK, while Jordanians paid £100 ($125.42) for a visit visa.