Merz courts Gulf as Germany seeks energy alternatives to US, China Berlin is seeking to capitalize on ties with Gulf energy giants as relations with the United States have cooled amid strains over transatlantic defense commitments, Washington’s pursuit of Greenland and tariffs. Qatar
France's role in Syria-SDF agreement: What to know French diplomatic sources highlight the role played by Paris in recent months in reaching an agreement between the Sharaa government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Analysis Will EU’s terror listing of besieged Iran's IRGC backfire? The EU designation could ultimately render the IRGC an even more aggressive and defiant organization aboard, and a more assertive rights violator at home. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions As the extent of the killing of protests is gradually revealed, the European Union has decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran
UAE foreign minister visits Cyprus The UAE has grown closer to Cyprus on energy and defense issues. By Al-Monitor Staff
After critical EU report, Turkey’s bid to join bloc remains at a 'standstill' Citing serious democratic backsliding, the European Commission’s latest report on Turkey found few areas of progress in the nation’s long-stalled accession process as Brussels seeks avenues to improve relations. Turkey
Ankara summons 10 ambassadors over call to free Turkish philanthropist Turkey’s Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United States, Germany and France, among others, after they called for the release of Osman Kavala, a Turkish philanthropist jailed over four years without conviction. Turkey
Ankara calls on EU to help Afghanistan’s neighbors Turkey's president told German President Steinmeier that the EU member states should provide swift assistance to Afghanistan’s neighbors to cope with irregular migration. Turkey
Macron visits Erbil and Mosul, vows to stay the course against IS The French president visited the northern Iraqi city where an Islamic State ‘caliphate’ was declared in 2014, pledging to continue supporting Iraq in its fight against terrorism. Iraq
Raisi ready to support ‘any diplomatic plan’ that lifts sanctions on Iran Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister is ready to "send a message" to Iran in response to drone attack on Israeli-managed ship that killed two. Iran
Israel’s Lapid pumps European hands in Brussels Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's enthusiastic connecting in Brussels clearly indicates he intends to reboot Israel’s ties with the European Union. Israel
Erdogan: Turkey will continue oil exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean Turkey's president may be upping the ante against Greece, Cyprus and the European Union. Turkey
UAE orders Italy to withdraw forces from base in arms sale row The Emirates is kicking Italy's forces out of Al Minhad airbase United Arab Emirates
Lapid calls out Poland for bill limiting Holocaust compensation Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid objects to Polish legislation designed to limit restitution rights for Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Israel
EU leaders back funding but warn Erdogan against 'instrumentalizing' Syrian migrants EU leaders propose further funding to Turkey for Syrian refugees, but, at Greece’s insistence, issue a warning that the bloc “condemns any attempt by third countries to instrumentalize migrants for political purposes.” Turkey
Advocates call for greater focus on democratic rights in Turkey ahead of European summit As European leaders prepare to review EU-Turkey relations in a summit this week, advocates urged greater links between future cooperation and improvements in basic rights and the rule of law in Turkey. Turkey
