France’s Macron first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Houthi escalation French President Emmanuel Macron met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a surprise stop in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
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. Turkey
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. Israel
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. Turkey
Analysis After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Turkey, Sweden and Finland agree to more talks on NATO accession President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman and foreign affairs adviser Ibrahim Kalin, who took part in Thursday’s talks, described the meeting as “positive.” Turkey
Analysis Lithuania joins Israel's EU efforts to designate Iran's IRGC In what could be the first true shift in the European Union's position, Lithuania’s FM is signaling support to adding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the EU's terror list. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Turnips to the rescue? UK tomato shortages could last weeks as Morocco curbs exports After Morocco restricted certain exports, several large British supermarkets have started rationing produce. North Africa
Iran expels German diplomats as row continues over death sentence Iran has sentenced another dual European citizen, a German-Iranian man, to death in relation to a 2008 attack on a mosque. Iran
Barcelona ends twin city agreement with Tel Aviv, citing Israeli 'apartheid' Barcelona’s Mayor Ada Colau said that thousands of residents in her city signed a petition to sever ties with Tel Aviv so as to pressure Israel on Palestinian human rights. Israel
Turkey's earthquake spikes Europe's fears of Middle East flare-ups The Turkish-Syrian border area at large remains one of the world’s geopolitical quagmires, a major epicenter of tensions and fault lines that run throughout the Middle East toward Europe. By Gilles Kepel
Ankara lashes out at US envoy over security alerts: 'Get your filthy hands off Turkey' Turkey’s rhetoric against Washington and several European capitals grows more belligerent, with the interior minister calling out the American ambassador. Turkey
France's seizure of Iranian weapons to Yemen is a win for Pentagon French forces seized some 3,000 assault rifles, 23 anti-tank rockets and more than half a million rounds of ammunition bound for Yemen's Houthi rebels. Iran
Turkey denounces 'psychological war' as Western consulates close Turkey has summoned ambassadors from nine countries after a number of diplomatic missions temporarily shut their doors amid a growing terror threat level. Turkey
Senator Van Hollen says no F-16s for Turkey if Sweden, Finland not admitted to NATO The Democratic senator also discussed concerns about Israel’s new government, China’s inroads in the Gulf and more at the Al-Monitor PRO event. Turkey
Israel's Netanyahu to meet Macron in Paris amid Iran tension Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Paris on Thursday to meet with the French leader. Israel
After Sweden, tension on Islam between Europe and Middle East hits dangerous crossroad By Gilles Kepel
