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
Belgian children and some women to be repatriated from IS camp in Syria. The Belgian prime minister said the children in the notorious al-Hol camp could become “the terrorists of tomorrow.” Women will be repatriated on a case-by-case basis. Syria
Iran rejects EU invitation to talks with US on nuclear deal Tehran's rejection may be posturing, but the clock is ticking on chances to limit its nuclear capabilities. United States
Dutch far-right politician under investigation for calling Turkish president a terrorist The controversial Geert Wilders has had spats with the Turkish government before amid wider crises between Turkey and the Netherlands. Turkey
Italy top foreign investor in Turkey in 2020 Italy supports Turkey on several issues while other European states, especially France, have notable disagreements with Turkey. Turkey
Iranian diplomat sentenced to prison for bomb plot on Iranian opposition group The Iranian government strongly condemned the trial. The bomb plot targeted the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran. Iran
Iran suggests European Union ‘choreograph’ return to nuclear deal Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif doubled down on his stance that the United States must relieve sanctions first but suggested the EU could coordinate mutual steps. United States
Turkish-Greek talks, all talk? Greece and Turkey will hold explanatory talks for the first time in years following the tensions that peaked last year between the regional rivals, although the two parties have yet to agree on the issues to be discussed. Turkey
New draft law seeks to paralyze Turkish civil society Groups across the ideological spectrum say the law, aimed at keeping Turkey from being blacklisted by the international money laundering watchdog, includes articles that will severely hamper their work. Turkey
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
Germany and Finland repatriate children from Syria's al-Hol camp There have been several repatriations of people from the camp for Islamic State families this year. Syria
EU to sanction Turkey over gas-drilling activities At a summit in Brussels Thursday, European leaders appeared ready to impose sanctions on Turkish individuals and companies linked to energy-prospecting activities in the eastern Mediterranean Sea that have raised regional tensions over the last year. Turkey
Facing EU sanctions threat, Erdogan calls for dialogue once more Ahead of a European Council summit in which EU leaders will discuss sanctions on Ankara this week over energy prospecting activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated calls for dialogue, urging bloc members not be swayed by Greek and Cypriot agendas. Turkey
