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
Saudi Arabia leads Middle East's luxury property buyers in London The Middle East made up some of the top buyers of London luxury real estate in late 2022, only falling behind European and UK buyers. By Salim A. Essaid
Is 'Jihadi terror' in Europe coming back with a vengeance? Despite initial fears, terror attacks have been limited in scope since the beginning of the decade, when compared to IS days. By Gilles Kepel
Even after the 'visa war,' the bad and the ugly lingers between EU, Global South Continuing immigration pressures complicate relations for both aging Europe and the nations to the south and east with booming populations. North Africa
Turkey calls for more action, not words, from Sweden Turkey's foreign minister has told his Swedish counterpart that while Ankara welcomes the steps Sweden has taken to get Turkey’s nod for NATO membership, they are not even “halfway” toward fulfilling Stockholm's commitments. Turkey
Iraqi PM stresses need for regional reconciliation at summit in Jordan Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attended the second round of the Baghdad conference today in Jordan and expressed Iraq's willingness to push forward on regional cooperation and partnership. Iraq
Sweden’s top court blocks extradition of journalist sought by Turkey Though Ankara has an ever-growing list of extradition demands for Sweden, journalist Bulent Kenes was the only one explicitly named as a condition for Turkey’s ratification of the NATO’s Nordic expansion. Turkey
Iran sanctions French carmakers Peugeot, Renault and Citroen all do considerable business in Iran. The move follows new European Union sanctions against Iran in relation to the anti-government protests in the country. Iran
Iran warns Germany over crackdown criticism The Islamic Republic was unsettled by international criticism over its suppression of nearly two months of protests, with its security forces now attacking people dancing in defiance of theocratic rules. Iran
Iran intel chief says UK must 'compensate' for protests The chief of Iran's Intelligence Ministry said the UK must compensate Iran for creating unrest in the country. Iran
Erdogan unswayed by Swedish PM's charm offensive The Swedish prime minister met the Turkish president in Ankara amid the ongoing NATO dispute over Sweden and Finland's accession to the alliance. Turkey
Israel to work with France against money laundering, terror financing The memorandum of understanding signed last week between Israel and France is just part of the very extensive battle championed by Israel’s Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority against criminal money laundering and financing of terror activities. Israel
Culture Egyptian archaeologists call for British Museum to return Rosetta stone Egyptian archaeologists have launched campaigns to reclaim the Rosetta stone from the British Museum 200 years after it was deciphered. Egypt
