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
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to work with France’s TotalEnergies on carbon capture The deal came during UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to France, where he strengthened energy relations with the European country. The two countries have grown closer over Libya and energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean. Legacy: Gulf
Israel-EU talks to resume for first time in decade EU foreign ministers agreed today to convene soon a meeting under the EU-Israel Association Council in order to regulate and advance relations between Brussels and Jerusalem. Israel
Turkish extradition requests often disregarded by Western allies Ankara has long viewed foreign courts’ refusal to repatriate suspects as a sign of obstruction by their governments, but the West looks askance at the Turkish judicial system. Turkey
Reports: Libya denies cutting gas exports to Italy Italy wants Libya to boost its gas exports to Europe in an effort to reduce the continent’s energy dependence on Russia. North Africa
Europe’s top court reprimands Turkey for jailing philanthropist Today’s decision by Europe's top rights court on Osman Kavala, who has kept behind bars for four and a half years in pre-detention and sentenced to life, inches Turkey closer to suspension of its voting rights or even membership in the Council of Europe. Turkey
Egypt, Greece, Cyprus boost military cooperation in EastMed region Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have promoted their military relations in the face of security threats and to defend their interests in the Eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas reserves. Egypt
Algeria to maintain gas supplies to Spain despite dispute Algeria's announcement concerning the immediate suspension of the treaty of friendship and good neighborliness concluded with Spain in October 2002, after Madrid’s radical change of position on the Western Sahara issue on March 18, will not have negative consequences on gas contracts signed by the two countries. North Africa
23 migrants dead at Morocco-Spain border Spain’s enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta in North Africa have long been a flashpoint for people seeking to enter the European Union from Africa, resulting in tensions between Morocco, Algeria and Spain. North Africa
Saudi Arabia, Cyprus set up joint business council Cyprus has important relationships with several Middle Eastern states, including Egypt. Legacy: Gulf
Kurds in Sweden on edge as Turkey presses government to ditch them in exchange for NATO membership As Sweden’s government survived a non-confidence vote today, its fate was tied to Kurdish lawmaker and former guerrilla Amineh Kakabaveh. Turkey
Polish president visits Egypt for the first time in decades The Polish president visited Egypt recently in the first such visit since 1992, which comes as the Russian war on Ukraine rages on. Egypt
Analysis Erdogan: Sweden, Finland need to ‘act accordingly’ toward Kurdish groups for approval on NATO bids The Turkish president repeated these points while announcing another military operation into Syria. By Week in Review
