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
Iran rejects French FM's call to curb missile program The French foreign minister seemingly failed to persuade Iranian officials to negotiate over their country’s missile program. Iran
Upcoming summit unlikely to restart Turkey’s EU progress For pragmatic considerations, the European Union could offer a new kind of partnership for Turkey to keep it tethered to Europe without making it a full member. Turkey
Europe starts preparing Mideast peace initiative The one-sided decision by the United States to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem in May opens the way for a European Mideast peace initiative. Palestine
Turkey wants to criminalize adultery Upon instructions from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Justice Ministry is working on new legislation outlawing adultery. Turkey
Europe wants Egypt to drop death penalty The European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Egyptian government's use of the death penalty, but authorities seem unlikely to comply. Egypt
Will EU propose new Mideast initiative? The European Union hopes that minor additions to the Iran nuclear deal might pave the way for greater dialogue with the Trump administration on Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Palestine
Can Europe save the Palestinian Authority? Threats by President Donald Trump to cut assistance to the Palestinians could lead to opening the door to the European Union in the diplomatic as well as economic realm of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Abbas reaches out to Europeans to help rebuild negotiations framework Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on EU member states to recognize the State of Palestine, as the Palestinian Authority and its supporters work to develop a new negotiations formula. Palestine
Europe emerges as new sponsor of Mideast peace The European Union reassured Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about European support for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, but will the United States and Israel allow other parties to be involved in the Middle East peace process? Palestine
Upholding car import customs does not benefit Egypt's local industry With stagnation plaguing Egypt's domestic car market, Cairo has decided to postpone reducing customs on importing European cars until the completion of a strategy to support the local car industry. Egypt
Macron slams door on Erdogan's EU ambitions The Turkish public's strong desire for its country to join the EU could eventually have political implications for its president, who just returned from Europe empty-handed — again. Turkey
Do improved ties with France, Germany signal end to Turkey’s EU bid? Turkish liberals lament the state of Ankara-EU relations, but pro-government analysts believe developing practical ties with key European powers is better than waiting at the EU’s door. Turkey
