Turkey to begin surveys for planned northern Cyprus gas pipeline The planned 63-mile link is intended to supply gas for electricity generation but has drawn condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus amid rising rivalries in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Oil tops $90 as Iran warns Hormuz 'will not be safe' Tensions escalated further after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed on Monday that not a "single drop" of oil or gas would pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping. Iran
Explainer French energy, shipping giants explore Syria deals during Macron visit The two countries signed preliminary pacts spanning transport, healthcare, banking, infrastructure and development on Tuesday, even as twin explosions in the capital underscored the fragile investment environment. Syria
Analysis Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Turkish firm brings light back to struggling Syrian city Turkey plans to help restore utilities and other services to Syrian towns, starting with a new power plant for the city of Azaz, which has been running on generators. Syria
Lebanon plans to overhaul its public transportation sector The World Bank has approved a $295 million financing package to reform public transportation in Beirut. Lebanon
Could container homes alleviate Israeli housing crisis? Israeli architects and students explore the concept of using shipping containers as homes and shopping spaces. Israel
Istanbul’s new airport: a looming black hole Istanbul’s giant new airport, scheduled to partially open in October ahead of key elections next year, has become a headache that threatens to carve a black hole in Turkey’s public finances. Turkey
Price hikes alone won't fix Egypt's ailing rail system A deadly train wreck this week spurred calls for improvements to Egypt's poorly maintained railway system and renewed discussion about a delayed increase in ticket prices. Egypt
Umm al-Fahm: Where the streets have no name Israeli authorities are refusing to approve street names selected by the city of Umm al-Fahm to acknowledge and honor Palestinian figures and history. Palestine
Cairo removes Ottoman name amid Egypt-Turkey strife As tensions escalate between Egypt and Turkey, Cairo governorate has decided to rename Selim I street, named for the "grim" Ottoman sultan who conquered Egypt. Egypt
Securing Sinai airport comes at cost to locals President Sisi’s announcement to build a large safe zone around the El-Arish Airport in order for it to resume operations raised the ire of Sinai residents whose houses and lands would be destroyed in the process. Egypt
More skyscrapers pop up along Israeli skyline Israeli urban designers differ on whether condominium towers are the solution for land shortage or they create new problems, such as disconnect with street life. Israel
Local official's insult to Upper Egypt spurs development plans A comment by Local Development Minister Abu Bakr al-Gendy concerning citizens of the Upper Egypt governorates has shone a light on the area's extreme poverty and highlighted the need to pursue economic development. Egypt
Questions persist as Canal Istanbul construction begins We have to hope Ankara has developed contingency plans for the potential political, economic, environmental and especially geostrategic consequences of the Canal Istanbul project. Turkey
Israel seeks to revive long abandoned railway to Gulf Israel is currently discussing a project to reopen the old Hejaz railway to connect it with Saudi Arabia, though many Egyptians are concerned about its impact on trade through the Suez Canal. Egypt
