Turkey backs Libya in legal challenge to Greece-Chevron offshore deal Ankara is engaging Libyan authorities in challenging the Greece-Chevron deal, a Turkish official said. Turkey
Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Strait of Hormuz: What to know The drills come as the three countries strengthen their ties amid growing US economic and military pressure on Iran. Iran
Greek PM Mitsotakis offers rare nod to Ataturk in Turkey amid maritime row In a rare reference to Ataturk, a divisive figure in Greece, the Greek premier reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue. Turkey
Iran warning near Hormuz collides with Red Sea shipping comeback Armed boats attempted to intercept a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the same day that major container lines also announced the resumption of limited transits through the Suez Canal. Iran
Analysis Why Trump’s Venezuela playbook could face hard reality in Iran By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Turkey casts Israel’s Somaliland move as overreach, but Somalia’s fragility poses risks By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Navy's reversal on 355-ship goal raises doubts on countering Iran The US Navy will re-evaluate plans to grow its force to 355 ships, a move that could upset the Fifth Fleet’s Middle East strategy. Legacy: Gulf
Ankara set to boost naval posture with major exercise Turkey may be planning an ambitious air-naval military drill that would span three seas. Palestine
Is new energy league an alliance against Ankara? A Cairo-based partnership among Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority is ready to explore energy sources in the eastern Mediterranean — whether Turkey likes it or not. Palestine
How insecurity in Iran's southeast could benefit UAE, Pakistan Regional rivalry over maritime trade has intensified speculations in Iran about possible Emirati-Pakistani involvement in the recent terror attack in the southeastern port of Chabahar. Iran
Militarization of Mediterranean rises with exploration disputes Diplomatic attempts to resolve disagreements over energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean haven't worked so far, and the situation is becoming more and more militarized. Turkey
Why Turkey wants a permanent naval base in Northern Cyprus With the heated atmosphere in the eastern Mediterranean because of the Syrian crisis and the rivalry over hydrocarbon reserves, Turkey’s desire to install a permanent naval base in Northern Cyprus is being debated. Turkey
Cairo breathes sigh of relief as Saudi oil exports resume through Bab el-Mandeb Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Falih announced that his country resumed oil exports via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, amid Egyptian fears that a decrease in traffic in the popular shipping corridor could impact Suez Canal revenues. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan stays silent on Qatar amid Cyprus gas row Amid an escalating dispute over gas exploration off Cyprus, observers in Turkey are perplexed about why Ankara is sparing Qatar while harshly reacting to other countries and companies cooperating with the Greek Cypriots. Legacy: Gulf
Tempers flare over gas exploration in Mediterranean A power struggle over hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is becoming increasingly militarized, signaling the potential for a major crisis. Turkey
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
Eastern Mediterranean may be scene of first conflict of 2018 Developments warn of growing tension between Turkey and the Greek Cypriots over newly discovered hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
