Ukraine's Zelenskyy capitalizes on Iran war to ink security deal with Saudi Arabia Kyiv is using its domestic production of anti-drone technology and low-cost, AI-enabled interceptor drones to help Gulf states in countering Iranian drones. Saudi Arabia
Ukraine sends teams to help Gulf counter Iranian drones: What to know Ukraine has significant experience downing Iran’s Shahed drones, leading Gulf states to express interest in Ukrainian expertise and hardware. Iran
How US-India trade deal could impact Mideast energy, trade routes The United States and India struck a trade agreement on Monday that eases months of tension between the two countries and could influence Gulf oil flows and economic integration. Saudi Arabia
UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Russia
Analysis Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Blinken to Russia: Stop using food as 'weapon of war' in Ukraine, Syria Wheat prices in the Middle East have risen since Russia's abandonment of the grain deal last month. Syria
Turkey's Erdogan makes no headway in getting Russia back to Ukraine grain deal Turkey’s Erdogan says he will continue diplomacy to bring Putin back to the grain deal and announces Putin will come to Turkey, but gives no timeframe. Turkey
Iran, Belarus sign defense MOU as they explore cooperation on drones Belarus may start playing a bigger role in Russia’s use of Iranian drones in the war on Ukraine. Iran
Analysis UAE rice ban after major exporter India spikes global supply fears The UAE was the world's 16th-largest importer of rice in 2021 and the majority of it came from India. By Salim A. Essaid
Turkey struggles to maintain Russia-Ukraine balance as grain crisis persists Erdogan can ill afford to confront Russia by backing alternative means to sustain Ukrainian grain exports without Moscow’s involvement. Turkey
Russia seeks to boost ties with Egypt, Algeria at Africa summit Russia’s second Africa summit did not yield any major deals with North African countries as leaders called upon Russia to resume the Black Sea grain deal. North Africa
Saudi oil exports hit new low, dropping by more than one-third In May of this year, Saudi Arabia’s value of oil exports hit a low of just over $19 billion, reported the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics. This includes both crude and refined products. Saudi Arabia
Russian migration to Turkey spikes by 218% in aftermath of Ukraine war Nationals of Iran and Iraq, meanwhile, constitute the largest group of foreigners who left Turkey in 2022. Turkey
Iran shrugs off fresh US reinforcements in Persian Gulf, boasts drone power The latest episode of potential US-Iran tensions in the Persian Gulf ensued Iranian encounters with commercial vessels in the strategic oil passage, the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Turkey's Fidan says no solution without Russia to grain deal impasse The top Turkish diplomat Hakan Fidan dismissed Kyiv's alternative solution offer to ship Ukrainian grain without an agreement with Moscow. Turkey
Russia pulls inspectors from Turkey after Kremlin nixes grain deal The joint operation center in Istanbul, which was set up as part of the Black Sea grain deal, has been the sole mechanism through which Ukrainian and Russian officials were directly working together on a regular basis since the invasion of Ukraine. Turkey
UK sanctions 13 Wagner-linked firms and officials in Sudan, CAR, Mali The mercenary group has been operating across Africa for many years, exploiting the continent's natural resources and providing military support for its own financial gain. The Horn of Africa
