Why Turkey has few options to protect Black Sea shipping The Russia-Ukraine drone war is hitting Turkish commercial interests, exposing the limits of Ankara’s ability to protect shipping while remaining outside the conflict. Turkey
Analysis Why Ukraine's strike on Iranian ship marks dangerous new phase in ties Tehran has warned Kyiv of consequences, as pent-up tensions couple with what Iran believes is Ukrainian alignment with the US and Israel in the recent war. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port. Israel
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
Culture Russian citizen killed in Egypt shark attack in Red Sea A few foreign tourists have been killed over recent years in shark attacks in the Red Sea, where Russian tourism is important to Egypt’s economy. Egypt
UK MPs alarmed by report on British colleges helping Iran develop drones British lawmakers demand that the government provide answers about whether international sanctions were breached. Iran
Turkey’s FM Hakan Fidan in call with Sweden as NATO bid progresses Ankara presses for additional steps from Stockholm ahead of next week’s NATO talks between Turkish and Swedish officials for the Nordic state’s accession to the alliance. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan calls Putin, Zelenskyy, offers mediation in Ukraine dam crisis In his first international phone contacts after inauguration, Erdogan sought to expand his country’s mediation role between Moscow and Kyiv. Turkey
Iran unveils first hypersonic missile 'Fattah,' says no system can intercept it Boastfully adding to its already massive stockpile of long-range projectiles, Tehran appeared headed for a fresh collision course with Israel and its Western adversaries, which remain unnerved by Iran's missile program. Iran
NATO turns on charm offensive with Turkey to settle Sweden's membership bid NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Sweden’s former premier Carl Bildt are scheduled to travel to Ankara to attend Erdogan's inauguration and convince the Turkish government to greenlight the Swedish membership. Turkey
Qatar forum warns of economic downturn, shift in cryptocurrency One Qatar Economic Forum participant says it will take at least a generation to reach a point where the world can depend on clean power. Qatar
Russian interior minister visits Saudi Arabia in Zelenskyy's wake The Ukrainian president criticized the Russian invasion during his surprise trip to Saudi Arabia to attend the Arab League summit. Saudi Arabia
Ukraine’s Zelensky in Saudi Arabia for Arab League summit Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who's also attending, is expected to discuss the drug trade and Syrian refugees at his first summit since Syria was readmitted to the Arab League. Saudi Arabia
Turkey lashes out at US over warship anchored in Cyprus The island remains ethnically divided between Turkish- and Greek-Cypriots since Turkey’s military intervention in 1974 in response to a Greek military coup. Turkey
Erdogan thanks 'dear friend' Putin as Turkey extends Russia-Ukraine grain deal The extension came as Erdogan prepares to face his rival in the presidential runoff election on May 28. Turkey
Iran hosts Russian navy chief, seeks to boost China triangle Russian and Iranian commanders discussed forming joint committees tasked with deepening cooperation as sanctions-hit Tehran continues to lean on Moscow. Iran
