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
2023 in review: Israel-Hamas war puts human rights in focus as pattern of double standards persists A growing number of countries — many of them repressive in their own right — demand to know why Israel’s abuses are permissible. Israel
Turkey’s parliament to resume debate on Sweden’s NATO bid Shortly after the parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee set a date for its new meeting, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that Turkey and the United States held high-level talks on defense cooperation. Turkey
UAE rolls out red carpet for Russia’s Putin as West ups sanctions President Putin's trip to the UAE and Saudi Arabia coincided with a new series of sanctions announced by the UK against individuals and entities accused of funding the war machine in Ukraine. Legacy: Gulf
What’s on Putin’s agenda on rare trip to Saudi Arabia, UAE? The Russian president's trip comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where the Hamas-Israel war has threatened to spill into a wider regional conflict. Legacy: Gulf
Why Iran's military aircraft deal with Russia is significant leap for both Tehran receives the equipment as it continues to boost a military alliance with Moscow that has come under the international spotlight and scrutiny since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Iran
Turkey, UK sign defense deal as Ankara presses for Eurofighter jets The move comes as Ankara ramps up its push to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets amid the absence of any progress on the Turkish bid to buy 40 new F-16 jets from the United States. Turkey
Business & Tech Briefing: Dubai gears up for COP28 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis How Russia's Redut PMC forced rival Wagner to withdraw from Syria Almost all of Wagner's mercenaries have already left Syria on planes departing from the Khmeimim air base, and the remaining few dozen are handing over weapons to the military and processing documents. By Anton Mardasov
EU says UAE will restrict certain re-exports to Russia amid Ukraine war The United Arab Emirates has agreed to restrict the re-exportation to Russia of "dual-use" items used for its war in Ukraine, and Turkey is reportedly considering a similar measure. United Arab Emirates
UK sanctions UAE network accused of helping Russia make gold profits The new sanctions announced by the UK Foreign Ministry target 29 individuals and companies operating in and supporting Russia’s gold, oil and strategic sectors. United Arab Emirates
US sanctions UAE, Turkey, China firms for allegedly aiding Russia in Ukraine The move targets the development of Russia’s defense and technology sectors and aims to weaken it in its war against Ukraine. United Arab Emirates
Explainer: Why Turkey's Erdogan finally initiated Sweden’s NATO ratification Turkish officials caution that ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO is not a done deal and that the process remains littered with challenges. Turkey
