Oil fires, toxic air and water risks: Environmental cost of Iran war expands to region The bombing of oil facilities in Iran and critical water infrastructure in the Gulf threatens the Middle East with long-lasting environmental destruction, as have similar tactics employed in previous conflicts. Iran
Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the rial has plummeted. Iran
Turkey, Iraq sign oil-for-water deal: What to know The landmark deal between Ankara and Baghdad sets out a finance mechanism to direct Iraqi oil proceeds into Turkish-built water infrastructure. Turkey
Analysis Water for influence: Turkey moves to ease Iraq's water shortages ahead of elections Turkey took the step in a bid to ensure that relations with Iraq's current and future leaderships remain manageable after the vote. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Jordan’s water security caught between $5B megaproject, frayed Israel ties By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Israel’s energy minister visits UAE, touts trilateral deal with Jordan Senior officials in Israel, the UAE, Jordan and the United States hope to have the final agreements of the Prosperity Project signed at the COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai this upcoming November. Israel
British sustainable fuel startup eyes Middle Eastern market OXCCU looks to lower the cost of sustainable aviation fuel to make it a more attractive option for airlines to buy instead of fossil fuels. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Egypt: Sisi's Africa tour highlights GERD, economic, climate change challenges Sisi visited Angola, Zambia and Mozambique this week, demonstrating the continued importance Egypt places on political, economic and security ties with southern Africa and the continent as a whole. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Iran threatens 'pressure' on Taliban amid deepening water row The warning marked the most serious episode in Iran-Taliban ties since the extremist group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Iran
In water-starved Middle East, large ChatGPT data centers are a threat The UAE announced its record-breaking green data center in February of this year. The Moro Hub, created by the digital arm of DEWA, became the largest solar-powered data center, according to Guinness World Records. Legacy: Gulf
Oman activates first floating desalination plant The mobile desalination plants are meant to service 70 seaport villages and are the first of their kind in the Arab world. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt, Sudan hold joint military drills as Nile dispute with Ethiopia drags on The naval drills come at a time of heightened tensions with Ethiopia as Addis Ababa works toward completing the filling of its controversial Nile dam without reaching an agreement with its downstream neighbors. Egypt
Turkey, Iraq laud cooperation, but major disagreements remain Sudani on his first visit to Ankara, stressed the importance of Iraq’s sovereignty in the two countries' fight against terrorism. Turkey
Egypt presses on with mega water projects despite burden on state coffers As water scarcity threatens Egypt’s food and national security, the state is moving forward with megaprojects to secure alternative water sources. Egypt
State Department's Barbara Leaf arrives in Middle East for 10-day visit Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf will make stops in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq's PM in UAE as Abu Dhabi announces water project in Sinjar Iraq is pivoting towards the Gulf in its foreign policy while also seeking to maintain good ties with Iran. Iraq
Negev Forum convenes in UAE with Jordan absent from Arab-Israeli meeting Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, the United States and Israel have convened in Abu Dhabi for the third Negev Forum steering committee meeting. Israel
