Newsletter: China-Middle East China adjusts to Middle East turbulence in 2025, faces challenges in Iran, Yemen While evading new US sanctions on Iran, adjusting to changes in Syria and expanding military footprint with key Arab partners especially Egypt, China closes 2025 with gains in the Middle East but confronts new challenges with UAE-Saudi rupture in Yemen and Sudan. By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Analysis From Sputnik to satellites: How China is pulling Egypt and Gulf into its space orbit Beijing is emerging as a key partner for Middle Eastern and North African states seeking to develop satellites, navigation services and space industries of their own. By Dale Aluf In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East
Analysis Egypt’s $35B Israel gas deal buys time, tests fragile energy partnership The agreement is a critical stopgap as Cairo grapples with domestic power demands, but the last two years have tested Egypt-Israel energy cooperation in unprecedented ways. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Sudan moves ahead with Israel ties Tel Aviv continues to exchange visits with the contested authorities in Khartoum and deepen their security cooperation, in line with the coup generals’ allies in the Gulf and Egypt. Egypt
Egypt’s Copts set to resume trips to Jerusalem after two-year hiatus In light of an Egyptian-Israeli rapprochement, Coptic flights to Jerusalem returned after a two-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
Egypt seeks mediation in Sudan Egypt kicked off a series of dialogues with political forces in Sudan to help overcome the Sudanese crisis that erupted due to the military coup that toppled the civilian-led government in October. Egypt
Ethiopia warns it won't wait forever over Nile dam dispute The Ethiopian foreign minister once again criticized Egypt’s and Sudan's attempt to prevent operation of the Nile megadam, sparking an angry reaction from Cairo. Egypt
Egypt backs Libyan PM-designate to form new government Egypt pins hope on Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bashagha to secure the exit of all foreign forces from Libya and prepare for holding elections in the war-torn country. Egypt
AU summit in Addis Ababa ignores Nile dam crisis The 35th African Union Summit was held in Addis Ababa to discuss peace and security issues in Africa, but the Grand Ethiopian Renassiance Dam was not on the agenda. Egypt
Ethiopia’s accusations against Egypt, Sudan dispel hopes for Renaissance Dam crisis Egypt considers recent statements made by Ethiopian officials a setback for Nile Dam talks. Egypt
Egypt breaks LNG export records with eye on Europe The country recorded 10-year high sales in 2021 following a jump in global prices and resumption of production in its second liquefied gas facility, a flow local authorities hope to maintain as they try to become a regional hub and major player in the market. Egypt
Standard Chartered eyes churning out profits from Egypt Egyptian authorities are betting on Standard Charter's expertise to boost online banking and stoke competitiveness. Egypt
Historic decision to appoint Christian judge as head of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court In a move described as “historic,” the Egyptian president issued a decision appointing a Christian judge as head of the Supreme Constitutional Court for the first time in history. Egypt
Egypt empowers disabled with entrepreneurship incubator Egypt will establish a new incubator to help entrepreneurs with disabilities turn their projects into viable businesses, as the Arab country aspires to turn this segment of society into a driving force of economic growth. Egypt
Egypt lays groundwork to host COP27 Cairo is already busy solidifying international support for this year's UN climate conference to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt
