Archives for July, 2026

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech after a signing ceremony with Libyan Government of National Unity prime minister at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on April 12, 2021.

Analysis

In Libya, maritime dispute could complicate Turkey’s backing of US unity push

Turkey and the US increasingly share an interest in stabilizing Libya through a Tripoli-Benghazi power-sharing deal, though their alignment may hinge on the durability of any such deal and Washington's stance on Ankara's disputed 2019 maritime agreement.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

An employee of the Ukrainian SkyFall company checks a P1-Sun interceptor drone before a test flight at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on March 19, 2026,

Analysis

Why Kuwait is turning to Ukraine for its next air-defense lessons

The activation of a long-pending defense agreement reflects Kuwait's search for new operational expertise after months of Iranian missile and drone attacks while highlighting Ukraine's growing role in Gulf security.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A screenshot of one of Deniz Goktas' standup routines posted to YouTube.

Culture

Turkish standup comic detained after act calling Erdogan 'dictator' goes viral

Comedian Deniz Goktas’ arrest comes as Ankara intensifies prosecutions against opposition figures, journalists, artists and critics ahead of a major NATO summit.

FILE PHOTO: Canada’s Ambassador-designate to France Isabelle Hudon takes part in a meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Trudeau's office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Wattie/File Photo

Exclusive-Canada aims to announce 10 countries backing global defence bank at NATO summit

Reuters

Crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and vessels sit anchored around Qaboos Port on June 22, 2026, in Muscat, Oman.

Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress."

Damascus cafe blast kills 5, wounds 16, Syrian state news agency says

Reuters

Where do US, Iran talks stand after Doha negotiations: What we know

Agence France-Presse

Syrian security forces and bystanders gather at the site of an explosion at a cafe in Damascus on Thursday

Bomb blast at Damascus cafe kills nine, authorities say

Agence France-Presse

Nathan Howard / AFP via Getty Images

As Trump touts nuclear progress, US-Iran talks show little momentum

With a final nuclear agreement far from reach, the US-Iran conflict risks settling into a new status quo.

An activist takes part in a demonstration against sexual harassment, rape and domestic violence in the Lebanese capital Beirut on December 7, 2019. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Lebanon arrests man after video of public assault on wife goes viral

The man seen violently beating a woman at a restaurant has been arrested, but the incident has reignited debate over domestic violence amid warnings that such abuse can increase during periods of war.

Nawaf Salam and Asaad al-Shibani shake hands in Beirut on July 2, 2026.

Syria, Lebanon stress noninterference as Damascus mulls Hezbollah talks

When asked whether Damascus would be willing to meet with Hezbollah in the future, Syria’s foreign minister indicated that it would not rule out such a meeting.

Syrian security forces and people gather at the site of an explosion at a cafe in the capital, Damascus, on July 2, 2026.

At least 6 killed, 22 wounded in Damascus cafe explosion: What to know

Syrian authorities have yet to identify a perpetrator in relation to the incident, and armed groups opposing the transitional government did not immediately take credit.

Iran prepares to bury slain supreme leader with week of mass mourning

Reuters

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

India's Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita arrives for the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with India at the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 10 July 2025. FAZRY ISMAIL/Pool via REUTERS

India to send minister, governor to Ali Khamenei funeral

Reuters

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as they make statements during their meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, July 2, 2026. Hayk Baghdasaryan/Photolure via REUTERS

EU tells Armenia 'you can count on us' as Russia keeps up economic pressure

Reuters