China builds reach by backing Middle East water projects

In its latest financial deal, China has agreed to provide a new credit facility to expand Saudi Arabia's water generation and power portfolio.

Legacy: Gulf

Turkey gloats at Menendez indictment but will it get F-16 jets?

Sen. Bob Menendez, a strong critic of Turkey who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been charged for allegedly receiving bribes via a scheme involving Egypt.

Turkey

Iran parades lines of drones, calls for US Gulf pullout 

Iran showed off at least 16 drone types, one of which it said was the world's longest range, as President Ebrahim Raisi urged regional cooperation against the American military presence in the Persian Gulf. 

Iran

European Commission to send Tunisia $135M in aid to stem illegal migrants

The European Union and Tunisia had in July announced a ‘strategic partnership’ to boost Tunisia's economy and combat the spike in small boats leaving the North African nation for Europe.

Tunisia

At UN, Netanyahu says Palestinians should have 'no veto' over Saudi deal

Offering a grand vision of normalization with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also advocated that the Palestinians not be allowed a veto on advancements toward peace.

Israel

More than 200 Palestinians killed in 2023 as Israel detains Lion's Den leader

The spike in Israeli raids and settler attacks this year in the West Bank has killed more than 200 Palestinians and displaced more than 1,000 herders from their land.

Palestine

Syria’s Assad and Kuwaiti crown prince in China signing cooperation deals

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad participated in a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the eastern city of Hangzhou, reported SANA, Syria’s official news outlet.

Syria

US Senator Menendez indicted on corruption charges involving Egypt

Sen. Bob Menendez, a key power broker in Washington's Middle East foreign policy, is accused of providing sensitive US government information to aid the Egyptian government.

Washington Connection

Al-Monitor/Semafor summit: Iraq’s Sudani says 'solution is in Baghdad’ to issues with KRG

The prime minister also pleaded for more US investment in Iraq’s energy sector amid the oil dispute with Turkey, and addressed Iraq’s balancing act between the United States and Iran.

Iraq

Analysis

Can Netanyahu deliver US, Saudi demands for normalization with Israel?

Although advancing talks with the Saudis on normalized relations with Israel, the Biden administration doubts whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can persuade his hard-line coalition to agree to significant steps vis-a-vis the Palestinians.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Inside Qatar’s key role in US-Iran prisoner swap

Majed Al-Ansari, an adviser to the Qatari prime minister, details the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that led to the prisoner deal, and why Doha believes there now exists a “platform for dialogue” between Iran and the United States.

Qatar

US approves $500 million sale of spare parts to Saudi military

The announcement comes a day after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that Saudi normalization with Israel is getting closer.

Legacy: Gulf