Analysis Pragmatic politics: Why Turkey avoids blaming Russia for Black Sea attacks Beyond economics, Ankara’s approach is also shaped by maintaining its role as an indispensable mediator between the Kremlin and the West. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
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
How Sweden, Finland’s NATO membership could impact Turkey If Ankara can be tactful about Stockholm and Helsinki’s possible membership in NATO, it has a chance to see its concerns addressed. Turkey
Debate in Israel continues over Ukrainian refugees The Tel Aviv District Court ordered yesterday the State to offer Ukrainian refugees working permits, so they can live in dignity. Israel
Egypt looks to Gulf to revive tourism sector affected by Russian-Ukrainian war Egypt is seeking to increase Arab tourism from the Gulf at a time when this vital sector has struggled to overcome the recession it suffered with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Egypt
How long can Erdogan sustain threat to veto Finnish, Swedish NATO bids? Erdogan shakes up otherwise unified Western alliance on Ukraine war. Turkey
What do rising wheat prices, India’s export ban mean for Egypt? Egypt is seeking to import wheat from India due to the Russian war on Ukraine. Egypt
Harris stresses US-Emirati partnership after MBZ meeting The visit by Vice President Kamala Harris and other US officials come as relations between Washington and Abu Dhabi hit a rough patch. United Arab Emirates
Turkey continues to play hard ball over Sweden, Finland NATO membership Turkey’s Islamic-leaning Justice and Development Party government is demanding that both countries end their arms embargoes on Turkey over its military intervention in 2019 against the Kurds in northeast Syria. Turkey
Global energy crisis opens possibilities for Israeli natural gas Experts say that the global energy crisis is exactly the moment when Israel must expand its natural gas export quotas. Israel
Syrians dodge military conscription Syrian military-age men are fleeing conscription, forcing them to defer their future or pay back the government. Syria
Ukraine war drives more traffic to Egypt's Suez Canal, increasing revenues Although Egypt is being adversely affected by the war in Ukraine, the Suez Canal is benefiting greatly from Western countries sailing into the Gulf in search of oil. Egypt
Hamas appeals to Russia for support in confrontation with Israel A Hamas delegation visited Moscow at a time when relations between Russia and Israel are taking a more tense turn due to Israel’s position in the Russia-Ukraine war. Palestine
Russian ambassador to Iraq: ‘No objections’ to Kurdistan Region exporting gas to Europe Elbrus Kutrashev spoke to the Kurdish news outlet Rudaw about plans to export natural gas from the autonomous part of northern Iraq to Europe in response to the war in Ukraine. Iraq
