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
Pro-Russia rallies continue throughout Syria Syria has been one of the most vocally supportive countries of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Syria
Will Ukraine crisis help Turkey dodge Western arms embargoes? Drawing on the role of Turkish drones in bolstering Ukraine’s defense, Erdogan has urged NATO partners to lift restrictions on military sales to Turkey. But US sanctions remain a tough row to hoe. Turkey
OPEC remains committed to oil production agreement with Russia The Biden administration has been unable to get Gulf states to increase oil production to bring down prices and some European states are seeking alternatives to Russian natural gas. Legacy: Gulf
War in Ukraine pushes Egypt to ramp up wheat production The Egyptian government is working to increase local wheat production to reach self-sufficiency, after the Russian war on Ukraine added many challenges to secure the country's needs for food security. Egypt
Israel’s Bennett continues mediation efforts between Russia, Ukraine Prime Minister Naftali Bennett continues to be engaged and involved in contacts between Russia and Ukraine and in efforts to end the war. Israel
Turkish taxpayers outraged at cost of lira protection scheme Turkey’s Treasury faces a hefty bill from a controversial plan to defend the Turkish lira, even as the scheme has failed to make a major impact in reducing dollarization. Turkey
Erdogan gets no meeting with Biden at NATO Ukraine summit Despite reportedly intense diplomatic efforts, Turkey's president did not get to meet his US counterpart at today’s NATO summit in Brussels. Turkey
Europe unhappy with Israel's reluctance to sanction Russia While European capitals would like to see Israel join the sanctions packages enacted by the West against Russia, they have expressed understanding of Israel’s delicate position. Israel
Terror attack in Beersheba unsettles Israeli government The stabbing attacks that killed four in the south of Israel is forcing the government to shift focus away from Ukraine and back to the domestic front. Israel
Egypt seeks to contain price hikes caused by Ukraine crisis Egypt is dealing with soaring prices of bread and food products. Egypt
Will Turkey become haven for sanctioned Russians? Ankara is facing increasing pressure to comply with sanctions imposed on Moscow and to increase scrutiny on Turkish banks to make sure they don’t violate sanctions. Turkey
Israel’s energy minister talks Ukraine, global energy crisis in Paris Leading efforts for Israel to join the International Energy Agency, Energy Minister Karin Elharar is in Paris discussing ways to confront the challenges of the current global crisis. Israel
