Iran's Ghalibaf holds talks in Oman on Strait of Hormuz: What to know The US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed last week calls for Iran and Oman to hold talks on the future administration of the strait. Iran
Newsletter: FutureVerse Aramco venture arm bets Saudi startup future on deep tech Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase of venture-backed growth targeting fields such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, blockchain, quantum computing, robotics and renewable energy. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says nuclear negotiations have not started yet Iran disputes US optimism over nuclear talks as Washington eases oil sanctions and regional tensions remain fragile. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Explainer Qatar blast underscores challenges in race to restart Gulf energy flows The deadly explosion marks an early test of Gulf efforts to revive oil and gas production following a historic energy supply shock caused by the US-Israel-Iran war. Qatar
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Vance says Switzerland talks laid 'good foundation' for final deal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iran resumes monetary aid to Hamas Dramatic regional events have sparked a warming of Hamas-Iran ties, but Hamas' relations with Hezbollah remain cool. Palestine
Iranians ignore government limits on holiday celebration Iranians celebrate the ancient Iranian holiday Chaharshanbeh-Souri on the last Tuesday of the year, despite the official discouragement of celebrating a pre-Islamic holiday. Iran
The war on Twitter, the blowback from Ukraine Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan follows through on his threat to shut down Twitter, as Saudi Arabia and Qatar also crack down on social media; US-Russia collaboration on Syria and Iran is so far holding on, despite tensions over Ukraine. Legacy: Gulf
Israel's defense minister speaks his mind about US Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon's urge to vent his frustration in public is harming US-Israel ties. Palestine
US-Russia confrontation could drift to Mideast The question is whether Iran, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia, in particular, will change their policies in the context of the US-Russia standoff. Saudi Arabia
Will Erdogan apologize to Turkey's Shiites? Turkey’s high political tensions finally engulfed the Turkish Shiites (Jaafaris) who are furious with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for calling Shiites “liars, slanderers and hate mongers.” Turkey
Israel addresses terrorist threat from Africa Israel cannot actively fight extreme Muslim terror groups in Africa, but it can join the global development policy designed to combat poverty and the spread of these groups in the long term. Israel
Al-Monitor Congress Pulse expands Syria, Russia-Ukraine-Mideast coverage Congress Pulse and "Trendlines" delve into the implications of Ukraine for US policy in the Middle East. Syria
Ukraine crisis could strengthen Russia-Iran-China ties Iran will officially remain neutral on Ukraine, but the outcome of the crisis could mean a strengthening of ties with Russia, as both countries share many strategic interests. Russia
Iran weighs 'active neutrality' in Ukraine Iran’s strategic priorities remain a comprehensive nuclear agreement and a political solution in Syria. Syria
Erdogan's silence shows absence of moral compass Why has Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan not yet expressed contrition or condolence for the death of Berkin Elvan? Turkey
Netanyahu gets bounce from Iranian arms shipment Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's media campaign over the capture of the weapons shipment passed unnoticed by the foreign press, but reinforced his status in Israeli public opinion as "Mr. Security." Israel
