Maersk resumes Red Sea passage after two-year halt amid easing Houthi threat A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October has prompted some shipping companies to consider resuming services, but security concerns persist. Yemen
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal The Israeli prime minister's frustration with Trump administration strong-arming continues, with pressure to sign Egypt gas deal and now a reported push for Sisi meeting. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel's Netanyahu approves $35B natural gas megadeal with Egypt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will sell Egypt natural gas worth $35 billion, in the biggest-ever deal of its kind for the country. Israel
Analysis Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Exclusive Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
Interview Israeli Minister Frej joins Palestinian aid summit in Brussels In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Israel’s Regional Cooperation Minister Esawi Frej said that while a strong Palestinian Authority is "of course a Palestinian interest ... it is also an Israeli and international interest." Esawi Frej Minister for Regional Cooperation of Israel
World Bank praises Palestinian easing of COVID rules, criticizes Israeli control The international financial body recommended several governance reforms for the Palestinian Authority to increase economic growth. Palestine
UAE, Greece sign $4.2 billion agreement The UAE and Greece have become close allies in recent years. United Arab Emirates
International pressure compounds Tunisian economic crisis There are international and local concerns over the political and economic situation in Tunisia, which is hoping for a deal with the IMF in return for implementing reforms that are rejected by the powerful UGTT labor union. Tunisia
Turkish inflation jumps from 20% to 70% in just six months Even if monthly price increases ease to an average of 5% in the coming months, Turkey would face an annual consumer inflation of over 100% in the fall and finish the year with a rate of some 90%. Turkey
Beersheba evolves into Israeli tech powerhouse With financial benefits, investment in infrastructure and a vibrant university, Israel's southern city of Beersheba is swiftly becoming a hub for both international and local high tech companies. Israel
Lebanese hope for change in May 15 parliamentary elections Despite furstration with Lebanon's established political leaders and parties, opposition groups have yet to present a strong, unified alternative. Lebanon
Egypt to list army-owned companies on stock exchange Egypt plans to list army-owned companies on the stock exchange before the end of the year, after repeated delays. Egypt
Israel's Liberman talks wheat, strategy in visit to Azerbaijan Officially, the visit of Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman to Azerbaijan focused on exporting wheat to Israel, but reports suggest that the minister also discussed strategic and energy issues. Israel
Lebanese artists explore NFTs The adoption of NFT art in Lebanon seems to be a milestone for artists. Lebanon
UAE announces date for auction of dirham bonds The Emirati government began selling bonds for the first time last year in a bid to diversify financially. This is the first time bonds will be sold in the local currency, as opposed to the US dollar. United Arab Emirates
