EU-Mideast ties

An aerial view shows a bridge, destroyed in an Israeli airstrike, in the town of in Qusayr in Syria's central Homs province on December 14, 2024. Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP) (Photo by AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images)

French company revives Syria agreement to rebuild bridges: What we know

The agreement covers 37 bridges in Syria, where infrastructure was severely damaged during the civil war, but may now be rebuilt following the lifting of Western sanctions.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (C) gives a statement during his visit to the mausoleum of slain Lebanese Hezbollah's Leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in September 2024, in Beirut's southern suburbs on June 3, 2025.

EU FMs hold talks with Iran's Araghchi as US mulls strike: What to know

The meeting in Geneva follows President Donald Trump saying on Thursday that he will decide within two weeks whether to involve the United States directly in the Israel-Iran conflict.

Smoke rises from the rubble of an Iranian state media building in Tehran after an Israeli airstrike on June 16, 2025.

China, India, EU countries evacuate citizens from Iran and Israel

Some countries are urging citizens to leave Israel and Iran via land borders as the airports remain closed.

ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images

France blocks Israeli weapons display at Paris airshow: What to know

After their exclusion from the Eurosatory and Euronaval fairs, Israeli armament companies have now been prevented from participating in the Bourget defense show in Paris.

Latest News

EU commission removes UAE, adds Lebanon and Algeria to money laundering list: What to know

A woman looks on from Creek Harbout at the Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa, the world's largest building (C) on Feb. 5, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Amid Gulf pressure, Abbas tells Macron 'Hamas will no longer rule Gaza'

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) speaks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they make their way to a meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on July 20, 2022.

Iran, Egypt, IAEA hold nuclear talks as Tehran mulls US proposal: What to know

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (C) meets with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi (L) and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Cairo on June 2, 2025.

Analysis

As Israel faces 'avalanche' of global criticism, Netanyahu fixated on Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a press conference in Jerusalem, May 21, 2025.

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

Greece's prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during the 1st High Cooperation Council between Greece and Egypt at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Dimitris Kapantais / SOOC / SOOC via AFP) (Photo by DIMITRIS KAPANTAIS/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Egypt walks tightrope between Turkey thaw and warmer Cyprus, Greece ties

Analysts believe Egypt's rapprochement with Turkey will not affect its long-standing relations with Cyprus and Greece given the mutual benefits they share.

Sara Sherif

MARTIN BERTRAND/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

EU could partially suspend Israel's association agreement within weeks: Sources

European diplomats told Al-Monitor that in view of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the European Commission is expected to present options to member states for pressuring Israel on the issue.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A woman walks past an anti-US mural near the former US Embassy in Tehran, on May 11, 2025.

Analysis

As US-Iran nuclear talks hit deadlock, can Gulf consortium offer solution?

The two sides remain at odds over the central issue of uranium enrichment, blocking progress at the highest level.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A man walks by the synagogue of Rouen, in northwestern France, on Jan. 7, 2025, following the discovery of an antisemitic graffiti.

Rise in antisemitism in US, Europe preceded Washington shooting: What to know

In the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia, the number and severity of antisemitic incidents continue to rise.

MOHAMMAD MANSOUR/AFP via Getty Images

'Unacceptable': EU slams Israel over 'warning shots' fired at diplomats in West Bank

The Israeli military expressed “regret for the inconvenience” after firing near a delegation in Jenin, but the incident could further strain ties between Israel and Europe.

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

'We were wrong': Israel misreads Trump 2.0 as storm brews with Europe

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing pressure to end his current Gaza campaign, not only by the international community but by the Trump administration as well.

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

A Palestinian girl sits amid a makeshift displacement camp set up amid building rubble in Gaza City on May 12, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 12 that the release of a US-Israeli hostage announced by Hamas would not lead to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip or the release of Palestinian detainees. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) (Photo by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

Netanyahu slams France, UK, Canada for asking Israel to 'stop' Gaza war

A sharp exchange between Israel and its Western partners over Gaza policy unfolded Monday, with Netanyahu slamming calls to halt military action just as a new Israeli offensive reportedly killed more than 100 Palestinians in less than two days.

DIMITRIS KAPANTAIS/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images

On fifth Greece visit, Egypt’s Sisi and Mitsotakis advance energy projects: What to know

The new partnership agreement appears to further cement the two nations' growing ties even as migration challenges persist.

Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images

Israel warns citizens traveling to Switzerland of Eurovision protests

With the Eurovision contest set for next week, Israelis have been warned to be discreet in the streets of Basel, Switzerland.

New German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrives at Orly Airport while accompanying new Chancellor Friedrich Merz to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on May 7, 2025, in Orly, France.

Israel supporter and Merz confidant: Meet Germany's new FM, Johann Wadephul

Wadephul, who will be a central figure in the new Merz-led government, has pledged to advance Germany’s policy of support for Israel while prioritizing political solutions in the Middle East.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Tom Nicholson/Getty Images

Macron after meeting Sharaa: Lifting Syria sanctions 'in everyone's interest'

French President Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in hopes of gaining regional influence.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) leaves a bilateral room after his meeting with Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, in Antalya, on April 11, 2025. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria’s Sharaa heads to France on first EU trip as Macron eyes influence

The visit follows Syria’s new government striking a deal with a major French company for the operation of the Latakia port, as well as bouts of sectarian violence in the country.