EU-Mideast ties

Analysis

Can France restore Morocco ties without shifting on Western Sahara?

On a visit to Rabat, French Foreign minister Stephane Sejourne acknowledged for the first time the importance of the Western Sahara issue for Moroccan diplomacy, but did not commit to any movement by Paris on the issue.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

In Antalya, Turkey courts Russia on Black Sea deal, the West on defense

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is in Turkey, where he is set to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as Ankara continues to deepen ties with the United States and European Union while also maintaining solid relations with Moscow.

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Qatari emir in France to discuss Gaza war, economic deals — and talk Mbappe

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has a wide-ranging agenda on his first state visit to Paris.

Qatar

Interview

Yemen’s Houthis undeterred by strikes, senior US Navy commander says

In an exclusive interview, the US Navy’s top commander in the Middle East leveled with Al-Monitor about what the current campaign against the Houthis has achieved, saying diplomatic pressure could ultimately get the Iran-backed rebels to halt their brazen attacks on international commercial shipping.

George Wikoff

Commander of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet

Morocco-Spain thaw continues with investment pledge, aerospace deal

Spain and Morocco have historically been at odds over Western Sahara, migration and territorial disputes.

Morocco

Analysis

Despite internal discord, EU to launch Red Sea naval mission within 3 weeks

Internal disagreements within the European Union are why Brussels announced only this week that it will set up a naval military mission in the Red Sea to protect the maritime route.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

EU split on UNRWA funding: Germany, Italy suspend while others call for audit

Several Western countries have decided to follow the Americans and suspend their donations to UNRWA, at least until an investigation is carried out into allegations that some of their staff participated in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

UAE-backed fund's planned Telegraph takeover raises press freedom fears

Members of parliament and former state security figures have raised concerns about what it would mean for an entity with close ties to a foreign government to own one of the United Kingdom’s most influential newspapers.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Breaking | Last Updated: January 11, 2024, 4:42 pm

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna out as France changes cabinet

With French President Emmanuel Macron still in charge of his country's foreign policies, Colonna's exit is unlikely to affect Paris' Middle East positions.

Turkey’s parliament to resume debate on Sweden’s NATO bid

Shortly after the parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee set a date for its new meeting, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that Turkey and the United States held high-level talks on defense cooperation.

Turkey

In balancing Turkey's interests, Erdogan walks tightrope between West, Hamas

Despite his high-pitched criticism of Israel, Erdogan is expected to tread cautiously on ties with Hamas, unwilling to add further strain on Turkey’s relations with the West and jeopardize trade with Israel.

Turkey

How France is targeting Hamas financing

Representatives of 20 countries gathered in Paris to formulate a plan against the financing of Hamas and expand sanctions against its members.

Israel