New Turkey maritime draft bill fuels EastMed tensions with Greece, Cyprus Turkey’s draft maritime bill seeks to formalize Ankara’s claims in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Black seas, raising tensions with Greece and Cyprus over contested maritime boundaries and offshore energy rights. Turkey
After year away, France returns ambassador to Algeria: What to know France and Algeria have made efforts to improve ties recently, with the strain resulting from disagreements over Western Sahara and their shared colonial past. Algeria
EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names. Israel
Iran president says he held official meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei: What to know The president’s announcement marks the first public confirmation of a meeting between a senior official and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the start of the war. Iran
EU's top diplomat asks member states to sanction some Israeli ministers Meeting with European Union foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell advances sanctions against some Israeli ministers. Israel
French FM to visit Israel after Lebanon amid efforts to thwart all-out war After meeting with Lebanese leaders in Beirut, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne continues on to Israel in a bid to prevent the outbreak of a regional war. Israel
Analysis France struggles to find its footing, play role in Lebanon-Israel crisis French President Emmanuel Macron has multiplied his contact with Middle Eastern leaders, trying to prevent escalation in the region, but so far, has not sent his foreign minister to Beirut. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
CENTCOM chief heads for Israel as country prepares for Iran attack US Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla has arrived in the Middle East in efforts to coordinate with Israel and other countries against an expected attack by Iran. Israel
UK’s new government reboots trade talks with Gulf, Israel, Turkey New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made economic growth a priority of his Labour government and has pledged to make the UK the fastest-growing economy in the G20. Saudi Arabia
Who is Faisal Taghi, alleged drug kingpin extradited from UAE to Netherlands? The UAE and the Netherlands have an extradition treaty, though another alleged drug trafficker sought by the European country was recently released from Emirati custody. United Arab Emirates
Gulf investment in UK real estate to hit $4B annually, says BLME Research predicts that demographic trends and supply shortages will make the UK's real estate sector a more popular option for investors in the future. Saudi Arabia
France investigates death threats against Israeli Olympic athletes As demonstrators protest the Gaza war at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, French police are investigating death threats sent to three Israeli athletes. Israel
Iran summons German ambassador, furious over Islamic center closure Iran, which has been running similar foundations in several Western countries, condemned the ban as an act of Islamophobia after Berlin found the center to be propagating "extremism and fundamentalism." Iran
What’s behind UK's terrorism conviction of Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary? Choudary was previously imprisoned for his support of ISIS and has long campaigned for the imposition of Islamic law in the UK. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis Israeli minister's support for Le Pen causing tensions in France-Israel ties Reports that French President Emmanuel Macron confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about statements championing the far-right's Marine Le Pen signal the dangers of the Israeli government siding with European populists. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
China's BYD, world's biggest EV maker, invests $1B in Turkish plant In a post on the social media platform X on Monday, Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz confirmed that BYD is expected to begin production of vehicles in the new factory at the end of 2026 and that the facility will provide around 5,000 direct jobs. Turkey
