Turkey eyes offshore energy pact with Syria in 2026 amid East Med isolation Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has offered up details on a deal with Syria that could unsettle regional rivals in the gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Analysis France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference France believes that the key to stabilizing the region is bolstering the Lebanese military so it can regain control over the south of the country. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Germany makes first deportation to Syria since 2011: What to know There are roughly 1 million Syrians in Germany, most of whom fled there during the country’s civil war. Syria
Italy pledges to maintain troops in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL withdrawal Italy plays a crucial role in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, with an Italian leading its command and the country contributing over 1,000 troops to the mission. Lebanon
Analysis Israel likely to strike Iran in 2026, European diplomats say By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Morocco’s economy to benefit as EU drops it from money laundering list The North African country was removed from the list of high-risk countries for money laundering and terrorism financing in a decision announced by the European Commission on Wednesday. Morocco
Analysis Meet Italy’s Luigi Di Maio, EU’s first envoy for Gulf region Not everyone in Italy and France is welcoming the nomination of former Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio as the European Union's new envoy to the Gulf region. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Sweden-Iran ties strained even more after resolution to blacklist IRGC Following the execution of Iranian-Swedish dual national Habib Chaab, the Swedish parliament adopted with an overwhelming majority a resolution calling to blacklist the IRGC. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Germany arrests two suspected Hezbollah members over 'recruiting activities' Germany designated the Lebanese militant group a terror organization in 2020 and has seen its relations with Iran sour in the last year. Lebanon
UAE axes $879m military helicopter deal with Airbus Muammar Abdulla Abushehab, defense and security industry affairs sector chief for the UAE’s Tawazun Council, stressed that the decision was not a political one. United Arab Emirates
EU cancels Israel's Europe Day reception over Ben-Gvir participation The EU mission in Israel announced that it was canceling its Europe Day reception to avoid hosting far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Israel
Italy and UAE push reset button, boost strategic partnership under Meloni The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni seeks to boost ties with the UAE, which Rome views as a strategic partner in the region. Legacy: Gulf
Iran's SAIPA signs $497 million car deal with Russia, Belarus Iranian carmaker SAIPA will export vehicles to Belarus and Russia following a similar agreement with Venezuela. Iran
Israel, EU reconcile, agree to hold summit after Cohen-Borrell meeting In a surprising move, Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and EU's foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell agreed in Brussels to hold an association council meeting by the end of 2023. Israel is also advocating for more EU sanctions on Iran. Israel
Belgium looking into Iran's request for prisoner swap Belgium and Iran seemingly advance toward a prisoner exchange deal, though Brussels is warning that contrary to Tehran’s statements this could take time. Iran
Iran blacklists EU, UK officials as it ups armed support for Russia Iran's tit-for-tat measure marked the latest episode in its tensions with Western adversaries and coincided with fresh allegations of its military assistance to Russia in the war against Ukraine. Iran
Analysis Ball now in Tunisia's court regarding $1.9bn IMF bailout Officials from the IMF, the World Bank and Italy have all commented on the proposed bailout package this week as a Tunisian delegation joins the spring meeting of the multilateral institutions in Washington. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
