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
Public outcry as EU increasingly rejects Turkish visas The Turkish public’s outcry over the growing number of EU visa rejections has prompted the Turkish government to threaten the EU with countermeasures, but the matter will unlikely be resolved until underlying structural problems are addressed. Turkey
Emirates launches codeshare deal with Aegean as UAE-Greece ties continue to strengthen The United Arab Emirates and Greece have signed a variety of political, defense and economic agreements in recent years. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Iran nuclear deal's fate uncertain as EU makes final push Neither Washington nor Tehran are calling it quits, but experts are skeptical an EU proposal to revive the nuclear deal can break the deadlock. By Ali Hashem , Elizabeth Hagedorn
Egypt, Serbia launch new chapter in relations amid war in Ukraine Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi’s visit to Serbia opens a new chapter in old relations between Cairo and Belgrade in the midst of the Ukraine crisis and may bring the activity of the member-states of the Non-Aligned Movement to the forefront of international relations. Egypt
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to work with France’s TotalEnergies on carbon capture The deal came during UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to France, where he strengthened energy relations with the European country. The two countries have grown closer over Libya and energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean. Legacy: Gulf
Israel-EU talks to resume for first time in decade EU foreign ministers agreed today to convene soon a meeting under the EU-Israel Association Council in order to regulate and advance relations between Brussels and Jerusalem. Israel
Turkish extradition requests often disregarded by Western allies Ankara has long viewed foreign courts’ refusal to repatriate suspects as a sign of obstruction by their governments, but the West looks askance at the Turkish judicial system. Turkey
Reports: Libya denies cutting gas exports to Italy Italy wants Libya to boost its gas exports to Europe in an effort to reduce the continent’s energy dependence on Russia. North Africa
Europe’s top court reprimands Turkey for jailing philanthropist Today’s decision by Europe's top rights court on Osman Kavala, who has kept behind bars for four and a half years in pre-detention and sentenced to life, inches Turkey closer to suspension of its voting rights or even membership in the Council of Europe. Turkey
Egypt, Greece, Cyprus boost military cooperation in EastMed region Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have promoted their military relations in the face of security threats and to defend their interests in the Eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas reserves. Egypt
Algeria to maintain gas supplies to Spain despite dispute Algeria's announcement concerning the immediate suspension of the treaty of friendship and good neighborliness concluded with Spain in October 2002, after Madrid’s radical change of position on the Western Sahara issue on March 18, will not have negative consequences on gas contracts signed by the two countries. North Africa
23 migrants dead at Morocco-Spain border Spain’s enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta in North Africa have long been a flashpoint for people seeking to enter the European Union from Africa, resulting in tensions between Morocco, Algeria and Spain. North Africa
