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
Raisi ready to support ‘any diplomatic plan’ that lifts sanctions on Iran Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister is ready to "send a message" to Iran in response to drone attack on Israeli-managed ship that killed two. Iran
Israel’s Lapid pumps European hands in Brussels Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's enthusiastic connecting in Brussels clearly indicates he intends to reboot Israel’s ties with the European Union. Israel
Erdogan: Turkey will continue oil exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean Turkey's president may be upping the ante against Greece, Cyprus and the European Union. Turkey
UAE orders Italy to withdraw forces from base in arms sale row The Emirates is kicking Italy's forces out of Al Minhad airbase United Arab Emirates
Lapid calls out Poland for bill limiting Holocaust compensation Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid objects to Polish legislation designed to limit restitution rights for Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Israel
EU leaders back funding but warn Erdogan against 'instrumentalizing' Syrian migrants EU leaders propose further funding to Turkey for Syrian refugees, but, at Greece’s insistence, issue a warning that the bloc “condemns any attempt by third countries to instrumentalize migrants for political purposes.” Turkey
Advocates call for greater focus on democratic rights in Turkey ahead of European summit As European leaders prepare to review EU-Turkey relations in a summit this week, advocates urged greater links between future cooperation and improvements in basic rights and the rule of law in Turkey. Turkey
Erdogan’s meeting with Biden more spin than substance The two leaders' first meeting as heads of state led to detailed discussions, but there were no breakthroughs. Turkey
European Parliament calls for suspension of Turkey accession talks In a critical report, the European Parliament has suggested suspending Turkey’s long-stalled EU accession negotiations unless negative domestic and foreign policy trends are reversed. Turkey
European countries urge Israel to halt planned settlement expansion Five foreign ministries call on Israel to scuttle plans to build more West Bank settlements. Israel
The cost of Turkey’s grey passport scandal Turkey’s service passport scandal may be more costly than imagined. On the domestic front, the case is one more sign that organized crime fuels corruption. In the international arena, Turkey is expected to encounter more embarrassment and court cases for smugglers. Turkey
Turkey sees turning point in failed Cyprus summit Turkey hopes for British support as it takes on a more hawkish posture on the Cyprus conflict, risking fresh tensions with the European Union. Turkey
