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
Doubts surround Turkey’s efforts to revive its EU membership bid A Western diplomat says Ankara is unlikely to enact democratic reforms that would ease President Erdogan’s grip on power. Turkey
Egypt joins with EU to protect water security Egypt is tackling its water crisis in cooperation with the European Union, which has pledged to finance irrigation-development projects and improve the country's water management system. Egypt
Will AKP-linked biker gang scuttle a Berlin-Ankara rapprochement? During the current row with the United States, Turkish leaders have rediscovered their love for the European Union, particularly Germany, but the illegal activities of the Osmanen Germania Biker Club in Germany and its ties to the Ankara government could complicate efforts to improve relations. Turkey
Cairo, Rome carefully repair relations two years after researcher's murder The Italian foreign minister’s recent visit to Egypt revived diplomatic relations between Cairo and Rome following the long, heated dispute over the slaying of Italian postgraduate student Giulio Regeni. Egypt
US reimposes sanctions as Iran deal crumbles With the Donald Trump administration set to reimpose Iran sanctions after exiting the nuclear deal, it’s looking less and less likely the rest of the world can salvage the accord. United States
Is Russia a better fit than the EU to help relieve Iran from sanctions? While Iran would prefer EU help when it comes to relief from US sanctions, Moscow might be better suited to this role than Europeans. United States
EU condemns Israel's new nationality law The European Union is concerned by Israel's new law defining a Jewish nation-state, protesting that it is discriminatory and will hinder a two-state solution. Palestine
Palestinians pin hopes on Irish efforts against Israeli imports Palestinians are hoping an Irish bill that would ban imports of products from occupied territories will help launch a unified European stance against Israeli settlements. Palestine
Why Irish sanctions on settlement products don't scare Israel An Irish parliament decision to advance sanctions legislation against imported settlement products has minimal economic consequences, but one would not know that based on the response of the Israeli government. Palestine
Egypt rejects EU plan to force refugees into camps The debate over the European Union’s plan to set up centers for migrants in North Africa and the Middle East has been rekindled in Egypt, where officials reiterated their rejection of such centers. Egypt
Tehran in fresh diplomatic push to salvage nuclear deal Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has embarked on a European tour for talks expected to revolve around the nuclear deal. Oman
After Erdogan's win, what's next for Turkey's foreign policy? Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s anti-Western rhetoric and signs pointing to its continuing, Western leaders appear to accept that they will nonetheless simply have to work with him. Turkey
