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
Human rights the elephant in the room at Arab-EU summit The first summit of European Union and Arab League leaders exposed existing rifts between the Middle East and Europe, in particular on the human rights front. Legacy: Gulf
Netanyahu’s dance with anti-Semitism A comment on anti-Semitism in Poland by acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz has inadvertently exposed the hypocrisy of Israel’s right-wing government. Israel
Trump allies hijack Warsaw summit with calls for Iran war, regime change Giuliani's meeting with Iranian opposition group and Israeli prime minister's tweet about war with Iran gets conference on promoting peace in the Middle East off to problematic start. Yemen
Turkey, Greece take symbolic but significant steps closer Ankara and Athens both could have lots to gain if they're able to turn goodwill gestures into concrete solutions to their common problems. Originals
Will Warsaw summit unite US, EU against Iran? Despite a likely Western European snub in terms of level of representation, the Warsaw summit holds the possibility of being a starting point for a European-American consensus against Iran down the line, potentially depriving Tehran of even the minimum benefits of the nuclear deal. United States
Cairo seeks international help to clear millions of land mines Egypt is still littered with land mines from past wars, endangering its citizens and complicating development efforts. Egypt
As Greek PM visits Turkey, Erdogan calls for peacefully resolving disputes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras signaled warming ties during the latter's visit to Turkey. Turkey
Iranian opposition unwelcome at Pompeo’s anti-Iran bash Iranian opposition gets left out of meeting on Iran taking place in Poland next week. Legacy: Gulf
Why Europe just made Rouhani’s effort to exit FATF blacklist even harder The E3’s seeming tying of the launch of its new trade mechanism to Iran’s passing of controversial bills has energized hard-line calls for refusal to accede to the FATF’s action plan. Iran
Why Europe's payment channel may be too little to keep Iran in JCPOA Iran is inching closer than ever to withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as it finds European steps toward maintaining the deal too little, too late — a perception exacerbated by more European non-nuclear sanctions. Iran
US allies try to dilute anti-Iran agenda for Warsaw summit Wary European allies are trying to dilute and broaden the agenda and lower their diplomatic representation for a US-backed ministerial meeting on Middle East peace and security to be held Feb. 13-14 in Warsaw, Poland. United States
Iran says Poland conference divides Europe Iran has condemned an upcoming anti-Iran meeting hosted by Poland. Russia
