EU-Mideast ties

Analysis

Once an ally, Italy’s Meloni sours on Israel's Netanyahu, repositions on Gaza

With regional stability at stake and a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Rome has adjusted its position and Netanyahu can no longer assume Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is in his political pocket.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Interview

AI pioneer Schmidhuber bets on Saudi Arabia for trillion-dollar breakthrough

Juergen Schmidhuber, a pioneering AI researcher told Al-Monitor that Gulf players have opportunities to take on traditional tech powerhouses in this high stakes AI race. 

Juergen Schmidhuber

AI computer scientist

Analysis

As they throw punches, will Egypt downgrade ties with Israel over Rafah?

The disagreement between Israel and Egypt over the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip contrasts heavily with the tight security cooperation between the two countries before Oct. 7.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Erdogan rebukes Greek PM for calling Hamas ‘terrorists,’ says 1,000+ members being treated in Turkey

Erdogan’s comments came after the Greek prime minister told the news conference that “particularly in the Middle East there are differences with Turkey.”

Turkey

Israel's Elbit clinches $53M deal to sell mortar systems to Europe

Between 2019 and 2023, Israeli weapons constituted 2.4% of the global market, massively reshaped by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and increased imports by European countries.

Israel

Belgium endorses Palestine's UN bid, Spain and Ireland may follow

The State of Palestine is seeking more diplomatic recognition from Western Europe as it seeks to become a full member of the United Nations.

Palestine

Interview

EU envoy says Israel cannot condition Gaza humanitarian aid on hostage deal

EU envoy to the Middle East process Sven Koopmans said Israel cannot condition the expansion of humanitarian aid in Gaza on reaching a hostage deal with Hamas.

Sven Koopmans

EU Special Representative for Middle East Peace Process

Abbas makes full-court press in Saudi Arabia for Palestinian recognition

As momentum for negotiations with Israel over a two-state solution stalls, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is doubling down on efforts to get European leaders to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state.

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

How EU-West Bank police mission hopes to advance two-state solution

Newly appointed EUPOL COPPS chief Karin Limdal is tasked with helping Palestinian law enforcement institutions reform to facilitate the implementation of the two-state solution and Palestinian statehood.

Palestine

UAE, Ukraine conclude trade deal talks, Emirates to help post-war reconstruction

Ukraine’s bilateral trade has sharply fallen since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.

United Arab Emirates

Erdogan and Germany's Steinmeier chuckle over doner kebab as ties grow

The German president’s visit, marking the centennial of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Germany, came during a challenging time for Ankara-Berlin relations, given the wide gap over the Israel-Hamas war.

Turkey

What does EU visa relaxation for Saudi, Bahraini, Omani citizens mean?

Under the new rules, Bahraini, Omani and Saudi Arabian nationals will be eligible for multiple-entry visas, allowing them to visit the Schengen area (the EU’s 27 member states as well as Bulgaria and Romania) and move freely between them.

Saudi Arabia