EU-Mideast ties

A picture taken at the port of Dilovasi, outside Istanbul, on June 20, 2019, shows the drilling ship Yavuz scheduled to search for oil and gas off Cyprus.

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.

A view of a concrete wall built by Israel near the Blue Line in Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon, on Nov. 13, 2025.

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.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

GREGOR FISCHER/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto (Middle-L) meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) in Beirut at Baabda Palace, on Dec. 22, 2025.

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.

Latest News

Sweden summons Iranian ambassador over dual national sentence

JESSICA GOW/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time

A fan waves a Pride flag before the soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field, on June 3, 2023, in Seattle, Washington.

Analysis

Israel likely to strike Iran in 2026, European diplomats say

Smoke rises as fire burns, in an alleged site of IRGC's missile launch targeted by Israel on the mountains of Shiraz, Iran on June 21, 2025. Israel attacked Iran in early hours of June 13, and the exchange of fire between the two countries continues ever since. (Photo by Hiroon / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by HIROON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Meloni to attend GCC summit in Bahrain as Italy deepens Gulf ties

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (C/L) welcomes President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at The Chigi Palace in Rome, on Feb. 24, 2025.

Civil Guard agents are pictured in an anti-terrorist operation against a Hezbollah drone manufacturing facility in this undated photo.

Spain arrests 3 suspects accused of supplying Hezbollah with drone parts

This is the second time in under a year that Spanish authorities have arrested individuals with links to Hezbollah.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism of the State of Israel Amichai Chikli delivers a speech during the symposium on fighting antisemitism on Jan. 22, 2024, in Krakow, Poland.

Far-right Europeans invited to Israel's antisemitism conference, causing boycott

Jewish communities in Europe are furious over Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli's inviting far-right European politicians to an antisemitism conference in Jerusalem.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas said, brandishing a large map of

Interview

In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue

Former Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert believes Israel should recognize the legitimacy of the Syrian interim administration, telling Al-Monitor in an interview that he believes that the two countries should open dialogue.

Haifa port

Turkey blocks Israel from NATO crisis response drill amid Gaza row: What to know

The diplomatic conflict between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza war has spilled over into NATO.

A young man looks at the Bayraktar TB2 drone.

Turkey's Baykar partners with Italy’s Leonardo on drones: What to know

The joint venture could further boost Baykar’s drone fleet and comes amid improving Italy-Turkey trade ties.

A picture shows the headquarters of UAE's state oil company ADNOC in Dubai on July 27, 2022.

UAE’s ADNOC, Austria’s OMV merge businesses to create $60B plastics firm

Following the acquisition, the new firm, called Borouge Group International (BGI), will be the world’s fourth-largest polyofin company, said ADNOC and OMV.

United Arab Emirates

Voladymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Amid US rift and Saudi rivalry, UAE offers Zelenskyy economic lifeline

Gulf countries find themselves in a difficult position as they navigate placating Trump, maintaining good relations with Russia, and engaging with Ukraine while also providing mediation and humanitarian aid.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Lebanese army soldiers stand on an earthen barrier constructed by Israeli forces in the town of Yaroun, Lebanon, on Feb. 2, 2025.

France says Israel-Lebanon deconfliction holding — but for how long?

The mechanism charged with controlling the implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah proves efficient, say French senior officials.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (C/L) welcomes the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Italy's Meloni secures $40B in UAE investments during MBZ visit: What to know

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has secured a total of $50 billion worth of deals from her engagements with the UAE and Saudi Arabia so far this year.

United Arab Emirates

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas holds a press conference during the EU's foreign affairs council at the EU headquarters in Brussels on February 24, 2025. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

EU suspends key energy, banking sanctions on Syria: What we know

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s interim government has been trying to court the international community to encourage investment and ease sanctions to allow Syria’s economy to recover.

Israeli soldiers walk along the buffer zone between northern Israel and southern Lebanon, Feb. 18, 2025.

Analysis

Israel facing 3 options after extending military presence in south Lebanon

Israeli forces remain at five outposts after their deadline to withdrew, and the parameters for their departure remain unclear.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

The Israeli flag flies in front of the Israeli embassy in Berlin, on October 20, 2024. A Libyan suspected of planning an attack on the Israeli embassy in Berlin and links to the Islamic State (IS) group will appear before a judge on October 20, 2024, German prosecutors said. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP) (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Germany arrests Russian suspect over alleged plan to attack Israeli Embassy

On Thursday, a Russian national suspected of planning an attack on the Israeli Embassy was arrested by German authorities, and in a separate incident on Friday, a stabbing occurred at the Holocaust memorial in Berlin.