EU-Mideast ties

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was hosted in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron, where the sides signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement in AI, on Feb. 6, 2025.

Analysis

UAE hedges against global economic volatility with EU trade agreement

The UAE is doubling down on bilateral free trade agreements as it hedges against economic headwinds fueled by the United States' universal tariff policy.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

A picture taken on July 23, 2021 shows an Algerian flag fluttering on the facade of the embassy in Paris. - Algeria expressed "deep concern" following press reports that it may have been the target of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware as it launched a probe. (Photo by Joël SAGET / AFP) (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation

Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria.

TOPSHOT - France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) shares a laugh with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) ahead of a round table as part of the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

France recalibrates Turkey ties as east Med dynamics shift: What to know

After years of strain between France and Turkey, the two countries seem to be seeking rapprochement on regional issues.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Italian energy giant Eni's general director, Claudio Descalzi.

Italy's Eni to invest $26B in Egypt, Libya, Algeria energy projects

Eni is already a leading foreign energy company in the region, with footholds in Algeria, Egypt and Libya.

Latest News

UK lawyers accuse 10 nationals of war crimes in Gaza: What to know

London Gaza protest

Germany's plan to deport 4 residents over pro-Palestine protests 'unlawful': Lawyer

A protestor shouts during a gathering to commemorate Land Day on March 29, 2025 in Berlin, Germany.

Israeli FM says indirect US-Iran talks likely, hails 'common objective' with France

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (C) listens to Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar (L) during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem on March 24, 2025. (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Spain arrests 3 suspects accused of supplying Hezbollah with drone parts

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

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attend an agreement signing ceremony at the Elysee Palace, in Paris on Feb. 27, 2024.

Qatari emir in France to discuss Gaza war, economic deals — and talk Mbappe

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has a wide-ranging agenda on his first state visit to Paris.

Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, speaks to the crew over the 1MC aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85).

Interview

Yemen’s Houthis undeterred by strikes, senior US Navy commander says

In an exclusive interview, the US Navy’s top commander in the Middle East leveled with Al-Monitor about what the current campaign against the Houthis has achieved, saying diplomatic pressure could ultimately get the Iran-backed rebels to halt their brazen attacks on international commercial shipping.

George Wikoff

George Wikoff

Commander of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet

Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (R) meets with his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez (L), in Rabat, on Feb. 2, 2023.

Morocco-Spain thaw continues with investment pledge, aerospace deal

Spain and Morocco have historically been at odds over Western Sahara, migration and territorial disputes.

French marines patrol the area around the French navy frigate, the FS Languedoc.

Analysis

Despite internal discord, EU to launch Red Sea naval mission within 3 weeks

Internal disagreements within the European Union are why Brussels announced only this week that it will set up a naval military mission in the Red Sea to protect the maritime route.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with Commissioner general of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini during an international humanitary conference for civilians in Gaza, at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, on November 9, 2023. Thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip entered southern Israel in an unprecedented attack triggering a war declared by Israel on Hamas with retaliatory bombings on Gaza. (

Analysis

EU split on UNRWA funding: Germany, Italy suspend while others call for audit

Several Western countries have decided to follow the Americans and suspend their donations to UNRWA, at least until an investigation is carried out into allegations that some of their staff participated in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Photo illustration of a selection of front pages from UK daily national newspaper coverage, London, Jan. 18, 2024.

Analysis

UAE-backed fund's planned Telegraph takeover raises press freedom fears

Members of parliament and former state security figures have raised concerns about what it would mean for an entity with close ties to a foreign government to own one of the United Kingdom’s most influential newspapers.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

France's Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna (2R) meets with soldiers of the French contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), outside the Pine Residence, the French Ambassador's official residence in Beirut, on December 18, 2023. France's top diplomat is in Lebanon on December 18, for talks on de-escalating near-daily exchanges of fire on the Israel border, which have triggered fears of all-out conflict. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Image

Breaking | Last Updated: January 11, 2024, 4:42 pm

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna out as France changes cabinet

With French President Emmanuel Macron still in charge of his country's foreign policies, Colonna's exit is unlikely to affect Paris' Middle East positions.

Turkey’s parliament to resume debate on Sweden’s NATO bid

Shortly after the parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee set a date for its new meeting, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that Turkey and the United States held high-level talks on defense cooperation.

TOPSHOT - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R) gestures after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a guest book during his visit at Bellevue presidential palace in Berlin on November 17, 2023. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

In balancing Turkey's interests, Erdogan walks tightrope between West, Hamas

Despite his high-pitched criticism of Israel, Erdogan is expected to tread cautiously on ties with Hamas, unwilling to add further strain on Turkey’s relations with the West and jeopardize trade with Israel.

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video conference at the presidential Elysee Palace on Oct. 20, 2023.

How France is targeting Hamas financing

Representatives of 20 countries gathered in Paris to formulate a plan against the financing of Hamas and expand sanctions against its members.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) and Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom (L).

Why Turkey is still dragging its feet on Sweden's NATO accession

Turkey’s top diplomat discussed the pending Swedish membership on the sidelines of the NATO summit with his US and Swedish counterparts as well as the NATO chief.

Zaid Abdulnasser

As Germany expands anti-Hamas raids, a Palestinian activist fights against deportation

Caught in a web of geopolitics, migration policy and Germany’s growing attempts to contend with pro-Palestinian speech, Zaid Abdulnasser is fighting a battle to avoid deportation from his new home.