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. By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Battle for Khartoum at tipping point as Sudan military advances After years of fighting between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, the two groups’ battle for the capital city of Khartoum could be coming to a head. Sudan
‘People are anxious’: USAID staff rattled by Trump's foreign aid freeze Humanitarian organizations were bracing for foreign aid cuts but were taken aback when President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order pausing assistance for the next 90 days. United States
Interview WFP chief McCain urges funding to alleviate Syria's hunger crisis WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain warned of donor fatigue after nearly 14 years of civil war in Syria. Cindy McCain WFP Executive Director
Analysis From war to governance: Hamas challenged by security vacuum in Gaza By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Interview WFP’s McCain: 'No difference' in Gaza aid flow despite Israel’s tactical pause Cindy McCain World Food Programme Executive Director
Emirati port operator, Uzbek oil company to open trade hub, cooperate on freight Other Middle Eastern states are also seeking better economic relations with Central Asia. Gulf
Turkey under pressure to crack down on Russian shipments of stolen Ukrainian grain Ukraine’s growing pressure on Turkey to act against Russian shipments of “stolen” Ukrainian grain highlights the importance of establishing a safe export corridor under UN auspices. Turkey
Egypt turns to Malaysia, Indonesia for vegetable oil amid food export bans Amid a severe shortage and soaring local prices, Egypt is exerting efforts to resume imports of vegetable oil from Indonesia and Malaysia. Egypt
World Bank official: Lebanon, Yemen, Syria most food-insecure in region Many states across the Middle East and North Africa meet the criteria for food insecurity, experts said at a US Institute of Peace event. Syria
World Bank approves $500 million loan to Egypt for food security Egypt, like other countries in the region, is contending with food security and price increases related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Egypt
Negev Summit steering committee hatches plans in Bahrain After Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid brought together counterparts from Israel, the United States, the Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt last March, senior officials meet in Bahrain to lay more concrete plans. Israel
Turkey says no evidence Ukrainian grains stolen by Russia reached its shores Turkey is being lobbied by the UK to discuss the safe shipping of Ukrainian grain due to looming global shortages but denies any has reached its ports. Turkey
Egypt rejects World Trade Organization agreements on global food crisis Egypt objected to the WTO agreements to alleviate the global food crisis, as it refuses to be forced to export food when it is grappling with its own food crisis. Egypt
Syrian opposition bans wheat exports in response to food crisis The Syrian opposition’s interim government is trying to prevent the smuggling of strategic crops, namely wheat, from its areas of control, amid a global food crisis resulting from the Ukraine war. Syria
As Lebanon’s electricity crisis deepens, water becomes scarcer Despite its natural water resources, Lebanon has reached a crisis point, with many residents unable to afford clean water. Lebanon
Egypt looks to India for wheat to make up losses from Ukraine war A potential deal between Egypt and India to import 500,000 tons of Indian wheat in exchange for Egyptian fertilizers is in the works amid ongoing global wheat shortages. Egypt
Iraqi parliament approves emergency food security bill Iraqi lawmakers passed an emergency food security bill weeks after the Federal Supreme Court labeled unconstitutional a similar bill proposed by the caretaker government. Iraq
