Iran’s IRGC says advanced warship joins naval fleet amid US tensions The addition appears to be Iran's latest strategic yet cautious positioning in the face of strain with the United States and Israel. Iran
Analysis Following Syria losses, Russia seeks to double down on Africa presence Following Assad’s fall, Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa by securing a naval base in Sudan and increasing its military presence in Libya to maintain strategic access to the Mediterranean and Red seas. By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics
Analysis Sudan, Russia reach 'understanding' on naval base but hurdles remain A naval base deal that has been more than five years in the making has gained renewed attention after statements from Sudan’s foreign minister while in Moscow. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Egypt’s Suez Canal chief optimistic about Red Sea as attacks die down The Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have ceased owing to the ceasefire in Gaza, prompting Egypt to encourage shipping companies to resume sailing through the waterway. Egypt
Analysis How will Trump's terrorist designation of Houthis impact Red Sea attacks? By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Analysis With Saudi and UAE deals, Spain's defense industry seizes Gulf expansion By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis As Qatar looks to modernize navy, Turkey and Italy emerge as dominant players By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Blinken urges UN to hold Iran accountable for Mercer Street attack US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the drone strike was the latest in a pattern of Iranian attacks and provocative behavior. Iran
Iran calls Gulf of Oman accusations 'psychological warfare' Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of a "destructive" response to any attack. Iran
Pentagon doesn't rule out response for Gulf shipping attack Iran's conflicts with its neighbors once again loom over Biden's ambitions to return to the Iran deal. Iran
Erdogan: Turkey will continue oil exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean Turkey's president may be upping the ante against Greece, Cyprus and the European Union. Turkey
French foreign minister: Turkey and France have a ‘verbal cease-fire’ Jean-Yves Le Drian told a French TV station there is still a long way to go to improve Turkey-France relations, mentioning Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. The French and Turkish presidents had a cordial meeting earlier this week. News Brief
Turkey’s muddled approach to Palestine Ankara sees a recently ratified security cooperation deal between Turkey and the Palestinian Authority as groundwork for a possible maritime boundary agreement between Turkey and Palestine. Experts see such prospects as far-fetched. Turkey
Egypt sets conditions for full normalization with Turkey Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry laid down several conditions that would serve as a basis for normalizing ties with Turkey, in light of the recent attempts at rapprochement between the two countries. Egypt
Egypt to deepen, widen Suez Canal after blockage Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has approved a project to widen and deepen the southern stretch of the Suez Canal, where a giant vessel blocked the strategic maritime artery for nearly a week in March. Egypt
Egypt's Sisi approves plan to widen, deepen Suez Canal after stuck ship The plan includes widening and deepening the area where Ever Given got stuck in March. News Brief
Iran denies US Navy’s account of run-in in Persian Gulf Iran has accused the US Navy of “false narratives” and “unprofessional behavior” in the latest run-in with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Libyan conflict stands out as key to Turkey-Egypt normalization Turkey appears reluctant to back down from its military posture in Libya, even as its normalization bid with Egypt depends greatly on whether the two sides find common ground in the Libyan conflict. Turkey
Russian ship gets stuck near Caspian en route to Iran The cargo vessel got stuck in a canal north of the Caspian Sea while bringing goods to Iran. Russia and Iran have lobbied for an alternative to the Suez Canal through their countries recently. News Brief
