Analysis Algeria hails new $60B energy plan but price slump threatens reform push The OPEC member recently held its first oil and gas licensing round in a decade, attracting significant international interest and awarding five of six onshore blocks, signaling progress in its energy ambitions despite ongoing challenges. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iran, Russia, Central Asia states ink Caspian Sea pact, plan naval drills The navies of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening security in the Caspian Sea basin as the four countries deepen their relations. Iran
World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. Turkey
Analysis Egypt’s renewable power jumps 34% as country tackles energy crunch By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Germany appeals for calm as Turkish, Greek navies run drills in EastMed The Turkish and Greek navies conducted drills in the eastern Mediterranean this week as German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass seeks to bring both nations back to the negotiation table. Turkey
Turkey open to talks with Greece without preconditions: foreign minister During a meeting with his German counterpart, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his government is ready for talks with Greece, but without preconditions. Turkey
Intel: Saudi Arabia Energy Ministry all in on $500 billion megacity An agreement between the futuristic megacity and Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry underscores the Kingdom's push for renewable energy and economic diversification. Originals
Turkey announces major natural gas discovery in Black Sea President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the discovery of 320 billion cubic meters of natural gas will help Turkey reduce its reliance on foreign energy supplies. Turkey
Intel: Iraq to ink oil deal with Chevron, foreign minister says The Iraqi government will sign an agreement with American oil company Chevron, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said during his visit to Washington on Wednesday. Iraq
Intel: Iran’s navy boards oil tanker near Strait of Hormuz, US says A Liberian-flagged ship was seized by Iranian forces in international waters near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US-led maritime security coalition. United States
Turkey to issue new drilling licenses in eastern Mediterranean amid rising tensions Following escalations Aug. 10 between Turkey and Greece over contested areas of the eastern Mediterranean, Ankara officials said they would issue new exploration licenses in the region this month. Turkey
Greece calls on Turkey to stop renewed gas exploration activities in East Med As Turkish vessels are dispatched near Greek territorial waters, analysts say tensions in the eastern Mediterranean Sea could quickly escalate if leaders on both sides do not reengage in diplomatic talks. Turkey
Intel: Amid maritime deal with Egypt, Greece invites UN court to settle sea dispute with Turkey Greek Prime Minister suggests that if no agreement can be reached, his country's dispute with Turkey over a maritime boundary should go to an international court. Egypt
The Takeaway: Will catastrophe reshape Lebanon’s social contract? The scoop on the Syrian Kurdish oil deal; Sisi to challenge Erdogan in Iraq and Syria; Lapid leads list of contenders to challenge Bibi; don’t shortchange Iraq’s resilience. Lebanon
Can Syria's Kurds reel in Turkey with profits from American oil deal? The recent deal signed between the SDF and a US oil company is as much about political brinkmanship as oil. Syria
Iranian supermarket opens in Venezuelan capital Iran and Venezuela maintain strong economic ties despite US sanctions on both countries. United States
