How US-India trade deal could impact Mideast energy, trade routes The United States and India struck a trade agreement on Monday that eases months of tension between the two countries and could influence Gulf oil flows and economic integration. Saudi Arabia
UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran The visit of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed comes a day after the Kremlin hosted President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Russia
European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions As the extent of the killing of protests is gradually revealed, the European Union has decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran
Putin offers $1B in frozen assets for Gaza Board of Peace — will US unfreeze them? It remains unclear how such an arrangement could be implemented, since any contribution from frozen assets would require formal unblocking by the US government. Palestine
Analysis Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
War in Ukraine leaves Lebanon hungry As wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia dwindle, Lebanese people are in danger of going hungry. Lebanon
Ukraine, Russia grain talks in Turkey stir optimism as UN voices caution Turkey’s defense chief has announced Russia and Ukraine are set to sign an understanding over a series of “fundamental technical” issues that the warring parties agreed on during today’s talk in Istanbul. Turkey
Analysis The Takeaway: Biden opens ‘new chapter’ with Middle East trip Energy company touts oil for food for Syria; Ukraine’s ambassador in Turkey talks Russia; Iran’s unprecedented inflation; oil stoves make comeback in Lebanon; Sudanese civilians skeptical of moves by military leaders; and more. By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti
Erdogan, Putin set to meet in Tehran The Turkish, Iranian and Russian leaders are set to meet in Tehran next week amid lingering Turkish threats against Syrian Kurdish groups. Putin and Erdogan will separately discuss the Ukrainian grain crisis. Turkey
US: Iran aims to send drones to Russia for use in Ukraine White House releases intel linking Iran to Russia's war on Ukraine just days before President Joe Biden is set to meet Israeli, Arab leaders. Iran
Ukraine’s Turkey ambassador: strategic ties intact but public unhappy over Turkish stance on Russia Turkey's ambassador to Kyiv has been summoned to voice Ukraine's displeasure over its grain stolen by Russia and shipped to Turkish ports. Turkey
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 licenses first power unit at Dabaa nuclear power plant The Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority licensed the construction of the first power unit at the Dabaa nuclear power plant, in a step showing that the Russian-Egyptian venture has not been affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions imposed on Moscow. Egypt
Israeli court rejects cap on Ukrainian refugees This week, Israel’s Supreme Court struck down the cap imposed by the Interior Ministry on the number of Ukrainian refugees allowed into the country. Israel
Many Swedes unsettled by NATO deal with Turkey The Swedish government has come under fire for its concessions to Turkey in return for Ankara’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership, and the angst among Swedes of Kurdish origin is palpable. Turkey
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
Egypt plans to use ruble in trade with Russia Egypt and Russia seek to switch to local currencies in their trade transactions to overcome obstacles created by Western sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war. Egypt
