Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know The sanctions, which were trigged by the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, will not hinder Iranian oil exports to China, an official said. Iran
From F-35s to Ukraine: Erdogan-Trump talks signal reset, but sanctions obstacles remain The summit underscored both leaders’ personal chemistry while highlighting the limits of what the partnership can deliver. Turkey
CENTCOM launches task force to drive Pentagon’s drone race New unit aims to put "combat-credible" drone systems into the hands of US troops in the Middle East within 60 days, part of an ambitious new push by the Pentagon to leapfrog advances made by Washington's adversaries in fielding cheaply made but lethal armed drones. United States
As EU tries to wean off Russian gas, pipeline imports via Turkey rise The European Union is importing more Russian gas via Turkey despite efforts to end imports from Russia. Turkey
Analysis As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Pro-Russia rallies continue throughout Syria Syria has been one of the most vocally supportive countries of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Syria
Will Ukraine crisis help Turkey dodge Western arms embargoes? Drawing on the role of Turkish drones in bolstering Ukraine’s defense, Erdogan has urged NATO partners to lift restrictions on military sales to Turkey. But US sanctions remain a tough row to hoe. Turkey
OPEC remains committed to oil production agreement with Russia The Biden administration has been unable to get Gulf states to increase oil production to bring down prices and some European states are seeking alternatives to Russian natural gas. Legacy: Gulf
War in Ukraine pushes Egypt to ramp up wheat production The Egyptian government is working to increase local wheat production to reach self-sufficiency, after the Russian war on Ukraine added many challenges to secure the country's needs for food security. Egypt
Israel’s Bennett continues mediation efforts between Russia, Ukraine Prime Minister Naftali Bennett continues to be engaged and involved in contacts between Russia and Ukraine and in efforts to end the war. Israel
Turkish taxpayers outraged at cost of lira protection scheme Turkey’s Treasury faces a hefty bill from a controversial plan to defend the Turkish lira, even as the scheme has failed to make a major impact in reducing dollarization. Turkey
Erdogan gets no meeting with Biden at NATO Ukraine summit Despite reportedly intense diplomatic efforts, Turkey's president did not get to meet his US counterpart at today’s NATO summit in Brussels. Turkey
Europe unhappy with Israel's reluctance to sanction Russia While European capitals would like to see Israel join the sanctions packages enacted by the West against Russia, they have expressed understanding of Israel’s delicate position. Israel
Terror attack in Beersheba unsettles Israeli government The stabbing attacks that killed four in the south of Israel is forcing the government to shift focus away from Ukraine and back to the domestic front. Israel
Egypt seeks to contain price hikes caused by Ukraine crisis Egypt is dealing with soaring prices of bread and food products. Egypt
Will Turkey become haven for sanctioned Russians? Ankara is facing increasing pressure to comply with sanctions imposed on Moscow and to increase scrutiny on Turkish banks to make sure they don’t violate sanctions. Turkey
Israel’s energy minister talks Ukraine, global energy crisis in Paris Leading efforts for Israel to join the International Energy Agency, Energy Minister Karin Elharar is in Paris discussing ways to confront the challenges of the current global crisis. Israel
