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
Russia claims Ukraine is staging atrocities a la Syria’s White Helmets The Russian government has made similar claims about the pro-rebel Syrian rescuers in the past. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey evaluates Ukraine’s request for closure of Turkish straits Ankara "will to use its discretion in favor of peace,” a top ruling party official said on Ukraine's call for the Russian navy to be barred from passing into the Black Sea and for sanctions on Moscow. Turkey
Israeli foreign minister condemns Russian attack on Ukraine Jerusalem has been careful not to criticize Moscow publicly over Ukraine, but Foreign Minister Yair Lapid adopted a much harsher tone at a press conference today. Israel
Egypt says no worries over Suez Canal amid Russian-Ukrainian standoff The head of the Suez Canal Authority said Egypt is ready for all the possible scenarios resulting from tensions between Russia and Ukraine and their impact on global navigation. Egypt
Analysis The Takeaway: Iran nuclear talks so far unaffected by US-Russia showdown Israel and Turkey weigh responses on Ukraine; Egyptians respond to film about gay love story; Sheikh Jarrah tensions escalate again; Yazidis react to al-Qurayshi killing; and more … all in less than 1,200 words! By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Ukraine crisis exposes Turkey’s limits The Ukraine crisis has exposed Ankara’s limits on foreign policy, yet Turkey’s President Erdogan can still score points from rapprochement with the UAE and Israel. Turkey
Erdogan calls Russia's recognition of Ukrainian breakaways 'unacceptable' President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who cut short his visit to Africa after Russia recognizes two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, expresses support for Zelenskyy’s proposal for summit. Turkey
Israel straddles ties with US, Russia over Ukraine Israel has made it clear that if it is forced to pick sides between the United States and Russia, it will have to pick the Americans. Israel
Russia flexes in Syria as US warns of Ukraine invasion The Kremlin is exercising its power well outside of Europe with naval and air drills on the Mediterranean ahead of an expected invasion of Ukraine. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli ultra-Orthodox fret over Russia-Ukraine conflict For the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, which considers Ukraine as a sort of a homeland, the possibility of a Russian invasion is taken personally. Israel
Israeli leadership caught between US, Russia over Ukraine Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid walk a fine line to avoid angering Russian President Vladimir Putin while not turning their backs on the United States and Ukraine. Israel
Israel promises support for Ukrainian Jews Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has made it clear that if Jews in Ukraine find themselves in need of rescue, Israel will be there for them. Israel
