Interview UAE official says opening Hormuz integral to any Iran deal, describes infrastructure damage 'manageable' Abdulla Balalaa, UAE assistant minister of foreign affairs for energy and sustainability, spoke to Al-Monitor about the situation in the Gulf along with the UAE's focus on promoting privatization in the water sector and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Oil fires, toxic air and water risks: Environmental cost of Iran war expands to region The bombing of oil facilities in Iran and critical water infrastructure in the Gulf threatens the Middle East with long-lasting environmental destruction, as have similar tactics employed in previous conflicts. Iran
Storm Leonardo displaces 140,000 as heavy floods hit northern Morocco Heavy rains from the storm have flooded northern Morocco, prompting mass evacuations and straining emergency services. Morocco
Analysis Iran’s mismanagement in focus as fires ravage 25-million-year-old forests Prolonged wildfires are raging across Iran's northern Hyrcanian forests, highlighting mismanagement, insufficient resources and climate stress, and forcing volunteers and foreign aid to intervene. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Climate change, rising sea level threaten Egypt’s Alexandria During the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson painted a bleak picture of Egypt’s Alexandria, warning that it could disappear under rising seas. Egypt
Rezoning of Istanbul islands raises concerns of AKP meddling A presidential decree has transferred zoning control of Istanbul’s opposition-run Princes’ Islands to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, raising concerns of anti-democratic practices by Turkey’s ruling party. Turkey
Neglected Egyptian nature reserve home to last pharaonic honey bees Wadi Al-Assiut's 200 hives of bee breeds that stretch back millennia draw attention from researchers for the health benefits of the honey they produce. Egypt
Israel’s Bennett meets Bahraini premier at climate summit For the first time, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met in Glasgow with Bahraini Prime Minister Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Israel
Plight of Iranian environmentalists raised at Glasgow summit An Iranian advocacy group seized the opportunity of the UN climate change conference to highlight the plight of Iranian environmentalists facing pressure and prosecution under the Islamic Republic. Iran
Turkey's Erdogan backs out of Glasgow climate summit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan made the last-minute decision to skip the UN climate summit on Monday, saying British authorities failed to meet his security demands. Turkey
In Glasgow, Israel’s Bennett pledges net zero emissions by 2050 Addressing the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vowed that Israel would reduce greenhouse emissions to net zero by 2050. Israel
Reports: Iraqi fish dying from highly contagious disease Koi Herpesvirus is deadly for carp, which are a staple of Iraqi cuisine. News Brief
Flurry of activity in Israel as Glasgow climate summit approaches Israeli President Isaac Herzog has established the Israeli Climate Forum ahead of the COP 26 summit in Glasgow. Israel
At OECD, Israel joins global battle against climate change Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg and Energy Minister Karin Elharar are both in Paris for the OECD ministerial summit, pledging Israel’s commitment to battle global climate change. Israel
Three Israeli ministers visit Emirates on sidelines of Dubai expo Three Israeli ministers are using the opportunity of the 2020 Dubai Expo to visit the country and meet with their Emirati counterparts. Israel
Cyclone wreaks havoc on Oman The storm caused death and destruction throughout Oman and also hit Iran. News Brief
