EU-Mideast ties

Illustration picture taken during the Eurosatory Defense and Security fair in Paris, France ,on June 15, 2026.

Analysis

Why Gulf defense firms are betting on Europe in wake of Iran war

In less than a week, the UAE's Edge Group has unveiled a string of major defense announcements in Europe.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A picture taken on June 5, 2017, shows a man walking past the Qatar National Bank branch in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Gulf investment to turn inward to rebuild postwar infrastructure: QNB

Charles-Emmanuel de Beauregard, Qatar National Bank’s head of corporate and institutional banking, said that the Gulf countries will need to rebuild their logistics capabilities after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides (2nd L) and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron (C) review the honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on April 23, 2026, ahead of a meeting on the sidelines of a European summit.

Explainer

Turkey slams France-Cyprus military pact as East Med rivalries deepen

Ankara says a defense deal between France and the Republic of Cyprus risks upsetting the island’s delicate balance, as defense ties among Cyprus, Greece, Israel and France deepen.

France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech after receiving the Pic du Midi nomination file for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List from officials of the Occitanie region at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Thomas Padilla / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Macron meets Tom Barrack as France seeks larger role in Lebanon

As Israel and Lebanon move toward a ceasefire agreement, France is seeking to play a role through two initiatives: strengthening the Lebanese army and establishing a new international force.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Analysis

Will Pashinyan’s victory in Armenia be enough to unlock peace with Turkey, Azerbaijan?

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sept. 24, 2024.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Ireland bans hard-line Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir, Smotrich: What to know

Israeli policemen surround Israeli Minister of National Security and far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir as he arrives outside the Damascus Gate of the walled Old City of Jerusalem on May 26, 2025, during a flag march for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the Israeli army's 1967 capture of the city's eastern sector during the Arab-Israeli war.

Turkey maritime law prompts Greek rethink on Aegean marine parks

This photograph shows Kimom, the first of four modern French Defense and Intervention Frigate, part of Greece's major military modernization program, sailing upon its arrival in the Saronic Gulf, near Athens on Jan. 15, 2026.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) poses with European Council President Donald Tusk (R) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (L) in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir - RTX37KFD

Turkey-EU tensions spill over to customs union accord

Amid mounting bilateral tensions, Germany has ruled out talks on improving Turkey’s customs union accord with the European Union, but such sanctions might have little effect on Ankara in the short term.

The EU, headed by France and Germany, could replace US on Mideast

With US President Donald Trump largely working solo on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the EU is preparing its own initiative, which might be launched next fall.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) shakes hands with European Council President Donald Tusk before a meeting at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Olivier Hoslet/Pool - RTX37KKO

Turkey, EU can't seem to walk away from each other

The fact that Turkey sits on the most strategic real estate in the world ensures that the EU can’t put its ties with Ankara at risk, regardless of objections to Turkey's politics.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to greet European Council President Donald Tusk (not pictured) before a meeting at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Olivier Hoslet/Pool - RTX37KO8

New clashes likely between Turkey, Europe

Controversy follows Turkey's president wherever he goes. Next stop: Europe.

What are European Union’s plans if Trump fails on Mideast peace?

If US President Donald Trump fails to advance his Middle East conference initiative, the European Union will advance its own initiative for a third Paris conference.

Turkey's diplomatic relations with Europe take a nosedive

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fast ending the European dream following a weekend of serious disputes with the Dutch government over a pro-referendum rally in Rotterdam by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The real reason behind thaw in EU-Egypt tensions

Throughout 2016, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hosted high-level delegations from at least 17 European states including Germany, France and Britain, reflecting a notable improvement in Egyptian-European relations.

Palestinian employees of the former Hamas government queue up outside a post office in Gaza City on October 29, 2014 to receive 1,200 US dollars each, which is part of their wages that has been delayed for months. The Palestinian national unity government headed by prime minister Rami Hamdallah sent the previous day roughly 30 million dollars by car across the Erez border crossing from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip to pay 24,000 former employees. AFP PHOTO / MAHMUD HAMS (Photo credit should read MA

What EU shift in financial support policy means for Gaza

The European Union contribution of 30 million euros to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority civil servants in the Gaza Strip will be used to support families in need, which has angered Palestinians.

The EU giveth, Israel taketh away in West Bank

The European Union keeps funding projects in the West Bank's Area C, and Israel keeps demolishing them.

Controversy flares over opening of EU office in Iran

Iran's Foreign Ministry has sparked confusion in sending mixed signals about the government's position on opening an EU office in Tehran.