World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Turkey's FM heads to Italy amid rising tensions with Greece over EastMed, Libya The top Turkish diplomat is set to meet with his Italian counterpart, as Ankara seeks deeper cooperation with Rome amid a rivalry with Greece and ongoing Libya diplomacy. Turkey
Analysis After setbacks in Syria and Turkish gains in Libya, Russia scrambles to retain Mediterranean sway Moscow faces growing challenges coordinating in Libya and sustaining its regional presence after losing its key Syrian ally and confronting Ankara’s expanding influence. By Anton Mardasov
Turkey resumes flights to Libya's Misrata as Ankara courts Tripoli, Hifter The first direct flight from Istanbul to Misrata since 2015 underscores Turkey’s efforts to maintain good relations with the Tripoli government as well as its eastern-based rival. Turkey
Analysis Turkey’s power play in Libya tests Greece’s red lines By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Mideast migrants face increased discrimination in Italy New Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is taking steps to stop illegal migration to Italy, but critics say his methods are fueling racism against Middle Eastern foreigners. Libya
Italian-French competition over Libya pushing country toward more chaos The French-Italian competition over dominance in Libya is not helping the country; rather, it is further pushing it toward disintegration. Libya
Could Hifter's about-face on control of Libya's oil lead to real progress? Khalifa Hifter’s decision to return control of the oil ports under his authority to the National Oil Corporation, three weeks after seizing them, could be seen as a goodwill gesture that will prompt genuine progress toward an agreement between the two sides. Libya
Pompeo looks to career diplomat for State's No. 3 post Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was expected to recommend the nomination of career diplomat David Hale, currently the US ambassador to Pakistan, to be undersecretary of state for political affairs. Yemen
Hifter may be pushing his luck by manipulating Libya's oil Libya’s Gen. Khalifa Hifter appears to be using his control of oil ports as a political bargaining chip, but his success seems doubtful. Libya
Fight over oil offers opportunity to protect Libya's wealth Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s Libyan National Army forces have retaken Libya's strategic oil crescent region and announced that the rogue Benghazi-based National Oil Corporation will now administer it. Libya
Renewed fight over Libya’s oil threatens entire country The repeated attacks against the country’s main oil lifeline will always be a looming threat as long as no central government is in place with full power over the entire territory of Libya. Libya
Will Libya’s newly signed border security agreement change anything? Libya, Sudan, Chad and Niger signed a security protocol to fight cross-border criminal activities in the Sahel region. Libya
Two-way mistrust hinders Libyan rivals' meeting in Paris The latest meeting between Libya’s rival governing factions produced interesting points that could help the country, but was ultimately disappointing after both sides refused to recognize each other's legitimacy. Libya
Holding elections in fractured Libya puts cart before horse It seems UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame is getting ahead of himself, agreeing to elections before the warring parties reconcile. Libya
Russia eyes deeper economic engagement in Libya Moscow hopes to play a growing role in Libya’s economy, health-care system and educational programs. Libya
Gadhafi supporters arrested during peace talks in Tripoli A group of Gadhafi-regime supporters say they were on a peaceful mission in Libya when they were arrested and accused of planning violent acts to destabilize Tripoli. Libya
