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
Pentagon watching closely Wagner’s Mideast posture as questions surround its future In an excerpt from this week's Security Briefing, Pentagon correspondent Jared Szuba looks at what's next for Wagner's forces in the Middle East and North Africa following the private military company's short-lived mutiny in Russia. Syria
What's next for Wagner in Syria, Africa after Putin mutiny? Yevgeny Prigozhin's mercenary army usually acted as an unofficial extension of Russian foreign policy, but many questions have arisen following last week's aborted revolt. Syria
Wagner base in eastern Libya hit by ‘unknown’ drone strike The strike comes as Russia steps up its campaign against the Wagner group in the countries where it is active following last week’s failed mutiny against President Vladimir Putin. Libya
Qatar dominates fragmented Middle East LNG growth amid global competition Qatar LNG could be as much as 70% of MENA LNG exports by 2025, increasing thereafter. Gerald Kepes In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends
Libyan police detain 50 Chinese nationals in crypto farm bust Media from the Tripoli Attorney General Office’s Facebook page show a dingy-looking, windowless room full of hardware, wires and servers being raided by authorities. Libya
Why is Libya’s Hannibal Gadhafi on hunger strike in Lebanon? Hannibal Gadhafi’s health began to deteriorate after he began a hunger strike to protest his detention without trial in 2015. Meanwhile, an Amnesty International report warns of poor conditions in Lebanese prisons. Lebanon
Russia’s Tatneft makes new oil discovery in Libya Russia and the controversial military contractor Wagner Group have longstanding interests in Libya’s oil, but instability has hurt the ability of Russian oil companies to operate in the North African country. Libya
Biden admin 'actively' working to reopen US Embassy in Libya The US has lacked a permanent diplomatic mission in Libya since heavy fighting forced American diplomats to withdraw in 2014. Libya
OPEC+ likely to maintain oil output at meeting, in gesture to US While the OPEC+ group is expected to maintain oil production at its virtual meeting set for Feb. 1, global demand for oil is estimated to reach a record high in 2023. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey's intel chief visits Libya following trip by CIA head Turkey’s intelligence chief Hakan Fidan paid a visit to Libya only days after his American counterpart, William Burns, traveled to the conflict-torn country. Turkey
Explainer: Interpol nabs alleged Libya-based trafficker The UAE assisted in the task force to arrest Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam, who allegedly extorted migrants through a camp in Libya. The North African country is a major embarking point for irregular sea voyages to Europe. Legacy: Gulf
Libya court sentences 17 Islamic State members to death The Tripoli court found them guilty of joining the group and killing 53 people. Libya
