Middle Orient

Relations between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf countries have been on life support for a long time. Ever since an early push for a free trade agreement between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foundered in 2008, few serious efforts have been made to revive the …

There are growing claims and indications that refugees illegally crossing the Iranian-Turkish border, the route of an exodus from Afghanistan to the West, are forced to smuggle drugs by their traffickers. The paths of refugees and drug traffickers have crossed at the porous Iranian-Turkish border, the route of tens of …

Turkey’s foreign minister says he will gather with his Egyptian and Israeli counterparts, possibly with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar accompanying him to Israel. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that he would get together with his Egyptian and Israeli counterparts soon, in line with Turkey’s regional diplomacy efforts. “There are …

The decision by Tel Aviv University to establish academic bridges with three Turkish institutions reflects Jerusalem’s growing interest in Ankara’s policy of rapprochement. Tel Aviv University announced April 26 a new academic collaboration with three Turkish institutions: Koc, Ozyegin and Sabanci. “The purpose of the initiative is to promote academic …

Lavrov said Russia and Bahrain have a common position on Syria’s return to the Arab League, according to al-Watan. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, reiterated on Tuesday the need for a political solution to the crisis in Syria in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015. He declared …

Turkey has promised to root out “terrorists” from Northeast Syria, as part of its military operation in the Northeast, despite U.S. pressure. Has the Turkish operation in Northeast Syria begun? Recent declarations by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who promised to eradicate “terrorism from the Tal Rifaat and Manbij” …

After violence by Jewish nationalists in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem on Sunday, Israel is debating who is an extremist. MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Events over the weekend have prompted a new look in Israel at how it should handle Jewish extremists. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: (Chanting in …

Turkish president says will pause talks, partly over dispute with Greek PM and what Ankara calls airspace violations. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey is halting talks with Greece, partly over a dispute with the Greek prime minister and what Ankara calls airspace violations, marking the latest reversal in …

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Thursday a new offensive threatened by Turkey in northern Syria would create a humanitarian crisis and undermine its campaign against the Islamic State group. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi called on all sides to “prevent any new tragedies and support de-escalation”, warning that …

Complacency has been the hallmark of NATO expansion. Over time, it has even become a form of derision, notably directed against Russia. As with many historical matters, records ignored can be records revisited, the second time around sometimes nastier than the first. With the Ukraine conflict raging, a few of …