Med & South
Iranian tanker at centre of standoff with West leaves Gibraltar
The Iranian tanker caught in a standoff between Tehran and the West left Gibraltar on Sunday night, shipping data showed, hours after the British territory rejected a US request to detain the vessel further.
Spain makes new offer to migrant rescue boat off coast of Italy
Spain on Sunday (18 August) offered to allow a charity boat situated off the coast of Italy with more than 100 people on board to dock at the nearest Spanish port after the Open Arms charity rejected a plan to dock in Algeciras because it was too far away.
Six EU countries ready to take in migrants stranded off Italy
A 'coalition of the willing' of six EU member states have agreed to take some of the 147 migrants stranded on a rescue ship near the Italian island of Lampedusa, Rome announced Thursday (15 August), amid an immigration row between Italy's interior minister and premier.
Gibraltar decides to free seized Iranian tanker, US threatens sanctions on crew
Britain's Mediterranean territory Gibraltar decided on Thursday (15 August) to free a seized Iranian oil tanker, but did not immediately indicate when or if the ship would set sail after the United States launched a new, last-minute legal bid to hold it.
Greece calls on EU for fairer distribution of migrants
Greece on Monday (12 August) called on the EU for a fairer sharing of the migrant burden amid deep concern over a sharp increase in arrivals on some islands in recent weeks.
EU border force Frontex accused of allowing abuse of migrants
The EU's border force Frontex has allegedly been turning a blind eye to ill treatment of refugees by guards at EU external borders, according to media reports on Monday (5 August).
Italy’s government wins confidence vote on decree targeting migrant rescue ships
The Italian government on Monday (5 August) won a confidence vote in the Senate on a decree targeting charities operating migrant rescue ships, in a victory for Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and his far-right League party.
Macron pushes Libya ceasefire with Egypt leader
France's President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about the situation in Libya calling for a ceasefire "very soon" between the warring sides, the French presidency said on Sunday (4 August).
Germany ‘very sceptical’ about US mission for Strait of Hormuz
Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday (31 July) he was very sceptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz.
France, Italy, Denmark back European-led naval mission for Hormuz
France, Italy and Denmark gave initial support for a British plan for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, proposed after Iran’s seizure of a British-flagged tanker, three senior EU diplomats said on Tuesday (23 July).
Britain calls for European naval mission to counter Iran’s ‘piracy’
Britain called on Monday (22 July) for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, days after Iran seized a British-flagged tanker in what London described as an act of “state piracy” in the strategic waterway.
SOS Méditerranée relaunches migrant rescue missions off Libya
Humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée said Sunday (21 July) it has relaunched rescue efforts off Libya seven months after it abandoned operations using its ship Aquarius and despite a refusal by European ports to accept the migrants.
Britain weighs response to Iran Gulf crisis with few good options
Britain was weighing its next moves in the Gulf tanker crisis on Sunday (21 July), with few good options apparent as a recording emerged showing that the Iranian military defied a British warship when it boarded and seized a ship three days ago.
Israel prepares to demolish homes on Jerusalem outskirts, stoking Palestinian fears
Israeli forces began preparations to demolish homes near a military barrier on the outskirts of Jerusalem under the cover of darkness on Monday (22 July), in the face of Palestinian protests and international criticism. Bulldozers accompanied by hundreds of Israeli...
German arms exports to Ankara continue despite escalating Greek-Turkish crisis
Tensions have escalated between Turkey and two EU member states – Greece and Cyprus. But that hasn't stopped another EU country, Germany, to continue exporting arms to Ankara, according to official government data.
Minister: EU-Morocco pact is about having relationship we both deserve
A week after the EU and Morocco launched plans for an ambitious new trade and political deal at the Morocco-EU Association Council, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita explained in an exclusive interview how his country wants to build its relationship with the EU.
Europe’s invisible new border
The EU has quietly outsourced migration control to countries in North Africa and the Sahel. But the human cost is high, and many migrants still remain determined to reach Europe.
Morocco moves closer to ‘privileged’ partnership with EU
Morocco has moved closer to its goal of obtaining a ‘privileged relationship with the EU’ following successful talks between foreign minister Nasser Bourita and the EU’s foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini.
EU needs new approach to ensure Mediterranean Sea security
Threats in the wider Mediterranean region and ongoing tensions between Rome and Paris are threatening Italy's geostrategic role in European and global defence in the region, experts have said in a report, also warning that climate change could further destabilise the region.
Iran-US tensions dominate two Central Asia summits
Two regional summits held in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan last week had a common denominator: the support from Russia and China to Iran in the face of US threats after two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
Trump’s sanctions are working and will prevent war with Iran
The attack of two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman yesterday (13 June), which were widely attributed to Iran, shows Tehran is engaged in a series of missteps that will land it further in financial pain rather than war, writes Hagar Hajjar Chemali.
Trump’s son-in law and Middle East adviser Kushner meets EU leaders
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East peace adviser Jared Kushner met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Brussels on Tuesday (4 June).
The US isn’t protecting oil supplies from the Middle East, it wants to control prices as foreign policy
America’s extensive use of military and economic coercion in the Middle East and other oil-producing countries around the world reflects the US’s new position as an exporter of oil and liquefied natural gas, argues Robin Mills. Robin Mills is the...