Med & South
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...
Europe rejects US escalation strategy against Iran
Europe on Monday (13 May) urged the US not to further escalate tensions over the Iran nuclear deal, with Britain issuing a stark warning of the risk of conflict erupting "by accident" in the Gulf.
Mogherini puts hopes in China and India to save Iran deal
The European Union will defend the Iran nuclear accord despite Tehran's decision to backtrack on its commitments in response to US sanctions, diplomats believe, but European powers expect it to collapse without a deal to sell Iranian oil to China or India.
Palestinians turn to EU to counter Kushner plan
The Palestinians are asking the European Union to pick up the mantle in defence of the two-state solution if the upcoming US peace plan ditches Palestinian statehood, their UN envoy said Tuesday (7 May).
US deploying carrier, bombers to Middle East to deter Iran
The Trump administration is deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to troubling "indications and warnings" from Iran and to show the United States will retaliate with "unrelenting force" to any attack, national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday (5 May).
Deadly escalation as Israel retaliates over Gaza rockets
Israel carried out waves of retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday (5 May) after Palestinian rockets hit Israeli cities, in a deadly escalation that showed no signs of slowing and raised fears of war.
Mogherini’s tarnished legacy
Paradoxically it was the EU’s closest partner, the United States, that has done most to damage Federica Mogherini's legacy as High Representative with a full-scale assault on the EU’s commitment to multilateralism, writes Fraser Cameron.
EU voices concern as Libya strongman Haftar orders ‘advance’ on Tripoli
Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar ordered his troops Thursday (4 April) to "advance" on Tripoli, seat of the internationally-recognised unity government, as world powers warned of consequences for military action.
UN head ‘shocked’ by suffering at migrant camp in Libya
UN Secretary General António Guterres said Thursday (4 April) he was "shocked" by the level of suffering of migrants at a detention centre in Tripoli which he visited during a visit to the Libyan capital.
Romania to move embassy to Jerusalem, premier Dancila pledges
The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday (25 March) in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president.
Here’s what the Brussels conference can do for Syria’s children
The Brussels III Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the region kicks off today in Brussels. Delphine Moralis explains why education must be top of the agenda.
Local and geopolitics intrude in Israel’s attempt to supply Europe with gas
Israel is moving quickly with the help of the US in a bid to transform Europe’s energy market. But geopolitics – and a large dose of local activism – could change the economic calculation for the EastMed pipeline, writes Joseph Dana.
Migration crisis is ‘over’, says EU chief
Europe’s migration crisis is over, the EU’s migration chief said on Wednesday (6 March), blaming "misinformation, untruths and fake news" for clouding the debate on the issue, which he said could dominate campaigning for the European elections in May.
Trouble ahead as Tunisia eyes elections in autumn
As Tunisians go to the polls later this year to elect a new president and parliament, they are confronted by a confluence of factors that could seriously threaten the viability of their young democracy, writes Dnyanesh Kamat.
‘Respect’ for Luxembourg PM after he challenges Arab leaders on gay rights
Several top European politicians backed Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on Thursday (28 February) after he told Arab leaders he was gay and could be condemned to death in some of their countries.
A divided EU and a divided Arab League put on a fragile show of unity
Neither the EU nor the Arab League really knows where it is going. Yet, divided as they are, both sides also face harsher and more cohesive adversaries: China, Russia and the US, writes Fiasal Al Yafai.
The Brief – Migration deals with despots
Expectations for the EU-Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheik had been downplayed so much that everyone was prepared for the final press conference and communique to be the dampest of damp squibs. Having to deal with despots and dictators must...
‘Ballot box’ to decide if ailing Algeria president gets 5th term
Algeria's prime minister on Monday (25 February) insisted voters would determine if ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika gets a fifth term at the ballot box, after major protests against his candidacy.
Arab League, EU seek synchrony on regional crises in first summit
Arab and European states sought common ground on security threats and regional crises including Yemen, Syria and Libya on Sunday at their first joint summit held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
First Arab-EU summit billed as chance to cooperate in troubled region
European and Arab leaders are to hold their first summit Sunday (24 February), in what the top EU diplomat sees as a chance to boost cooperation across a troubled Mediterranean region.