About: Middle East
Mideast heads for policy revamp under Biden
Contrary to Donald Trump's impulsive policies in the Middle East, Joe Biden is expected to shift back to a more conventional US stance and re-engage with Iran, redrawing regional geopolitics.
EU lawmakers slam Trump’s Middle East peace plan
A majority of EU lawmakers harshly criticised Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan during a plenary session on Tuesday (11 February), denouncing it as going against international law and being biased in favour of Israel.
‘Geopolitical’ Europe could struggle to take shape in troublesome 2020
Among the many foreign policy challenges facing the EU in 2020, the main theme will be how to assert itself on the world stage against China, the US and Russia, while upholding multilateralism and at least a semblance of global order.
Luxembourg urges EU debate on Palestine recognition
Luxembourg on Monday (9 December) asked for an EU-level debate on recognising Palestinian statehood, securing a promise that EU foreign ministers would "deeply discuss" the Middle East in January.
Erdogan accuses the West of ‘standing by terrorists’ in Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday (21 October) lashed out at Western states, accusing them of "standing by terrorists" in failing to support Turkey's operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters.
Turkey pushes offensive in Syria, while Russia moves in where US moved out
Turkey vowed to press ahead with its offensive in northern Syria on Tuesday (15 October) despite US sanctions and growing calls for it to stop, while Syria's Russia-backed army moved on the key city of Manbij that was abandoned by US forces.
Pompeo meets EU’s top diplomat after Pence’s Iran accusations
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the EU's top diplomat in Brussels on Friday (15 February), a day after Vice President Mike Pence accused America's traditional European allies of trying to undermine U.S. sanctions against Iran.
Europeans open new trade channel to Iran, bypassing US sanctions
Britain, France and Germany on Thursday (31 January) launched a trade mechanism to bypass US sanctions on Iran, drawing praise from Tehran – and a warning from Washington.
Austrian Chancellor: Europe needs to understand Israel’s security needs
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz gave prominence to interesting issues during his recent visit to Jerusalem and emphasised the security needs of the Israelis. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Tusk: With friends like Trump, who needs enemies
The European Union's top official launched a stinging attack Wednesday (16 May) on President Donald Trump, slamming his "capricious assertiveness" and saying the US leader acted more like an enemy than a friend.
Trump slaps Europe in the face with Iran deal pull-out
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw from the landmark deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany who signed the agreement published a joint statement, saying they will continue to stick by it.
A school for refugees in Lebanon
Kawkab School stands in the middle of the narrow streets of Beddawi refugee camp, in North Lebanon. A safe haven for children who dream of a better life. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Abbas to ask EU to recognise Palestinian state: minister
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas will ask the EU to officially recognise the state of Palestine when he meets foreign ministers from the bloc today (22 January), a senior official told AFP on Sunday.
Netanyahu makes appearance at EU foreign affairs meeting
Today’s (11 December) Foreign Affairs Council begins with a discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against the background of the decision of US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalm as the capital of Israel.
Trans-Europe Express: Erdogan is bad for everyone
He never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. So went the Abba Eban-penned 1973 slogan used to describe the late PLO chief, Yasser Arafat, who was routinely blamed for failing to secure peace with Israel.
Saudi and allies cut Qatar ties in diplomatic crisis
Saudi Arabia and several of its allies yesterday (5 June) cut relations with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremism, in the biggest diplomatic crisis to have hit the region in years. Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the...
NATO plans ‘feel-good meeting’ to impress Trump
Ribbon-cutting, jets overhead and a dinner in a new, billion-dollar headquarters: Donald Trump's first meeting at NATO on Thursday (24 May) is being choreographed to impress a US president who called the Western alliance "obsolete"
Debunking the myth of a ‘no-go zone’ in Malmö
Few European cities are as disparaged for their multicultural makeup as much as Malmö. With over 20% of its residents estimated to be Muslim, Malmö is an ideal whipping boy for populists. The reality is something else. EURACTIV's media partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.
Trans-Europe Express: Playing the proxy, St. Petersburg and the Syrian chemical attack
At first, the Russian approach was to admit to everything. Well, almost. Following the first reports of the Syrian chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun on Tuesday, the defence ministry appeared almost too willing to confirm what happened.
EU unveils Syria reconstruction plan
The EU unveiled an ambitious plan Tuesday (14 March) to support the reconstruction of war-torn Syria, calling it a "dividend" to encourage warring parties to reach a peace deal.
International arms trade shoots up to highest level since end of Cold War
Global arms deals have reached their highest level since the end of the Cold War, according to one study. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Commission threatens to sue countries that don’t take refugees
The EU warned today (8 February) that it will consider punishing member states next month if they fail to share the burden of asylum seekers stranded in Greece and Italy.
Israeli PM concerned about UN moves after planned Paris conference
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday (3 January) he hoped to stave off any possible moves at the UN Security Council against his government's policies following a Paris conference scheduled for later this month on Middle East peace.