MENA Brief June 14: Iran-Israel War, Abu Dhabi Summit, Saudi Football Rise, & More
Tensions spiked as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli air raids that killed senior Iranian military...
Geostrategy
Nations advance ocean protection, vow to defend seabed
UN Ocean Conference wrapped up Friday with world leaders taking major steps toward marine protection and vowing a showdown when...
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Geostrategy
Iran says US travel ban reflects ‘racist mentality’
Tehran, Iran - Tehran denounced on Saturday the US travel ban on Iranians and citizens of 11 other mostly Middle...
- US President Donald Trump signed on Wednesday an executive order reviving sweeping restrictions that echo his first-term travel ban
- An Iranian foreign ministry official said that the ban was discriminatory and would "entail international responsibility for the US government."
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Israel admits to supporting anti-Hamas armed group in Gaza led by Yasser Abu Shabab
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israel is supporting an armed group in Gaza that opposes the militant group Hamas,...
- Israeli and Palestinian media have reported that the group Israel has been working with is part of a local Bedouin tribe led by Yasser Abu Shabab
- The European Council on Foreign Relations (EFCR) think tank describes Abu Shabab as the leader of a "criminal gang operating in the Rafah area
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Israel warns of more Lebanon strikes if Hezbollah not disarmed, Lebanon says truce violated
Thursday's attacks on what the Israeli military said were underground Hezbollah drone factories came after an Israeli evacuation call on...
- Hezbollah sparked months of deadly hostilities by launching cross-border attacks on northern Israel in stated solidarity with Palestinian ally Hamas
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun late on Thursday voiced "firm condemnation of the Israeli aggression" and "flagrant violation of an international accord."
Geostrategy
Russia launches major attack on Ukraine, killing 5
The Ukrainian air force said Russia had fired 206 drones and nine missiles and added that "the air attack was...
- The Kremlin has accelerated its attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, while the latest ceasefire negotiations have failed to broker an end to the three-year war
- The Ukrainian air force said Russia had fired 206 drones and nine missiles and added that the air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops
Geostrategy
Israel army announces 4 soldiers killed in Gaza, thousands more troops needed
News of the soldiers' deaths came as Gaza's civil defence agency reported 38 killed Friday in Israeli attacks across the...
- News of the soldiers' deaths came as Gaza's civil defence agency reported 38 killed Friday in Israeli attacks across the territory
- The deaths bring to 429 the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the start of the ground offensive in late October 2023
Geostrategy
Israel army issues evacuation warning for parts of Gaza City
"This is a final and urgent warning ahead of an impending strike," army spokesman Avichay Adraee said. The army "will strike...
- The evacuation order comes at the beginning of the Eid al-Adha holiday, one of the main religious festivals of the Muslim calendar.
- The Israeli military has recently stepped up its campaign in Gaza in what it says is a renewed push to defeat Hamas.
Geostrategy
France opens ‘complicity in genocide’ probes over blocked Gaza aid
Paris, France -- French anti-terror prosecutors have opened probes into "complicity in genocide" and "incitement to genocide" after French-Israelis allegedly...
- The two investigations, opened after legal complaints, were also to look into possible "complicity in crimes against humanity" between January and May 2024.
- They are the first known probes in France to be looking into alleged violations of international law in Gaza, several sources with knowledge of the cases told AFP.
Geostrategy
Saudi, Egypt, UAE drive strategic moves across sectors and borders
Saudi Arabia records the lowest Hajj attendance in three decades—outside the pandemic years—triggered by tighter visa restrictions; Special Envoy Zhai...
- Saudi Arabia marked World Environment Day 2025. The Kingdom hosted global leaders to spotlight land restoration and desertification.
- The UAE’s EDGE Group landed a $2.45 billion deal with Kuwait to supply offshore patrol vessels.
Geostrategy
US slaps sanctions on four ICC judges over Israel, US cases
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court including over an arrest warrant...
- The four judges in The Hague, all women, will be barred entry to the United States and any property or other interests in the world's largest economy will be blocked
- The court swiftly hit back, saying in a statement: "These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution
Geostrategy
Hamas says ready for ‘serious’ Gaza truce talks, as rescuers say 37 killed
Negotiator Khalil al-Hayya made the declaration in a speech marking the start of Eid al-Adha festivities, typically a joyous date...
- Negotiator Khalil al-Hayya made the declaration in a speech marking the start of Eid al-Adha festivities
- Talks aimed at brokering a new ceasefire have failed to yield a breakthrough since the last brief truce fell apart in March
MENA Brief June 14: Iran-Israel War, Abu Dhabi Summit, Saudi Football Rise, & More
Tensions spiked as Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli air raids that killed senior Iranian military...
Geostrategy
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Israel urges Egypt to block Gaza-bound activist convoys
Israel's defence minister on Wednesday called on Egypt to block two pro-Palestinian activist convoys planning to head to Egypt's Rafah...
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Gaza rescuers say Israel fire near aid centre kills 31
The Gaza civil defence agency said Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting to enter a US-backed food distribution centre...
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Iran says to target US bases if conflict breaks out
"All its bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation we will target all of...
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Tehran readies counter-proposal as Iran-US nuclear talks set to resume Sunday in Muscat
Iran has said it will present a counter-proposal to the latest draft from Washington, which it had criticised for failing...
- It came as European powers and the United States submitted a censure motion to the UN's nuclear watchdog in an effort to ramp up pressure on Iran
- Iran has said it will present a counter-proposal to the latest draft from Washington, which it had criticised for failing to offer sanctions relief
Geostrategy
MENA brief Jun 11: Umrah returns, ADGM surges, Abu Dhabi property market up
China has extended visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—boosting bilateral...
- Mashreq Bank’s debut $500 million sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai under its $2.5 billion program offers a 5.03 % profit yield.
- Nigeria’s planned $5 billion oil‑backed loan with Saudi Aramco is stalled amid falling Brent crude prices and production constraints.
Geostrategy
Israel deports Greta Thunberg after intercepting Gaza-bound aid boat
Tel Aviv, Israel - Campaigner Greta Thunberg arrived home in Sweden late Tuesday, after Israel detained her and other activists aboard...
- Of the 12 activists on board the Madleen, which was carrying food and supplies for Gaza, four including Thunberg agreed to be deported immediately
- The remaining eight were taken into custody after they refused to leave Israel voluntarily, and brought before a detention review tribunal on Tuesday