UAE discusses temporary Gaza governance with US, Israel, seeks two-state solution assurance: report
Discussions led by the UAE include provisional administration, PA leadership overhaul, and Gaza reconstruction, requiring extensive international cooperation and adherence...Geostrategy
Syria Foreign Minister in Saudi Arabia, hopes the visit opens ‘new, bright page’
Last week, in an interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television, Sharaa said Saudi Arabia "will certainly have a large role...Geostrategy
China warns US will ‘pay the price’ if Pelosi visits Taiwan
China said Tuesday that the United States will "pay the price" if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan during her...China considers Taiwan its territory and has indicated through repeated warnings that it would view a Pelosi visit as a major provocation
American officials often make discreet visits to Taiwan to show support, but Pelosi would be a higher-profile visitor than any in recent history
Iraq tensions soar as protesters rally against parliament occupation
Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad Monday in counter-protests as rival supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada...Sadr's supporters on Saturday breached the normally high-security Green Zone also home to government buildings and embassies
In multi-confessional and multi-ethnic Iraq, government formation has involved complex negotiations since a 2003 US-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein
A year on, Iran’s Raisi faces economy in trouble
Having pledged to help especially the poor, the ultraconservative cleric now faces runaway consumer prices that have sparked protests.Having pledged to help especially the poor, the ultraconservative cleric now faces runaway consumer prices that have sparked protests
Raisi was elected in June last year in a ballot for which less than half of voters turned up, after his major rivals had been disqualified by electoral bodies
Iran sees way out of nuclear talks deadlock after fresh EU proposal
Iran said Monday it remains "optimistic" about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal after the European Union tabled...Josep Borrell submitted a new draft text and urged the different sides to accept it or "risk a dangerous nuclear crisis"
Qatar hosted indirect talks between US and Iran in a bid to get the Vienna process back on track but the discussion broke up after two days without any breakthrough
US kills Al-Qaeda chief in Kabul drone strike
President Joe Biden announced Monday that the United States had killed Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, one of the world's most...A senior administration official said Zawahiri was on the balcony of a house in Kabul when he was targeted with two Hellfire missiles
It was the first known over-the-horizon strike by the United States on an Al-Qaeda target in Afghanistan since American forces withdrew from the country on August 31, 2021
Here’s why Saudi Arabia is buying more Russian oil
The Kingdom has for several years imported Russian oil, which helps to reduce its need to refine crude for products...The Kingdom’s crude imports from Russia allow it to free up its own oil for export to reap profits from the record-high prices in the global market, Pat Thaker of EIU tells TRENDS
Saudi Arabia, the latest data suggest, imported 647,000 tonnes, or 48,000 barrels per day (bpd), of fuel oil from Russia via Russian and Estonian ports in April-June this year
Counter protests in Iraq as pro Sadr protestors occupy Parliament
On Monday afternoon, large numbers of security forces set up roadblocks in a bid to contain the counter-protests.A political standoff, almost 10 months after Iraqis went to the polls, pits two key factions among country's majority Shiite population.
Sadr's supporters on Saturday breached the normally high-security Green Zone -- also home to government buildings and embassies.
Focus on OPEC+ in Wednesday meet as crude prices surge
The 13 core members of OPEC find themselves at a crossroads. After the drastic output cuts they agreed to in...According to the London-based research institute Energy Aspects, OPEC+ could adjust its current agreement in order to keep raising crude production volumes.
Any decision on Wednesday will have to be unanimous, which may lead to a longer meeting than normal.
Iran says ‘optimistic’ after European Union proposal for nuclear deal
Iran said Monday it remains "optimistic" about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal after the European Union tabled...The comment comes after EU foreign policy chief and coordinator of the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, Josep Borrell, last Tuesday submitted a new draft text.
Negotiations in Vienna began in April 2021 to restore the deal, but have stalled since March amid differences between Tehran and Washington on several issues.
American envoy hopeful on Lebanon-Israel maritime border talks
"I remain optimistic that we can make continuous progress as we have over the last several weeks and I look...The dispute between the neighbours escalated in early June, after Israel moved a production vessel near the Karish offshore field, which is partly claimed by Lebanon.
Lebanon initially demanded 860 square km of territory in the disputed maritime area but then asked for an additional 1,430 square km, including part of the Karish field.
