UN urges ‘free and fair’ elections in Syria post-Assad ouster amid ongoing challenges
Turkey's Foreign Minister warned Syria's new government to address Kurdish militancy, signaling potential intervention if unresolved with tensions rising with...Geostrategy
Nations step up outreach to Syria’s post-Assad rulers
Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria's new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels...Geostrategy Uncategorized
Biden in Saudi Arabia to revive bilateral ties
Joe Biden -- the first US president to fly directly from Israel to Saudi Arabia -- met Saudi King Salman...Biden’s direct flight is the first by an American president from Israel to Saudi Arabia, the last stop of the president's Middle East tour.
Biden met Saudi King Salman before participating in a "working session" headed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Jordan’s minister holds series of meetings with UN officials
Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh held a series of meetings at the High Level Political Forum...The Jordanian minister met with several senior UN officials and presented the country's 2nd Voluntary National Review
The minister briefed the UN officials on social and economic challenges facing the Kingdom
US warns against conflict as Libya appoints new chief for key oil firm
Libya's government replaced the head of the key National Oil Corporation on Thursday in a dramatic move that prompted the...The unity government of Abdulhamid Dbeibah has appointed former central banker Farhat Bengdara to replace NOC head and veteran technocrat Mustafa Sanalla
The US embassy, which is following developments "with deep concern", says that the National Oil Corporation is vital to Libya's "stability and prosperity"
Biden to meet Palestinian leaders in Bethlehem
US President Joe Biden will meet Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in the occupied West Bank Friday, with talks expected to...With Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations moribund since 2014, a US official said the delegation will make some significant announcements
Biden made clear on Thursday he had no plans to reverse the controversial move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital by his predecessor Donald Trump
The Red Sea islands caught between Egypt, Saudi and Israel
As US President Joe Biden visits the Middle East this week, one issue on the table will be the status...The two barren desert islands Tiran and Sanafir are home only to some soldiers of a decades-old multinational peacekeeping force
The islands have been fought over in the past, thanks to their key location at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba
Saudi Arabia-US: A crisis-peppered partnership
On February 14, 1945, the two countries' partnership is sealed during a historic meeting between king Abdel Aziz bin Saud...On February 14, 1945, the two countries' partnership is sealed during a historic meeting between king Abdel Aziz bin Saud and president Franklin D Roosevelt
The 2015 nuclear agreement with rival regional power Iran -- signed by the US and other world powers -- further undermines Riyadh's confidence in the Obama administration
Saudi Arabia opens airspace to ‘all carriers’, including Israeli airlines
Saudi Arabia announced Friday it was lifting restrictions on "all carriers" using its airspace, an apparent gesture of openness towards...The decision was made "to complement the Kingdom's efforts aimed at consolidating its position as a global hub connecting three continents"
Israel has been pushing for the overflight rights to shorten links to destinations in Asia.
How Saudis receive US presidents: A hug for Biden?
King Abdullah greeted Bush warmly at the airport in May 2008, showing no signs of the tensions that had roiled...King Abdullah greeted Bush warmly at the airport in May 2008, showing no signs of the tensions that had roiled their 2002 meeting at Bush's Texas ranch
When Trump came, Saudi rulers lavished the his family with gifts, a sword dance and a fly-past of air force jets
Do signs point to an Israel-Saudi normalisation deal?
Despite the recent signs of a US-Saudi rapprochement, analysts say it is improbable Riyadh will agree to diplomatic ties with...Despite the recent signs of a US-Saudi rapprochement, analysts say it is improbable Riyadh will agree to diplomatic ties with Israel
The king's official policy is that there should be no peace with Israel until it withdraws from occupied territories and accepts Palestinian statehood
Biden holds joint investment talks with UAE, Israel and India
US President Joe Biden held joint investment talks Thursday with Israel, India and the United Arab Emirates, as Washington seeks...The multilateral summit was convened in Jerusalem where Biden is on his first Middle East tour as president.
During the summit the UAE announced it would invest 2 million euros (dollars) in agricultural projects in India.
