Why diplomacy may be Egypt's only option to halt Ethiopia's Nile dam US officials briefed on the intelligence say Cairo's veiled threats to launch military strikes against the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam are mostly hot air. Sudan
EU hits Iranian officials with sanctions over human rights abuses The eight individuals sanctioned include the head of the Revolutionary Guards and the commander of the Basij forces. Iran
EU-Turkey partnership: Anything but honest The latest visit by top European Union officials to Ankara has shown that the European Union has effectively turned its back to its avowed core principles and values vis-a-vis Erdogan. Turkey
Iran's authorities reopen wounds of 2019 deadly crackdown One and a half years after they crushed the November 2019 protests with an iron fist, Iranian authorities are not just dodging responsibility, but they are also adding insult to injury. Iran
Egypt, Uganda agree to share military intelligence A military intelligence cooperation agreement between Egypt and Uganda comes just days after the failure of the Kinshasa negotiations regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis. Egypt
Lebanon expands maritime territorial claim amid dispute with Israel Last year's talks between Israel and Lebanon on their gas-rich Mediterranean Sea border failed to yield an agreement. News Brief
US denies involvement in attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear site Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on its Natanz nuclear site. Iran
Dubai to import self-driving cars Dubai will be the first international market for the US self-driving vehicle company Cruise. United Arab Emirates
Turkey, US in rare position of unity over Ukraine Russia’s Turkey policy to "drive a wedge between Turkey and its NATO allies" will not likely bear fruit when it comes to Ukraine. Turkey
Egyptian prosecutors blame gross negligence for deadly train collision The March train crash that killed at least 19 people is the latest disaster to strike Egypt's aging rail system. Egypt
Dubai restaurants to stop screening dining areas during Ramadan fast Restaurants in the UAE's largest city previously had to screen off places where people ate during fasting hours during the Islamic holy month, as is customary throughout the region. United Arab Emirates
Northeast Syria imposes 'total lockdown' due to virus The new measures coincide with Ramadan and follow a relatively high number of new COVID-19 cases in the autonomous region. News Brief
Iran hard-liners call for end to Vienna talks after attack on nuclear facility The second attack on a nuclear facility in five months has prompted calls for Iran to quit talks on reviving the nuclear deal. Iran
China looms large in Turkey’s controversial waterway project Turkey is reportedly gearing up to partner with China in the construction of an artificial waterway parallel to the Bosporus, a project with likely implications for Russia and the United States in the Black Sea. Turkey
Egypt, Greece, Cyprus edge closer militarily, but may be risking face-off with Turkey Egypt advances cooperation with Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean despite Turkey’s rapprochement attempts. Egypt
