Archives for February, 2022

Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (C), hosts a summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum dominated by the Ukraine showdown

Gas prices 'in God's hands', producers warn as Ukraine crisis sparks surge

Agence France-Presse

AFP via Getty Images

US defense contractor to set up surveillance center in UAE

The Tawazun Economic Council signed a term sheet with L3Harris Technologies at a drone and robotics fair in Abu Dhabi.

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images

Raisi says Iran's gas production strong despite US sanctions

Iran's president declared that US sanctions have failed to put a brake on his country's lucrative natural gas production.

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan calls Russia's recognition of Ukrainian breakaways 'unacceptable'

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who cut short his visit to Africa after Russia recognizes two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, expresses support for Zelenskyy’s proposal for summit.

(L to R) Mohamed Hamel, Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit, Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, and Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek el-Molla give a joint press conference during the GECF summit in Qatar's capital Doha on Feb. 22, 2022.

Breaking | Last Updated: February 23, 2022, 8:57 am

Demand for natural gas up more than 20% in past decade

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum is convening in Qatar amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which could have a major effect on Europe’s energy supply.

MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images

US Navy turns to sea drones in MidEast

The US Navy is turning to unmanned tech to help regional states monitor the waters of the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.

Israel Morocco

Analysis

Israel hopes to triple trade with Morocco

Israel and Morocco have signed a trade and investment cooperation agreement, with Israel aspiring to enlarge its annual trade volume with Morocco from $131 million to $500 million.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Bennett Lapid

Analysis

Israel slams possible Iran nuclear deal without criticizing US

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warns of the emerging Vienna agreement on Iran, but observers say Israel has little or no leverage to change it.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Herzog and Zelensky review honor guard

Israel straddles ties with US, Russia over Ukraine

Israel has made it clear that if it is forced to pick sides between the United States and Russia, it will have to pick the Americans.

A picture shows the Supreme Judicial Council building in Iraq's Baghdad on Dec. 27, 2021.

Iraqi judges in crosshairs of drug dealers with powerful connections

Iraq has seen systematic assassinations of judges since 2003, most of whom were handling investigations into drugs and corruption cases involving influential figures and parties.

GERD ceremony

Egypt reacts as Ethiopia switches on first Nile dam turbine

Cairo continues to call on Addis Ababa to end its unilateral measures when it comes to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

KRG Prime Minister Barham Salih speaks at a Kurdistan-Iraq Oil and Gas Forum in Erbil, Nov. 13, 2011.

Erdogan not giving up on gas from Iraqi Kurdistan

Erdogan appears bent on advancing energy deals with Iraqi Kurdistan, even as a gas project remains bogged down by legal, technical and financial snags.

A scene from the film "Bashtaalak Sa'at" ("Shall I Compare You to a Summer's Day?").

Egyptians outraged over movie depicting gay couple

An Egyptian-German-Lebanese-produced movie recently screened at the 72nd Berlin Film Festival has sparked outcry in Egypt for depicting homosexuality.

A visual representation of the digital cryptocurrency bitcoin, at the Bitcoin Change shop.

Lebanese turn to cryptocurrency as economy tanks

Lebanon is bursting with crypto mining shops, traders and online mentors to fulfill the surging demand from people desperately looking to gain financial freedom and much-needed US dollars.

Internally displaced Syrians pictured in front of tents, before they became resident at a new housing complex in the opposition-held area of Bizaah, in the northern Aleppo governorate

In Turkish-funded Syria camps, tents give way to homes

Agence France-Presse

Gal Godot appears in a scene from "Death on the Nile"

Controversy in Egypt over film starring ex-IDF soldier Gal Gadot

Controversy prevailed in Egypt and Arab countries over the film "Death on the Nile" starring Gal Gadot.

Culture & Society