Analysis Bennett, Erdogan seek to fill diplomatic vacuum over Ukraine Qatar’s role in Iran diplomacy even more vital with pause in Vienna nuclear talks. By Week in Review
Lebanon seeks alternative wheat sources, bans some food exports amid war in Ukraine Ukraine and Russia provide several Middle Eastern states with wheat, sunflower oil and more. Lebanon
Putin says Moscow ready to use Mideast fighters in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed the idea of sending volunteer fighters to Ukraine, though there are good reasons for Moscow to refrain from bringing them in from Syria and elsewhere. Russia
Abbas strips Palestinian rivals of diplomatic passports Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has taken to revoking the diplomatic passports of his political opponents and granting them to his supporters. Palestine
Israel needs long-term plans to absorb Ukrainian immigration wave Israel’s government has made short-term housing plans for the thousands of Ukrainian and Russian Jews expected to immigrate to Israel, but absorption will be a long and difficult road. Israel
Young Egyptian rescues Arab families trapped in Ukraine Social media outlets were abuzz over the past few days with news about Islam al-Ashiri, an Egyptian man who rescued a number of families stuck in Kyiv following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Egypt
Egypt seeks middle ground between US, Russia as Ukraine fighting rages Cairo remains torn in its position on the Ukraine crisis for compelling financial and other reasons. Egypt
Russian war delays major industrial zone in Egypt A Russian industrial zone in Egypt faces setbacks due to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Egypt
Islamic State mines kill truffle hunters in Syrian desert The country's economic collapse and widespread poverty have driven residents to risk their lives to make a living in the desert near Deir ez-Zor. Syria
Germany’s Scholz behind Israel’s Bennett shuttle diplomacy on Ukraine Associates of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett emphasize that his traveling to Moscow and Berlin and his contacts with all the parties were conducted with the US administration in the picture and with its blessing. Israel
Islamic State names new leader after prior chief's death An audio statement from IS confirmed previous reports that Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi is its new leader, but his real identity and background is not clear. Syria
UAE sticks to OPEC+ production limits The Biden administration is asking Gulf partners to increase production in response to rising oil prices, but so far the cartel is holding to its earlier agreement. United Arab Emirates
