Turkey's nationalist candidate basks in glory ahead of Erdogan-Kilicdaroglu runoff Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his secularist challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu each plot strategy behind closed doors as nationalist candidate Sinan Ogan ponders whom to support. Turkey
Iraqi Kurdish politician survives assassination attempt Tensions have been high for months between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, though recent dialogue may have calmed the situation. Iraq
Iran hosts Russian navy chief, seeks to boost China triangle Russian and Iranian commanders discussed forming joint committees tasked with deepening cooperation as sanctions-hit Tehran continues to lean on Moscow. Iran
Saudi Arabia increases stake in EA gaming by 55% The PIF held 16.01 million shares in Electronic Arts (EA) before Q4 2022, but after Q1 2023, it held 24.81 million shares. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Meet Italy’s Luigi Di Maio, EU’s first envoy for Gulf region Not everyone in Italy and France is welcoming the nomination of former Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio as the European Union's new envoy to the Gulf region. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
France seeks arrest of Lebanon's Riad Salameh after no-show for corruption probe Riad Salameh, 72 years old, is currently being probed by Lebanese authorities and European countries including Switzerland over alleged money laundering. Lebanon
King Mohammed IV launches Morocco's first hydrogen car The development of the hydrogen-powered vehicle, due to be released in 2025, is a response to the rising global demand for sustainable cars. Morocco
Analysis For Israel, normalization with Saudi Arabia not impossible Israel is cautiously optimistic about US efforts to push Saudi Arabia towards normalization. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Washington ignored warnings on Sudan days before descent into chaos Senate lawmakers called for a new approach after State Department officials led by Africa bureau director Molly Phee repeatedly downplayed warnings that the country’s rival generals were heading for a violent confrontation. Sudan
