Israel, Jordan, Saudi join US bombers in show of force to Iran Two US Air Force B-1B bombers dropped munitions at target ranges in Jordan and Saudi Arabia before returning to Europe in the Pentagon's latest regional exercise aimed at deterring Iran. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Saudi FM: China cooperation ‘likely to grow,' but US security ties robust Saudi Arabia is a longstanding partner of the United States but it is rapidly building ties with China, its largest trading partner and biggest purchaser of Saudi oil. Saudi Arabia
Blinken calls Turkey’s FM Hakan Fidan, Sweden’s NATO bid tops agenda US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkey's new Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also touched upon bilateral relations and defense cooperation. Turkey
In first for Turkey, National Security Council addresses Syrian refugee return Turkey’s National Security Council has openly expressed the need for international support for Syrian refugees to return home. Turkey
UK MPs alarmed by report on British colleges helping Iran develop drones British lawmakers demand that the government provide answers about whether international sanctions were breached. Iran
UK introduces $13 online visas for GCC, Jordanian nationals Gulf nationals previously paid £30 ($37.63) per visit to the UK, while Jordanians paid £100 ($125.42) for a visit visa. Gulf
Two Palestinian journalists shot during Israeli operation in West Bank The incident follows a US senator calling on the Biden administration to declassify the report on Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces while covering a raid last year. Palestine
Israel advances EastMed undersea electricity cable connecting with Europe In Paris meetings with international bodies, Energy Minister Israel Katz is promoting Israel's plans for a subsea electricity cable that would connect to other countries in the region and Europe. Israel
MBS holds call with Putin, talks oil prices as Blinken visits Saudi Arabia The IMF projected that Saudi Arabia’s economic growth will slow to 2.1% in 2023 from its 3.1% forecast in May, after the kingdom cut more oil production on Sunday. Saudi Arabia
Blinken urges coalition partners to repatriate Islamic State fighters in Syria At a gathering in Riyadh of the global alliance to defeat IS, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked partners to repatriate their detained citizens and announced new funding for stabilization work in Iraq and Syria. Syria
France arrests 'Syrian asylum seeker' in Annecy stabbing attack French authorities are still investigating whether the attack this morning at a park in the southeastern French town was a terror act or not. Syria
Between Palestinian succession and Hamas, Fatah crisis deepens in West Bank Factions of the embattled party are maneuvering for greater influence even while longtime president Mahmoud Abbas remains in power. Palestine
Lionel Messi confirms move to Inter Miami over Saudi Arabia The Argentine World Cup champion was rumored to be headed to the Saudi club Al Hilal, but has opted to play in the US instead. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s FM Hakan Fidan in call with Sweden as NATO bid progresses Ankara presses for additional steps from Stockholm ahead of next week’s NATO talks between Turkish and Swedish officials for the Nordic state’s accession to the alliance. Turkey
Analysis One year on, Algeria-Spain blockade shows little sign of easing Since Algeria imposed trade sanctions on Spain on June 8, 2022, both economies have lost out on billions of dollars in business. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
