Blinken meets with Saudi Arabia's MBS, US cites 'convergence' on issues US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Al-Monitor that he and the crown prince discussed "a lot" during their meeting. Saudi Arabia
Deciphering Turkey’s new cabinet: Real reform or window dressing? President Erdogan's new Cabinet so far reflects a shift to his reformist days — whether that plays out as such remains to be seen. Turkey
Canada’s arms exports boom to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar Some 92% of Saudi Arabia's purchases were armored combat vehicles with most of the shipments coming from a $15 billion contract reached in 2014 but only approved for export by Canada’s current government. Saudi Arabia
Iran unveils first hypersonic missile 'Fattah,' says no system can intercept it Boastfully adding to its already massive stockpile of long-range projectiles, Tehran appeared headed for a fresh collision course with Israel and its Western adversaries, which remain unnerved by Iran's missile program. Iran
US sanctions target Iran's ballistic missile ties with China The latest barrage of US economic sanctions came just hours after Iran unveiled what it claimed to be its first hypersonic missile. Iran
Saudi-backed LIV Golf merges with US rival PGA Tour The shocking news settles the legal battles between the two and follows significant tensions surrounding the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s foray into golf. Saudi Arabia
Israeli parliament speaker Amir Ohana pays first visit to Morocco As the son of Moroccan-born parents, Knesset speaker Amir Ohana is especially moved to visit his family's homeland. Israel
Turkey names Gaye Erkan as first female Central Bank governor The choice of the US-based banking and finance executive, along with Mehmet Simsek as new finance and treasury minister, is aiming at reassuring international markets. Turkey
Analysis Venezuela's Maduro visit to Saudi Arabia is another signal to US Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Relations Yvan Gil said Monday that cooperation projects in oil and gas, petrochemicals and infrastructure were addressed in Jeddah. By Salim A. Essaid
Middle East airlines expected to rebound from pandemic by 2024: IATA The industry body, which represents some 300 airlines, expects air traffic to double in the Middle East to 550 million annual passengers by 2040. Saudi Arabia
Meet Lebanon's Jihad Azour, Christian opposition candidate for president After months of deadlock, Lebanon’s main Christian parties and opposition converged on the name of Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia office and a former finance minister, as their preferential candidate for the presidency. Lebanon
Analysis Israel undecided on Saudi Arabia's demand for civil nuclear technology Israel’s security establishment is categorically opposed to the possibility of Saudi Arabia obtaining civil nuclear capabilities, but the political echelon in Israel has not made up its mind yet. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
