Analysis Greece-Turkey ties on upswing as FM set to visit, Cyprus tensions subside Turkey tries to dial down confrontations in the eastern Mediterranean before the Greek minister's visit as part of its push to improve relations with the West. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Nobel Foundation rescinds Iran's invitation to 2023 Prize ceremony Iran was excluded from last year’s ceremonies following the government’s violent crackdown against protesters. Iran
Why are Israel's ex-Shin Bet chiefs urging Biden not to host Netanyahu? Two former directors of the Israeli Shin Bet — Ami Ayalon and Yuval Diskin — call on President Joe Biden to support the Israeli protest movement against the judicial overhaul by not inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Israel
In Russia, Turkey's Erdogan seeks better ties with Putin, but distrust lingers The Turkish president wants to enhance his prestige by brokering a new grain deal but faces an uphill battle, with increasing distrust from Moscow over Ankara's ties with Ukraine, and posture inside NATO. Turkey
Syria: clashes in Damascus countryside with Maher Assad brigade leave 5 dead The residents of Zakia town had been raising anti-regime banners, and a man was killed by local militias affiliated with Maher al-Assad’s Fourth Division this week. Syria
Will Egypt back off from the demolition of Cairo's historic Islamic cemeteries? Egypt’s government has been demolishing ancient tombs for three years as part of a controversial project that tore apart a renowned cemetery in Cairo, even as researchers and activists fight to stop the destruction. Egypt
UAE trade offensive continues, this time with New Zealand deal The UAE is looking to secure its sixth trade agreement of the year as it increases its non-oil trade globally, with intentions to reach $1.09 billion by 2031. United Arab Emirates
US welcomes conviction of Iranian, 4 Iraqis for killing American citizen Stephen Troell, an aid worker in Baghdad, was killed in November when gunmen opened fire on his car. Iraq
Two Moroccan-French tourists killed by Algerian coastguard The tourists had strayed into Algerian waters. The incident could further inflame longstanding tensions between Morocco and Algeria. North Africa
US denies it had 'blocked' AI chip sales to some Middle Eastern countries The US Commerce Department was quick to distance itself from the reports — but it did not directly address imposing license restrictions on certain types of chips. Gulf
Analysis Unprecedented breakdown in Israel-US channels as Netanyahu bars ministers from visiting Washington Under strict orders from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant did not go anywhere near Washington or the Pentagon on his US visit this week. “Such things have never happened,” a senior Israeli security source told Al-Monitor. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
What's driving Gulf interest to join BRICS? Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy