US sells Oman $70 million worth of TOW antitank missiles The Biden administration advanced the sale proposal even as Yemen's Houthis have engaged in peace talks in Saudi Arabia last month. Gulf
Turkey expands crackdown, airstrikes against PKK as Erdogan lashes out at West The Turkish Defense Ministry said 16 new targets, including caves, bunkers and warehouses in the northern Iraqi regions of Metina, Hakurk, Gara, Qandil and Assos, were destroyed in the strikes. Turkey
Azerbaijan eyes Iran, Armenia borderlands after 'voluntary' exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh The fall of the Nagorno-Karabakh government after 30 years could empower Turkey and weaken Iran. Turkey
Egypt's economy hit with downgrades as Sisi seeks third term Egypt continues to reel from high inflation, a weak exchange rate and more. Rare protests occurred in the country following President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s reelection bid announcement. Egypt
Iran's Khamenei calls Arab-Israel normalization push 'betting on losing horse' The Iranian supreme leader's statement hinted at Iran's growing unease with recent Saudi moves toward reconciliation with Israel only months after Riyadh began its rapprochement with Tehran. Iran
Eni, Qatar Energy, TotalEnergies bid for Lebanon offshore gas exploration fields The three energy companies, which are already operating in another block in Lebanese waters in the Eastern Mediterranean, submitted their tenders for offshore exploration in blocks 8 and 10. Lebanon
US top diplomat to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia as normalization talks continue The Israeli press has reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Morocco in mid or late October to advance Israel-Saudi normalization. Israel
UK, Turkey in talks about third railway project The project follows the UK government underwriting financing in July to support the construction of a 286-kilometer high-speed electric railway in southern Turkey. Turkey
Interview 'A lot of work' remains on Saudi-Israel deal, says Abraham Accords adviser In an interview with Al-Monitor, the State Department’s Senior Adviser for Regional Integration Daniel Shapiro said there's no question Israel's normalization with Saudi Arabia would “radiate out” to other countries looking to join the Abraham Accords. Daniel Shapiro US Senior Adviser for Regional Integration
