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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
How solar power has become a lifeline in Lebanon Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Morocco earthquake reconstruction to test government’s speed of execution Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Achieving consensus at COP28 will be test of UAE’s diplomatic skills Kate Dourian In Dubai, reporting on energy
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. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
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. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
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. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on Middle East business, climate change, AI, tech
'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. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Turkey’s annual inflation exceeds 61% in September Month-on-month consumer prices slightly eased to 4.75% in September, down from 9.09% in August. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO