Why an Israeli hostage negotiator cut contact with Hamas Gershon Baskin, who helped negotiate the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011, says his contacts in Hamas have no influence over the fate of the Israeli hostage. Israel
Gaza war tests Arab Gulf influence as GCC tries to avert regional escalation Although the UAE and Bahrain have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia was considering such a move, Arab states in the region have their own reasons to be cautious. Gulf
Why is bin Laden’s ‘letter to America’ trending during Gaza war? The controversial 2002 letter explains the al-Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind’s reasons for attacking the United States. Gulf
Turkey postpones vote on Sweden’s NATO bid as lawmakers raise F-16 sale The postponement is believed to have linked Ankara’s approval of Stockholm's entry into NATO to progress on its own bid to buy new F-16 fighter jets from the United States. Turkey
Analysis US, French, Irish diplomats flock to Middle East with focus on Gaza aid EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and senior American officials are visiting Israel and the region in a bid to advance humanitarian aid for Gaza. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt pushes privatization, sells tobacco company stake to UAE buyer The Egyptian government agreed last year to privatize state assets, boost exports and increase foreign direct investment in exchange for a $3 billion loan from the IMF. Egypt
Russia and China big participants at Dubai Airshow At this year's event, the UAE is balancing friendly relations with the United States as well as with China and Russia, including via the BRICS alliance. Gulf
Egypt’s Ramses II collection opens in Australia, biggest in 200 years The traveling exhibition "Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs" goes Down Under after stops in the United States and Paris to promote Egyptian tourism. Egypt
Turkey accused of double standard as Armenian journalist's killer walks free Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink's murderer walked free in Turkey Wednesday while the government's critics pointed aghast to political prisoners held years beyond the court's authority to keep them. Turkey
