EU-Mideast ties

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese border village of Khiam on Nov. 20, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Analysis

Israel seeking US security guarantees to clinch Lebanon deal: What we know

As cease-fire talks advance with Lebanon, Israel might agree to a letter from the US that would guarantee its ability to retaliate to violations by Hezbollah to 1701 framework.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

The Gulf states are supporting the EU's Operation Aspides to counter the Houthi threat in the Red Sea region, as both seek greater cooperation on maritime security, said Luigi di Maio.

Luigi di Maio

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron embark on an aircraft at the airport of Sale, north of Rabat, on Oct. 30, 2024.

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

The latest trip of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat was the last straw in the already shaky relations between Paris and Algiers.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

JEROEN JUMELET/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Dutch, French leaders denounce attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam

Hundreds of rioters chased and attacked Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam for the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax match.

Latest News

Can France help address Israel's conditions for Lebanon cease-fire deal?

France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (2-R) speaks to members of his delegation as he visits the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem's Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Nov. 7, 2024.

Turkey's Erdogan, Cyprus president hold rare chat as Fidan heads to Athens

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives for the European Political Community summit at Puskas Arena on Nov. 7, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary.

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French FM to visit Israel as Paris, Washington work on Lebanon deal

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (C) visits the Nova festival memorial.

Analysis

In Morocco, France's Macron dangles Western Sahara concessions to mend ties

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A Saudi navy ship is pictured docked at King Faisal navy base in Jeddah before the departure of a team to Port Sudan to help with the evacuation efforts of people fleeing Sudan, on April 29, 2023. - Warplanes on bombing raids drew heavy anti-aircraft fire over Khartoum as fierce fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries entered a third week, despite a renewed truce. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Saudi naval ambitions get a boost after joint Greece, France exercise

The kingdom is modernizing its navy under Vision 2030, replacing outdated vessels while seeking to diversify its military partnerships beyond traditional US reliance — but operational gaps remain.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

France s President Emmanuel Macron receives Lebanon s Prime Minister Najib MIKATI before their bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France on October 23, 2024. Context of war between Lebanon and Israel, extension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, solidarity with lebanese people, the two men shake hands on the stoop at the top of the steps and look towards the photographers. (Photo by Amaury Cornu / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by AMAURY CORNU/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Mikati says Lebanon ready to deploy 8,000 troops to border if Israel cease-fire reached

The announcement came during an aid conference organized by France to support Lebanon and its civilian population affected by the ongoing Israeli war.

France s President Emmanuel Macron receives Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati before their bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Oct. 23, 2024.

France seeks 3 objectives at Lebanon conference in Paris, aims to raise $400M

The Lebanon conference set to take place in Paris on Thursday will focus on raising financial aid and rallying the international community behind efforts for a cease-fire.

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission building in Brussels on April 12, 2024.

Turkey: Support for EU on rise as trust of US, China, Russia remains low

A recent survey reveals an increase in favorability for the EU and NATO in Turkey, while perceptions of the United States, China and Russia continue to falter.

View taken on Oct. 27, 2008, of the Israel Aerospace Industries booth at the world's leading trade show for naval and maritime safety, in Le Bourget, north of Paris.

France again bans Israeli firms from defense fair, deepening diplomatic rift

In another sign of deteriorating bilateral relations between Israel and France, Israeli companies will be prevented from featuring their products at the international maritime exposition Euronaval in Paris in November.

UNIFIL-armored vehicles patrol at the entrance of the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura near the border with Israel, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters, June 17, 2024.

EU foreign affairs chief Borrell condemns Israel over UNIFIL incident

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell demanded that Israel explain Friday’s incident, where a post of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon was damaged and two soldiers injured.

Lieutenant General Lucas Schreurs of the Netherlands assumes command of the NATO Mission to Iraq (NMI) in Baghdad, May 24, 2024.

Interview

NATO deepens engagement with Iraq as US prepares to withdraw

In an exclusive Al-Monitor interview, Lucas Schreurs, commander of NATO Mission Iraq, explains the scope of his outfit's mandate.

Commander of NATO Mission Iraq

Commander of NATO Mission Iraq

Lucas Schreurs

A sign about the heightened level of the counterterrorism response is seen outside HMS Duncan while docked at the Port of Limassol on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on Oct. 2, 2024.

Cyprus arrests eight Syrians accused of funding terror group: What we know

The arrests come as more Syrians arrive in Cyprus, fleeing the conflicts in Lebanon and Syria.

JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images

Son of Osama bin Laden deported, banned from France: What we know

French authorities have deported Omar bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, and banned him from returning to the country.

Macron

Analysis

What is extent of France-Israel rift as Macron calls for arms embargo?

Israel and France are not yet in a diplomatic crisis, but the exchange of accusations between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu does not bode well for bilateral relations.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A man checks the destruction following an overnight Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of Shebaa near along the border between the two countries, on Sept. 27, 2024.

Netanyahu softens position, says Israel discussing US-France cease-fire plan in Lebanon

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue battling Hezbollah, but on Friday he indicated Israel will continue talks with the United States over a possible cease-fire in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024. (Photo by Ohad Zwigenberg / POOL / AFP) (Photo by OHAD ZWIGENBERG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

From yes to no to maybe: Behind Netanyahu's shifting stance on Lebanon cease-fire

Multifront conflicts are damaging Israel's economy, making a declaration of victory in Gaza by the Israeli prime minister a possibility at the UN.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense