Turkey’s ambitions in Libya and Eastern Med. again in spotlight

Everyone is a Turkey watcher these days it seems, as Ankara seeks to continue to stir up tensions using a research vessel and claims to energy rights across the Mediterranean. SETH J. FRANTZMAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 12:11 A war of words about Turkey’s role in the Eastern Mediterranean and Libya is growing in the Middle […]

Macron calls Lebanese politician as cabinet deadline looms

Published: 09.13.20 , 12:01 French President Emmanuel Macron has held a call with Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker to try to remove an obstacle to meeting this week’s deadline for forming a new government to drag the nation out of crisis, a Lebanese politician said on Sunday.Speaker Nabih Berri leads the Amal Movement, a Shi’ite Muslim party […]

Iran’s Def. Min. reveals ‘strength’ of new missiles that threaten Israel

Amir Hatami discussed the quality and quantity of the missiles and said it was one of the great achievements in the field of missiles that the country has seen. SETH J. FRANTZMAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 11:47 In an exclusive interview with Iran’s Tasnim news over the weekend Iran’s Defense Minister Amir Hatami spoke of the […]

Negotiating with Turkey will worsen the eastern Mediterranean crisis

In recent months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policies in the eastern Mediterranean region have posed numerous risks to the security and interests of Greece and Cyprus. While Turkey and Greece have said they are open to dialogue, both sides have stressed their interests must be met. Erdogan doesn’t believe in dialogue to solve issues, […]

Why Oman’s support for Bahrain-Israel deal is important for the Gulf

It would be wrong to interpret these statements as merely happenstance or random. SETH J. FRANTZMAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 11:36 Oman’s support for the Bahrain-Israel deal is not entirely surprising since it was Oman that was the original trial balloon in 2018 welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Oman’s wording of its support argues that […]

With F-35 sale to UAE on horizon, Israel assembles team to ensure it keeps military edge

September 13, 2020 A senior security official told Israel Hayom, “We now enjoy winds of peace, but we live in an unstable area where the wind direction may change rapidly.” By Lauren Marcus, World Israel News As the sale of F-35 jets from the U.S. to the UAE draws nearer, Israel has assembled a committee […]

EU wants ‘credible’ Lebanon government before giving more blast aid

European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic speaks during a news conference on humanitarian aid. (Reuters) AFP Sunday 13 September 2020 The European Union’s commissioner for crisis management on Saturday called for the urgent formation of a “credible” government in Lebanon before a second phase of financial support for the crisis-hit country can be released. […]

Netanyahu, Trump float Sudan, Oman as next potential partners to join peace train

September 13, 2020 Netanyahu and Trump want to expand the circle of countries normalizing relations with Israel. By David Isaac, World Israel News Sudan and Oman could be the next countries to ink a deal with Israel. Dana Weiss, reporter for Channel 12 writes on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump […]

German FM on Israel-Bahrain deal: ‘Another important step toward peace in the region’

German FM on Israel-Bahrain deal: ‘Another important step toward peace in the region’ German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas hails the normalization agreement between Israel and Bahrain. “The establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Bahrain is another important step toward peace in the region,” Maas says in a statement. Maas says he discussed the matter […]

Trump set to announce direct flights between Israel and Morocco — TV

US President Donald Trump will soon announce the introduction of direct flights between Israel and Morocco, Channel 12 news reports. The unsourced report also says Israel is currently in talks with Sudan about dispatching a plane carrying aid amid major flash floods in the African country. Israel does not have ties with either Morocco or […]

Iran’s currency hits new record low against the dollar

The rial has seen its value fall by 30 percent since June amid severe US sanctions APToday, 4:12 pm TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s currency on Saturday dropped to its lowest value ever against the dollar, and has seen its value fall by 30 percent since June amid severe US sanctions imposed on Tehran. Money exchange […]

Israel and Qatar have an unlikely partnership for dealing with Gaza

BEHIND THE LINES: Israel-Qatar cooperation in Gaza serves interests of both parties By JONATHAN SPYER SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 21:03  A deal brokered by the emirate of Qatar brought the latest round of low-level hostilities between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza to an end on August 31. The agreement includes the resumption of Qatari aid to the […]

Anti-Netanyahu protesters to block airport ahead of PM’s flight to US

“While we are on lockdown, he wants to fly abroad with his wife and kids.” LEON SVERDLOV SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 18:20 Anti-Government protesters are planning to block the entrance to Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure to the US, the protest movement said Saturday afternoon.Netanyahu is expected to fly to the […]

Bahrain and Israel foreign ministers hold phone call

Published: 09.12.20 , 18:26 Bahrain’s minister of foreign affairs Abdullatif Al-Zayani and Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi held a phone call on Saturday, the Bahrain foreign ministry announced, after the normalization of relations the day before. The ministers stressed the need to move relations forward to promote peace and stability in the region, it said.