


The UAE, like the US and Israel, is normalising a permanent state of war David Hearst on Mon, 09/07/2026 - 08:19 Mohammed bin Zayed should read history to learn that soft power will win over hard power every time, especially in today’s world – where legitimacy is key UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport in Abu Dhabi on 12 August 2026 (AFP) On It took the Russian President Vladimir Putin 10 full months after his invasion of Ukraine to call what his country was e

When Israeli warplanes struck the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria on Aug. 18, 2026, the smoke rose over the demolition of an old geopolitical assumption about the Middle East. This time, Israel directly targeted a strategic sphere of influence where the Turkish military had been working to build local security capacity.Turkey rapidly filled the power vacuum in post-Assad Syria, expanding its military and intelligence footprint southward and positioning itself as a founding actor in the Levant’s ne

Ratko Mladic is gone. The racial ideology that produced him is not Amina Shareef on Mon, 08/31/2026 - 20:19 Despite the death of one of its most zealous proponents, the toxic worldview that underpinned the Bosnian genocide retains its global reach A defaced mural depicts former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic in Belgrade, Serbia, on 27 August 2026 (Andrej Isakovic/AFP) Off Many of us will have the fortune of being warmly remembered after death. Others will have the misfortune of bei
The statement, which was also signed by Turkey, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, and Indonesia, warned about turning Palestinian emigration into real policy.

By Samia Nakhoul ISTANBUL, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Six months after a conflict that rattled markets and pushed the Gulf to the brink of a wider war, the tide may be turning against Iran as Washington unleashes an unprecedented economic offensive to achieve what military force could not.

By Samia Nakhoul ISTANBUL, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Six months after a conflict that rattled markets and pushed the Gulf to the brink of a wider war, the tide may be turning against Iran as Washington unleashes an unprecedented economic offensive to achieve what military force could not.

Turkish spy chief makes secretive visit to Greece amid rising tensions with Israel, report says MEE staff on Sun, 09/06/2026 - 12:39 The development comes amid strained relations over the Aegean Sea as Greece deepens its defence partnership with Israel Turkish presidential adviser Ibrahim Kalin speaks to AFP journalists during an interview in Istanbul, 13 November 2021. (Ozan Kose/AFP) Off Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin made a secret visit to Athens last week for talks with his Gr

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held phone calls with Saudi Arabian and Turkish foreign ministers on Sunday and followed up on the understandings reached at the inaugural meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance last month, the Foreign Office (FO) said. The joint defence pact was signed on August 7 and empowers the member states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. Its inaugural meeting was held on August 31 in Istanbul, where it was decided

Eight foreign ministers condemn Katz and Ben Gvir’s Gaza displacement plan The foreign ministers of eight countries have condemned statements and plans by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt said the proposals are a flagrant violation of international law and p

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi Arabian and Turkish counterparts on Sunday followed up on the understandings reached at the inaugural meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance, the Foreign Office (FO) said. The joint defence pact was signed on August 7 and empowers the member states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. Its inaugural meeting was held on August 31 in Istanbul. In a series of posts on social media platform X, FO sa

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi Arabian counterpart, in a phone call on Sunday, discussed “follow-up” on the understanding reached at the inaugural meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance, the Foreign Office (FO) said. The joint defence pact, of which Turkiye is also a part, was signed on August 7 and empowers the member states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. Its inaugural meeting was held on August 31 in Istanbul. In a s

Two children among seven Palestinians injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza Two children were among seven Palestinians injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported, citing Turkey's Anadolu agency. Israeli naval forces fired at tents housing displaced Palestinians in the Al-Khalidi area, injuring two people. A child was hurt in a separate attack on another displacement camp in the as-Sudaniya area of northwestern Gaza, the report said. Three more were injured in an Israeli air raid on t

Balkans: Israel deepens ties with Bosnian Serb separatists through Banja Luka trade office Elis Gjevori on Sat, 09/05/2026 - 22:20 Israel is deepening ties with Bosnian Serb separatists as international isolation over its Gaza genocide pushes it to seek allies on the fringes of Europe Israeli Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania Galit Peleg (L), Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli (C) and Milorad Dodik attend the inauguration of the Israel Chamber of Commerce representative

US sanctions Turkish bank over alleged IRGC ties, accusing it of facilitating millions in transactions for Iran.
The sanctions put the financial entities on the US Treasury's OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list as part of US President Donald Trump's campaign to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
US sanctions on Iran hit three Turkish entities The US has targeted three Turkey-based entitites in a new round of Iran-related sanctions issued on Friday. According to the US Treasury Department, the entities targeted are Golden Global Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi, Golden Global Varlik Kiralama Anonim Sirketi, and Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi. The move is the latest in the Trump administration's campaign to economically pressure Tehran six months into Washington's war on Ir

The Treasury Department said Golden Global Bank was facilitating transactions for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
By Ismail Shakil, David Lawder and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department said on Friday it imposed new Iran-related sanctions on a small Turkish investment bank and two subsidiaries as part of the Trump administration's effort to increase economic pressure on Iran.
By Ismail Shakil, David Lawder and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a small Turkish investment bank and two subsidiaries on Friday as part of the Trump administration's campaign to increase economic pressure on Iran, the department said.
WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department issued new Iran-related sanctions on Friday, targeting three Turkey-based entities, according to the department's website. The entities targeted are Golden Global Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi, Golden Global Varlik Kiralama Anonim Sirketi, and Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi. The Treasury Department also issued a general license to allow the wind down of transactions with the sanctioned entities.

Two Israeli ministers floated proposals this week for the mass removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, resurfacing an idea voiced repeatedly by right-wing politicians over the past three years as they seek to rally supporters ahead of an election. The calls by two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political allies have revived Palestinian fears that Israel ultimately aims to forcibly expel them from Gaza despite US-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict there. Far-right security mi

TURKIYE is Muslim. We know that. What kind? Ottoman? Do today’s Turks not stand de-Ottomanised? Ataturk had forced all royal Ottomans out of the country. And such was the power of Ataturk’s secularisation of state and society that Ottoman became a bad word. The problem is history. It began in Central Asia when Changez Khan’s depredations made the Oghuz tribesmen — the harassed ancestors of today’s Turks — move to western Anatolia for safety. Little would they know what glory awaited them in (one

'Secretive' UAE and Swiss-based firms reportedly major crude suppliers to Israel Two little-known oil traders, Vitol and Heritage Petroleum FZCO, have emerged as two of the top suppliers of crude to Israel during its genocide in Gaza, according to a new report by Oil Change International (OCI) and the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO). Together, the companies collectively exported approximately 22m barrels to Israel, representing 11 percent of the country’s total crude im

'Secretive' UAE and Swiss-based firms found to be major crude suppliers to Israel, says report Katherine Hearst on Thu, 09/03/2026 - 11:55 Vitol and Heritage Petroleum FZCO supplied 22m barrels of crude, much of it shipped via Turkey despite Ankara’s trade embargo, new data has revealed A crude oil tanker crosses the Bosphorus Strait in the Besiktas district of Istanbul on 6 April 2018 (Ozan Kose/AFP) Off Two little-known oil traders, Vitol and Heritage Petroleum FZCO, have emerged as two of

UAE President pardons Egyptian poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi Katherine Hearst on Fri, 09/04/2026 - 11:34 The Egyptian-Turkish national was 'forcibly disappeared' following his extradition to the United Arab Emirates and facing a 10-year prison sentence Off The President of the United Arab Emirates has pardoned Egyptian poet and high-profile activist Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who was facing a ten-year prison sentence, Emirati media reported. According to the reports, Sheikh Mohame
The Council of Europe has published its first report on Ukraine’s implementation of the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women since Ukraine ratified the treaty.

On Aug. 25, at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Mazloum Abdi announced the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which he had commanded for a decade. Speaking first in Arabic and then in Kurdish, he said the force had joined the Syrian army and would no longer operate independently. 15 days earlier, Turkey’s parliament had passed a framework law for the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. The group has long been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the Eur

• Ahsan Iqbal calls for ‘economic reset’ to sustain strategic achievements • Ex-foreign minister says alliance safeguards sovereignty of all three states LAHORE: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Thursday described the Makkah Pact as an important strategic development, with the minister linking it to Pakistan’s defence and diplomatic gains and the speaker saying it should serve as an instrument for promoting peace through deterrence. They were

Japan’s Mogami-class warship is turning out to be a hot item among global navies. Australia is buying 11, New Zealand is considering putting in an order – and now, even the United States is showing interest. According to a US Naval Institute report published on Tuesday, government and naval planners are looking at three possibilities: Japan’s Mogami-class frigates, South Korea’s Chungnam guided-missile frigate and Turkey’s Istanbul-class warship. This is the first time since World War II that a.

Vance: US investigating strike on Iran wedding 'very fully' Yasmine El-Sabawi on Thu, 09/03/2026 - 20:18 The US vice president insisted that there is no ongoing 'war' with Iran US Vice President JD Vance take questions from reporters at the White House in Washington, on 3 September 2026 (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) Off US Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Thursday that the US is "very fully" investigating the military's reported strikes on a wedding in Iran which killed at least four

US diplomat Boulos won't name 'at least 12 countries' involved in Sudan war Oscar Rickett on Thu, 09/03/2026 - 15:51 Trump adviser does not name UAE, Egypt or Turkey, saying 'we are not here to go into these details' Massad Boulos, senior advisor to the US president on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs, speaks with the media outside the White House in Washington, DC, 21 July 2026 (AFP) Off US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser on African and Arab affairs has said “at least 12 countries” a

Ben Gvir set to unveil $20bn plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza within seven years Elis Gjevori on Thu, 09/03/2026 - 12:35 The far-right leader will make the plan a condition for joining any future Israeli coalition Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (C) storms Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on 23 July 2026 (Ilia Yefimovich/AFP) Off Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir will unveil a plan on Thursday to "encourage voluntary emigration from Gaza", makin

Bangladesh’s potential entry into a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan could give Dhaka fresh leverage in its dealings with India, but observers warn the move risks fracturing its long-standing strategic neutrality and alarming a hawkish New Delhi. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told parliament on August 27 that Bangladesh was considering joining the Mecca pact, a security framework signed last month. Earlier reports citing unnamed sources said the invitation originated from..
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country is ready to make every possible effort to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to a peaceful end.

PAKISTAN’S star in the field of foreign policy is on the ascendant. Not too long ago, because of our own mistakes and the malevolence of some in the neighbourhood, Pakistan’s reputation had suffered internationally. That situation has changed. Today, in the region and the world, Pakistan is recognised for its diplomatic finesse, for bringing together adversaries, and for contributing to regional peace. Yet for all the accolades, the country can only capitalise on this improved reputation by addr

Turkey replaces Russian oil and diesel imports from US as wars reverberate Turkey is turning to the United States for crude oil and refined products as supplies from Russia are jolted amid increasing Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure, according to recent Turkish customs data. The US overtook Russia in June as Turkey’s main crude oil supplier with roughly 570,000 tonnes arriving compared to 425,000 from Russia. The numbers reflect how Ankara is reducing its exposure to Russian crude
Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Director-General Avi Cohen Scali accused Erdogan of "leading an antisemitic policy toward the State of Israel."

Turkey replaces Russian oil and diesel imports from US as wars reverberate MEE staff on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 18:18 Turkey is importing more oil from the US, even after it extended a natural gas deal with Russia People queue at a petrol station in Istanbul on 6 March 2026 as fears have grown of a possible inflationary wave as war in the Middle East sends energy prices shooting upwards (Yasin Akgul/AFP) Off Turkey is turning to the United States for crude oil and refined products as supplies from

Exclusive: Blair asked PA to remove 'Palestine' from textbooks, former UK envoy says David Hearst on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 10:30 In a wide ranging interview with MEE, Jeremy Greenstock questioned Blair's ability to act as a neutral intermediary and said he was facing 'difficulties' in his role overseeing postwar Gaza On Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was recently sent by Donald Trump's Board of Peace to ask the Palestinian Authority (PA) to replace any mention of the word "Palestine" in sch
"With the opening of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, we will also take steps together to open some new power plants," Erdogan said after his meeting with Putin.
ANKARA, Sept 2 (Reuters) - NATO member Turkey would consider taking its relations with the China and Russia-led security bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to a higher level, PresidentTayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday. "Turkey's prospect of (full) membership to the organisation does not imply a breakaway from any other bloc or from the West," Erdogan said, according to a transcript of remarks he made to journalists on his return flight from Kyrgyzstan. Erdogan attended a summit of the S

European and US airlines already avoid Russian airspace, while carriers from China, Turkey, and Gulf states continue using it.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Wednesday that Pakistan remained “hopeful” despite recent escalations between the US and Iran and would continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan has been spearheading efforts for an end to the ongoing war that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Besides signing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as the mediator in June, Islamabad had also brokered a ceasefire between the US and Iran in April. The April ceasefi
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in the Black Sea and the possibility of holding talks in Türkiye on a settlement to Russia’s war against Ukraine during their meeting in Bishkek.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Wednesday that Pakistan remained “hopeful” despite recent escalations between the US and Iran and would continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan has been spearheading efforts for an end to the ongoing war that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Besides signing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as the mediator in June, Islamabad had also brokered a ceasefire between the US and Iran in April. The April ceasefi

Israel-Greece air defence deal to be 'scaled up' with UAE as contender, sources say Sean Mathews on Tue, 09/01/2026 - 19:49 The UAE, which operates a range of air-defence batteries, is being discussed as the next export market for a layered system A battery of Israel's Iron Dome air defence system deployed near Gaza, on 17 April 2024 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off Israel plans to “scale up” the export of the layered air-defence system it sold to Greece, with the UAE as its desired buyer, one current an

The two sides supported efforts of regional mediators, including work to restore safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz

Israel warned Turkey against moving south in Syria. It did so anyway Ragip Soylu on Tue, 09/01/2026 - 10:21 Turkish troops deployed to Deir ez-Zor and built a temporary bridge across the Euphrates, drawing no military response from Israel A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus on 4 June 2025 (Louai Beshara/AFP) Off Two weeks after Israel bombed a Syrian base in the north to draw a red line against Turkish troops moving south, Ankara did exactly that, with no military re

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said water was the “lifeblood” of South Asia and must never be weaponised, as he addressed a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan. Speaking at the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, the premier said the region cannot “realise its full potential without lasting peace”. Without naming India directly, he highlighted the issue of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and demanded that it be honoured. “W