EU-Mideast ties

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) walks with France's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Stephane Sejourne ahead of their meeting in Beirut on August 15, 2024, amid regional tensions during the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

French FM to visit Israel after Lebanon amid efforts to thwart all-out war

After meeting with Lebanese leaders in Beirut, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne continues on to Israel in a bid to prevent the outbreak of a regional war.

WOODSTOCK, ENGLAND - JULY 18: French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for the European Political Community Summit at Blenheim Palace on July 18, 2024 in Woodstock, England. At the 4th European Political Community Summit, Europe’s leaders will focus on energy, infrastructures, connectivity, cybersecurity, countering disinformation and migration. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Analysis

France struggles to find its footing, play role in Lebanon-Israel crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron has multiplied his contact with Middle Eastern leaders, trying to prevent escalation in the region, but so far, has not sent his foreign minister to Beirut.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US Central Command Cmdr. Gen. Michael Kurilla speaks at the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue, Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 19, 2022.

CENTCOM chief heads for Israel as country prepares for Iran attack

US Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla has arrived in the Middle East in efforts to coordinate with Israel and other countries against an expected attack by Iran.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a visit to Hutchinson Engineering in Widnes, north of England, on July 25, 2024.

UK’s new government reboots trade talks with Gulf, Israel, Turkey

New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made economic growth a priority of his Labour government and has pledged to make the UK the fastest-growing economy in the G20.

Latest News

Who is Faisal Taghi, alleged drug kingpin extradited from UAE to Netherlands?

Dubai Police extradited Faisal Taghi, a high-value target criminal wanted by Dutch authorities, to the Netherlands, on July 29, 2024.

United Arab Emirates

Gulf investment in UK real estate to hit $4B annually, says BLME

Members of the public walk along the high street on March 21, 2024, in Lewes, England.

France investigates death threats against Israeli Olympic athletes

Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Iran summons German ambassador, furious over Islamic center closure

A police officer is seen in front of the Blue Mosque, housing the Islamic Centre of Hamburg, northern Germany, on July 24, 2024.

What’s behind UK's terrorism conviction of Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary?

Radical cleric Anjem Choudary is seen leaving a probation hostel in London on Oct. 19, 2018, following his release from prison.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron (L) after a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Oct. 24, 2023.

Analysis

Israeli minister's support for Le Pen causing tensions in France-Israel ties

Reports that French President Emmanuel Macron confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about statements championing the far-right's Marine Le Pen signal the dangers of the Israeli government siding with European populists.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A BYD Ocean-M electric car is displayed at the Beijing Auto Show in Beijing on April 25, 2024.

China's BYD, world's biggest EV maker, invests $1B in Turkish plant

In a post on the social media platform X on Monday, Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz confirmed that BYD is expected to begin production of vehicles in the new factory at the end of 2026 and that the facility will provide around 5,000 direct jobs.

Former President of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) parliamentary group Marine Le Pen.

Analysis

What a far-right French government could look like

Jews and Muslims fear that a far-right win at the French parliamentarian elections on Sunday could damage their freedom of religious practice.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

The Royal Courts of Justice in London, England.

Why are victims of 1990 Kuwait hostage crisis suing British Airways?

On Aug. 2, 1990, upon landing for a planned refueling in Kuwait, the crew and passengers of BA149 were taken hostage by Iraqi forces to be used as human shields against the Western military response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

A woman wearing a hijab with a bouquet of flowers in her hand walks down a street in the Barbes district in Paris on June 25, 2023.

Analysis

French Jews, Muslims warn of far-right rise in upcoming elections

The far-right National Rally is expected to make big gains in upcoming legislative elections, with immigration and cost of living among central issues motivating voters.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Boats are anchored in the Dubai Creek surrounded by high-rise buildings in the Gult emirate, on February 18, 2023. Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors.

How the UAE became a magnet for millionaires

Lax regulation and easy pathways for obtaining visas have helped attract high-net-worth individuals to the United Arab Emirates.

Sebastian Castelier

By Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana, chairs a session of North Atlantic Council (NAC) with Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Sarajevo, on February 1, 2024. (Photo by Elvis BARUKCIC / AFP) (Photo by ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

NATO's deputy chief says Iran helping Russian 'threat to European security'

NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoana warned of Iran's destabilizing influence reaching as far as Venezuela and Cuba while also sounding the alarm on Wagner's widespread presence in Sahel.

Mircea Geoana

With Mircea Geoana

NATO Deputy Secretary-General

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.

After Hezbollah, Turkey’s Fidan warns Cyprus to 'stay away' from Israel's wars

The top Turkish diplomat’s warning on Monday came less than a week after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s threats toward Cyprus.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

'A security risk': Israeli commission warns Netanyahu on submarine affair

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been charged in the submarine affair trial, a state inquiry commission has warned that its conclusions could harm him.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron (L).

Analysis

France, Israel squabble over Gaza, Lebanon, but no divorce on horizon

The Eurosatory affair and disagreements on Gaza and Lebanon have tampered with the bilateral relations between Israel and France, but not all is lost.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US marines lean on a Abraham tank during the Eurosatory international land, air defence and security trade fair, in Villepinte, a northern suburb of Paris, on June 17, 2024.

As France bans it from Eurosatory, Israel says weapons exports at record high

Following a decision by French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli companies and their representatives were banned from attending the prestigious Eurosatory defense show in Paris.

US special envoy Amos Hochstein (C) arrives for a meeting with Lebanon's parliament speaker in Beirut on November 7, 2023 amid continuing tenions on the Lebanese-Israeli border, one month after the start of the war between Hamas and Israel. While the war rages in Gaza, there has also been cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Hochstein to visit Israel as Lebanon tensions soar, Gallant slams France's effort

Reacting to a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel will not take part in a trilateral comittee to de-escalate tensions with Hezbollah.