EU opens talks on Ukraine’s accession under second of six negotiation clusters
The European Union began accession talks with Ukraine under the second of six negotiation clusters, Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne, whose country holds the EU Council presidency, said.…
Iran condemns UK’s designation of IRGC as security threat
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the decision, calling the move “unjustified” and “irresponsible”. – The ministry said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was an official part of Iran’s armed…
‘This war is a disaster,’ Omani foreign minister says
Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi says the war on Iran “has achieved none of its officially assigned objectives” and lacks a UN mandate. – “This war is a disaster,” he…
France showcases 500 pro-Ukraine troops at Bastille Day
Some 500 soldiers from the “Coalition of the Willing” backing Ukraine marched down Paris’ Champs-Elysees on Tuesday in the annual Bastille Day parade, in what France said would be a…
ASEAN envoy meets Myanmar opposition groups in Thailand
ASEAN’s special envoy on Myanmar held talks with ethnic minority rebel groups and a government-backed negotiation committee in an effort to tackle a civil war, with both sides expressing openness…
Lebanon, Israel hold US-brokered talks in Rome to implement framework deal
Lebanon and Israel resumed talks on Tuesday in the Italian capital, with Beirut hoping for progress towards securing an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon under a U.S.-brokered deal, although expectations…
The Unraveling of Maritime Law and the Rise of Sovereign Tolls in West Asia
The Strait of Hormuz has long been understood as the geopolitical trachea of the global economy, a narrow, elbow shaped corridor through which twenty five percent of the world’s seaborne…
Yemen threatens to close Bab al-Mandeb Strait, warns of $200 a barrel oil amid Saudi aggression
A senior Yemeni official has warned that the country’s armed forces are prepared to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, sending oil prices soaring to $200 a barrel, if Saudi Arabia…
Ukrainian conflict should be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy — Turkish leader
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the latest NATO summit, held in Ankara on July 7-8, gave his country an opportunity to clearly articulate its stance on pressing international topics,…
Over 50,000 US troops currently deployed across Middle East — Central Command
The number of US troops currently deployed in the Middle East exceeds 50,000, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). – “More than 50,000 US service members are currently…