The Gateway SPI Strategic Policies & Ideas

The United States has formally designated the United Arab Emirates a “major defense partner”. The two countries also agreed to deepen collaboration on artificial intelligence. The announcement followed President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office. The move puts the US-UAE military relationship on the same footing as that between the …

Israel’s military hit dozens of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight, a day after it launched a wave of airstrikes against the Iran-backed group’s sites in Lebanon. It was the heaviest strike in years.Hezbollah said it had attacked several Israeli military targets, including an explosives factory 60 km into Israel and the Megiddo airfield, with a series of rockets.It seems …

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for U.S. sanctions blocking some defence purchases by Ankara. He also said unilateral measure should be lifted because they hinder NATO allies’ ability to hit long-term bilateral trade targets. Reuters comments that ties between the allies have been strained over a host of issues in recent years, ranging from policy differences in the eastern Mediterranean, …

The European Union is extremely concerned by the escalation in Lebanon, following Friday’s attacks in Beirut – where at least three children were also killed – and the increasing cross border violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Heavy attacks are reported also today, both in Israel and Lebanon. A ceasefire is urgent, across the Blue Line as in Gaza. Civilians on …

U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the urgency of sealing a deal for a truce in Gaza and the release of hostages, the White House said. The call between the leaders, in which Vice President Kamala Harris also took part, came after Palestinian health officials reported at least 50 Palestinians killed by Israeli …

ROTA NAVAL BASE, Spain – A NATO Task Group led by the flagship frigate ESPS Victoria completed a three-week deployment to patrol the Western Mediterranean Sea, as part of NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG). This is the fourth focused operations (FOCOPS) conducted this year as part of OSG. During the three-week patrol, ESPS Victoria conducted Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) engaging …

Negociations in Doha paused on Friday with negotiators to meet again next week seeking an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hamas and free remaining hostages. U.S. President Joe Biden said “we’re not there yet”. In a joint statement, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt said Washington had presented a new proposal based on points of agreement over the past week, closing …

Concerns over a wider conflict in the Middle East have prompted international airlines to suspend flights to the region or to avoid affected air space.Below are some of the airlines that have adjusted services to and from the region:AEGEAN AIRLINESThe Greek airline cancelled all flights to and from Beirut, Amman and Tel Aviv until Aug. 19. AIR ALGERIEThe Algerian airline …

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will discuss the situation in the Middle East with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin said late on Monday. “It is expected that an exchange of views will be held on the situation in the Middle East in light of the current aggravation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe …

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz appealed to Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, to do everything possible to prevent a further military escalation in the Middle East in a phone call on Monday, according to a German government spokesperson. The spiral of violence in the Middle East must be broken now, as any other course would lead to incalculable danger for the …

The Canadian government has decided to pull the children and guardians of its diplomats out of Israel, amid fears of a widened conflict in the Middle East, the Canadian Press reported. Israel’s tensions with Iran and Hezbollah have spread fears of a broader conflict in a region already on edge amid Israel’s operation in Gaza .The risk of escalation increased …

Bangladesh’s president dissolved parliament thus clearing the way for an interim government and new elections. The move came a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled following a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising. President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s office also announced that the leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister had been …

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump proposed to debate Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News on Sept. 4. But, the Harris campaign countered that Trump was trying to back out of a debate that had already been set to run on ABC. The rules would be similar to the first debate with President Joe Biden, who has since dropped …

EU’s HR Josep Borrell statement: Today, we commemorate the Yazidi tragedy of 3 August 2014.  Ten years ago, Da’esh terrorists massacred 3,000 civilians in Sinjar and 7,000 women and children were kidnapped, abused, forced into sexual slavery or used as human shields.  Thanks to the sacrifice and efforts of the Iraqi population and their security forces – supported by the …

The European Union strongly condemns last night’s terrorist attack in Mogadishu, claimed by Al Shabaab. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish speedy recovery to those injured. This brutal attack at Lido Beach against civilians underlines yet again Al Shabaab’s barbarity towards their own compatriots. The EU stands in solidarity with the Government of …