Black Sea

Ukraine offensive makes waves in the Black Sea

Moscow's edge over Kyiv has been its naval power, as Ukraine has virtually no navy. But over the past few weeks, a successful Ukrainian offensive has helped tip the scales in the conflict.

Michael Horowitz 26 September 2023

It can be argued that Russia's war on Ukraine started in 2008 when it invaded Georgie. Al Majalla explains why the South Caucasus is an important missing piece of the discussion.

Majalla/Agencies

Understanding Russia's war on Ukraine starts with understanding Russia's Black Sea politics

It can be argued that Russia's war on Ukraine started in 2008 when it invaded Georgie. Al Majalla explains why the South Caucasus is an important missing piece of the discussion.

Anna Borshchevskaya 20 September 2023

Russian Navy's diesel-electric Kilo class submarine Rostov-on-Don sails through the Bosphorus Strait on the way to the Black Sea past the city Istanbul as Sultanahmet mosque (L) and Hagia Sophia mosque (R) are seen in the backround.

AFP

The Montreux Convention: The historic pact that has kept the Turkish Straits safe

Major world wars and events have passed yet the implementation of the convention has kept the Black Sea safe

Omer Onhon 27 January 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a news conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (not pictured) in Budapest, Hungary November 7, 2019. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo/File Photo

Turkey's Natural Gas Find in Black Sea Now Comes To 710 bcm -Erdogan

The total volume of natural gas Turkey has discovered in the Black Sea now amounts to 710 billion cubic meters (bcm) after a new field was located and a previous find was revised higher, President…

26 December 2022

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 2, 2022. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik

World Food Supplies at Risk as Russia Withdraws from Black Sea Deal

Russia's weekend backtrack from a U.N.-brokered deal to export Black Sea grains is likely to hit shipments to import-dependent countries, deepening a global food crisis and sparking gains in prices. …

31 October 2022

The Panama-flagged bulk carrier ship, the Navi Star arrives at Foynes Port delivering 33,000 tonnes of Ukrainian corn to Ireland after departing Odessa following the formation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, in Foynes, Ireland August 20, 2022. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Seven More Crop-Laden Ships Leave Ukrainian Ports on Sunday

Seven more ships laden with agricultural produce left Ukrainian ports on Sunday, the country's infrastructure ministry said, bringing the total to 218 since a U.N.-brokered corridor through the Black…

25 September 2022

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Georgian Defense Minister Dzhuansher Burchuladze. Photo Credit: Reuters

US Strategies with Frontline States To Counter Russian Influence

This week, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin traveled to Europe to attend the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels. Ahead of the event Secretary Austin visited Georgia, Ukraine, and Romania…

Maia Otarashvili 22 October 2021

A land operation takes place on the Oleshky Sands military training ground close to Crimea as part of the Sea Breeze 2021 maritime exercise held by NATO and its partner nations from June 28 through July 10. According to press statements, the multinational military unit has practiced a raid behind notional enemy lines. (Getty)

Rising Tensions in the Black Sea Amid Sea Breeze Exercises

The Black Sea continues to be embroiled in a tug-of-war amid intensifying great power competition. Russia has made some significant military moves in the region this year and seems to be working…

Maia Otarashvili 09 July 2021

A general view of a plenary session of NATO summit as leaders of member countries attend at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, on June 14, 2021. (Getty)

The NATO Summit in Brussels: Implications for Russia

On June 14th NATO held its 31st summit in Brussels. On the surface, at least, it looks like the transatlantic community is back on the same page, to its pre-Trump posture of “unity, solidarity, and…

Maia Otarashvili 18 June 2021

Jean-Claude Juncker (C), President of the European Commission and representatives of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI or TSI) takes part in a TSI Summit, on September 18, 2018 at the Cotroceni Palace, the Romanian Presidency headquarters in Bucharest.

Three Seas Initiative Promise for Black Sea Region

The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) was launched in 2015 as a massive infrastructure investment project involving 12 European countries from the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black Sea regions. Austria, Bulgaria…

Maia Otarashvili 04 June 2021

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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump at the White House, Washington, on 18 November 2025.

SPA

Politics

Saudi Arabia scores ally upgrade in Washington

19 November 2025

Trump elevates Saudi Arabia to 'major non-NATO ally' status, but bigger issues of normalisation with Israel and a binding security treaty need more time. Nonetheless, this is a huge step forward.

Abdullah F. Alrebh

Lina Jaradat

Business & Economy

Hezbollah money laundering risks sanctions on Lebanon

17 November 2025

Media reports show pro-Hezbollah charities using online platforms to solicit donations via digital wallets to circumvent sanctions. In Lebanon's cash economy, that is a dangerous game to play.

Thuraya Shahin

Al Majalla's Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Hamidi interviews Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on 13 November 2025.

Axel Rangel Garcia

Politics

Asaad Shaibani on how Syria untangled its Russian knot

18 November 2025

In Part 1 of a two-part interview with Al Majalla, Syria's foreign minister explains how the Assad regime fell and how President Ahmed al-Sharaa went from a wanted man to a world leader

Ibrahim Hamidi

AL MAJALLA/ AFP

Culture & Social Affairs

50 years on, 'Grendizer' still stirs Arab hearts

23 November 2025

The Arab world's connection to the cartoon series remains uniquely intimate. No other animated comic hero has achieved the same level of fame, resonance, and longevity.

Shadi Alaa Aldin