Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025

Erdogan Vows to Combat PKK Amidst Defense Tech Boost; Global Tensions Rise with Diplomacy and Humanitarian Concerns

Erdogan pledges continued military operations against PKK amid defense advancements following an attack in Ankara. Norway seeks ICJ intervention on Israel's humanitarian obligations after UNRWA ban, as diplomatic rifts grow in the Middle East and beyond.
In the realm of international security, President Erdogan of Turkiye reaffirmed his nation's commitment to continuing military operations against the PKK in northern Iraq and Syria. Highlighting advancements in defense technology, including new anti-aircraft systems and an expansion in drone manufacturing, Erdogan vows to eliminate terrorist threats following a recent attack on a state-owned defense firm in Ankara.

Shifting our attention to controversial humanitarian issues, Norway is seeking clarity from the International Court of Justice on Israel's responsibilities to aid Palestinians. This move comes in the wake of Israel's ban on the UN agency UNRWA within its territory, following accusations linking its employees to a recent Hamas attack.

In a significant diplomatic response, Germany has withdrawn its ambassador from Iran after the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian dual national accused of terrorism. This action marks an escalation in diplomatic tensions, accompanied by Iran's protest against German "interventionist" remarks.

Turning to a serious crime report in England, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana faces charges of triple murder and attempted murder after a deadly stabbing at a Southport dance class. In addition to these charges, he is accused of producing ricin and possessing extremist material, complicating the legal case.

In the political landscape of the United States, battleground states reveal a surge in Jewish voter support for Kamala Harris, who holds a significant lead over Donald Trump. Conversely, Arab American voters display split opinions, with a narrow majority leaning towards Trump due to dissatisfaction with current Middle Eastern policies.

Finally, in health technology news, Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed is making headlines with his investment in startups focused on early disease detection and personalized medicine. Announcing these ventures at the Future Investment Initiative, his investments are part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to advance bioscience and biotechnology for healthy aging.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Abu Dhabi ‘Capital of Capital’: How Abu Dhabi Rose as a Sovereign Wealth Power
Diamonds Are Powering a New Quantum Revolution
Trump Threatens Strikes Against Iran if Nuclear Programme Is Restarted
Why Saudi Arabia May Recalibrate Its US Spending Commitments Amid Rising China–America Rivalry
Riyadh Air’s First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Completes Initial Test Flight, Advancing Saudi Carrier’s Launch
Saudi Arabia’s 2025: A Pivotal Year of Global Engagement and Domestic Transformation
Saudi Arabia to Introduce Sugar-Content Based Tax on Sweetened Drinks from January 2026
Saudi Hotels Prepare for New Hospitality Roles as Alcohol Curbs Ease
Global Airports Forum Highlights Saudi Arabia’s Emergence as a Leading Aviation Powerhouse
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Choice on Iran Amid Regional Turbulence
Not Only F-35s: Saudi Arabia to Gain Access to the World’s Most Sensitive Technology
Saudi Arabia Condemns Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting and Expresses Solidarity with Australia
Washington Watches Beijing–Riyadh Rapprochement as Strategic Balance Shifts
Saudi Arabia Urges Stronger Partnerships and Efficient Aid Delivery at OCHA Donor Support Meeting in Geneva
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Drives Measurable Lift in Global Reputation and Influence
Alcohol Policies Vary Widely Across Muslim-Majority Countries, With Many Permitting Consumption Under Specific Rules
Saudi Arabia Clarifies No Formal Ban on Photography at Holy Mosques for Hajj 2026
Libya and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic MoU to Boost Telecommunications Cooperation
Elon Musk’s xAI Announces Landmark 500-Megawatt AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia
Israel Moves to Safeguard Regional Stability as F-35 Sales Debate Intensifies
Cardi B to Make Historic Saudi Arabia Debut at Soundstorm 2025 Festival
U.S. Democratic Lawmakers Raise National Security and Influence Concerns Over Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
Traveling to USA? Homeland Security moving toward requiring foreign travelers to share social media history
Wall Street Analysts Clash With Riyadh Over Saudi Arabia’s Deficit Outlook
Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Cement $1 Trillion-Plus Deals in High-Profile White House Summit
Saudi Arabia Opens Alcohol Sales to Wealthy Non-Muslim Residents Under New Access Rules
U.S.–Saudi Rethink Deepens — Washington Moves Ahead Without Linking Riyadh to Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia and Israel Deprioritise Diplomacy: Normalisation No Longer a Middle-East Priority
Saudi Arabia Positions Itself as the Backbone of the Global AI Era
As Trump Deepens Ties with Saudi Arabia, Push for Israel Normalization Takes a Back Seat
Thai Food Village Debuts at Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025 Under Thai Commerce Minister Suphajee’s Lead
Saudi Arabia Sharpens Its Strategic Vision as Economic Transformation Enters New Phase
Saudi Arabia Projects $44 Billion Budget Shortfall in 2026 as Economy Rebalances
OPEC+ Unveils New Capacity-Based System to Anchor Future Oil Output Levels
Will Saudi Arabia End Up Bankrolling Israel’s Post-Ceasefire Order in Lebanon?
Saudi Arabia’s SAMAI Initiative Surpasses One-Million-Citizen Milestone in National AI Upskilling Drive
Saudi Arabia’s Specialty Coffee Market Set to Surge as Demand Soars and New Exhibition Drops in December
Saudi Arabia Moves to Open Two New Alcohol Stores for Foreigners Under Vision 2030 Reform
Saudi Arabia’s AI Ambitions Gain Momentum — but Water, Talent and Infrastructure Pose Major Hurdles
Tensions Surface in Trump-MBS Talks as Saudi Pushes Back on Israel Normalisation
Saudi Arabia Signals Major Maritime Crack-Down on Houthi Routes in Red Sea
Italy and Saudi Arabia Seal Over 20 Strategic Deals at Business Forum in Riyadh
COP30 Ends Without Fossil Fuel Phase-Out as US, Saudi Arabia and Russia Align in Obstruction Role
Saudi-Portuguese Economic Horizons Expand Through Strategic Business Council
DHL Commits $150 Million for Landmark Logistics Hub in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Aramco Weighs Disposals Amid $10 Billion-Plus Asset Sales Discussion
Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince for Major Defence and Investment Agreements
Families Accuse OpenAI of Enabling ‘AI-Driven Delusions’ After Multiple Suicides
Riyadh Metro Records Over One Hundred Million Journeys as Saudi Capital Accelerates Transit Era
×