
Middle East & Africa

Moqtada al-Sadr Wants to Be Iraq’s Ayatollah Khomeini
Despite the Shiite cleric’s apparent efforts against Iranian influence in Iraq, his chief inspiration is Iran’s founder and most famous supreme leader.

Whose Iran Is It Anyway?
Ali Khamenei won’t give up power for anyone—not even his president.

Militarizing the Sahel Won’t Make Europe More Secure
The EU’s obsession with security in the Sahel is a reflection of its own anxieties—and a betrayal of its values.

Team Biden to Unveil New U.S. Africa Strategy
The strategy seeks to grapple with China’s growing influence in Africa without painting African countries as geopolitical pawns.

Iran Deal Talks Go Into Overtime
The top U.S. negotiator is making a last-ditch trip to Vienna.

Iraqi Politics Needs a Root-and-Branch Overhaul
New elections won’t fix what increasingly looks like a systemic problem.

Democracy Fades in the Arab Spring’s Success Story
Few restraints remain for Tunisian strongman Kais Saied after his constitutional referendum passed overwhelmingly and opposition parties boycotted the vote.

Odinga and Ruto Face Off in Kenya
Rivals become allies as outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta backs his old nemesis in a closely fought election.

Raisi’s Inept Negotiators Are Sinking Iran Deal Talks
The incompetence of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his team is partly responsible for the current impasse.

The Old Human Rights Playbook Won’t Work Anymore
As Biden’s Saudi visit showed, state-to-state shaming isn’t the only way to shift the calculus of authoritarian rulers who abuse their citizens.

Senegal’s Democratic Backsliding Is a Threat to African Democracy
A constitutional coup in a country that has long been a beacon for freedom would encourage authoritarians across the continent.

Could There Ever Be a Middle East NATO?
Biden’s trip to the region showed that while many Arab nations want to collaborate with Israel, they don’t want to do it in public.

U.S. Follows Russia in Dueling Trips to Africa
Blinken to travel to the continent after Lavrov’s “charm offensive” tour.

Burkina Faso Could Be Next for Russia’s Wagner Group, U.S. Intel Fears
A military coup, natural resources, and roiling insecurity are a recipe for Russian intervention.

Is Conservation Becoming Colonialism in Tanzania?
Tourism initiatives and conservation of UNESCO heritage sites have led to forced evictions of Indigenous peoples.

Iran Stands to Lose the Most if the Nuclear Deal Isn’t Revived
Resistance and endurance are pointless if diplomatic and economic opportunities are not seized when they arise.

U.S. Embassies in Africa Are Chronically Short-Staffed
Hollowed-out posts could leave the United States playing catch up to China and Russia.

Ghana’s ‘Success’ Exposes the West’s Toxic Development Model
Standard theories of global progress continue to be largely limited to raw extraction.

Russia Still Has Willing Partners in the Middle East
Despite Moscow’s military shortcomings and Western efforts to make it an international pariah, Vladimir Putin remains a capable player in the region.

China Won’t Replace the U.S. in the Middle East
Beijing remains uninterested in choosing sides in the region’s ongoing power games.

Arming Civilians in Northern Nigeria Is a Bad Idea
Zamfara state’s decision to provide weapons to untrained individuals could lead to more small-arms proliferation and widespread violence.

Africans Decry Europe’s Energy Hypocrisy
Wealthy European countries that sought to halt funding of fossil fuel projects across Africa are now scrambling to secure the continent’s oil and gas.

Biden’s Brief Middle East Pivot Won’t Last
The U.S. president’s trip was an immediate and time-limited response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, domestic economic woes, and Iran.

‘Science of Women’ Classes Take on the Patriarchy in Kurdish-Held Northeast Syria
“Now, I see that even the woman has a life.”

Will Zintan Determine Libya’s Future?
With control over oil revenues and smuggling profits up for grabs, militias from the western city may once again exercise outsized influence over who leads the country.

Should Biden Backtrack on His Campaign Promises?
The president’s trip to Saudi Arabia and talk of regional security guarantees are a dramatic departure from his rhetoric during the 2020 race.

Russia’s Dreams of a Red Sea Naval Base Are Scuttled—for Now
U.S. intelligence believes Sudan has rebuffed Moscow’s hopes of establishing its first naval base in Africa.

Europe to Africa: Gas for Me but Not for Thee
Europe is ramping up its use of the dirtiest fuels—but keeps pressing Africa to stick to draconian green goals.

Biden’s Push for Lower Energy Prices Amounts to a ‘Declaration of Bankruptcy’
FP columnist Adam Tooze discusses how fluctuating oil and gas prices are changing the world as we know it.

It’s Time to Rethink the U.S.-Saudi Relationship
For too long, Washington has sacrificed its principles to appease the kingdom—and gotten almost nothing in return.

Biden Has a Lot to Gain in Saudi Arabia
His trip won’t lower gas prices, but it can shore up Washington’s global standing.

On Biden’s Middle East Visit, He Will See a New Iraq at the Table
After leaning heavily on the United States, Iraq is finding its own footing.

Biden Should Revive the Carter Doctrine for the Middle East
In a new era of superpower conflict, Washington needs to recommit to the region.

The United States Doesn’t Need to Recommit to the Middle East
The Biden administration is reportedly considering a formal defense agreement with the UAE. Here’s why it shouldn’t.

Five Years After Liberation, There Is New Hope Among Mosul’s Ruins
On the anniversary of its liberation from the Islamic State, Iraq’s second city heals its scars.

Libya Could Be Putin’s Trump Card
Global oil markets have already felt the pinch of Libyan oil shutdowns helped along by Russian mercenaries.

Why Did Iran’s Ali Khamenei Oust a Loyal Intelligence Head?
Hossein Taeb’s sudden removal from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is part of a wider project to install a new generation of zealots.

Why South Africa Is in the Dark, Again
Winter is here. And the country is facing its worst-ever energy crisis.

Biden Heads to a Nervous Middle East
Both Israel and Saudi Arabia want a stronger deterrence stance on Iran.

How Biden Can Reverse China’s Gains in Saudi Arabia
Preventing growing Chinese influence in the Middle East is more important than making Riyadh a pariah.

What to Expect From Biden’s Big Middle East Trip
The U.S. president’s upcoming trip to the region is being driven largely by a domestic political crisis linked to the price of oil.

Kais Saied’s Proposed New Constitution Is Roiling Tunisia
The changes would grant the president almost untrammeled power.

Nigeria’s Presidential Candidates Are Deeply Uninspiring
The country’s multiple challenges require a generational change in leadership.

Ghana Goes to the IMF
After promising to prosper without international aid, Nana Akufo-Addo’s government is seeking international financial assistance to address an economic crisis.

The Rebirth of Congo’s Rebellion
The M23 rebel group is back, threatening to take much of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo—and sparking wider regional tensions.

Has South Africa’s Donald Trump Arrived?
The xenophobic firebrand Nhlanhla “Lux” Mohlauli is courting poor Black voters by stoking hatred of foreigners. It’s working.

Why Iran Is Downplaying Israel Assassinating Its Officials
As Israel ups the ante of covert warfare, Iran scrambles to respond.

Western Nonprofits Are Trampling Over Africans’ Rights and Land
Indigenous people are being forced out from so-called protected areas.

Green Energy’s Dirty Secret: Its Hunger for African Resources
The scramble for battery metals threatens to replicate one of the most destructive dynamics in global economic history.

Why Does Israel Keep Assassinating Iranian Officials? Because It Works.
Targeting senior leaders critical to an enemy program makes strategic sense from Israel’s perspective.

What Does China Want in Ethiopia?
Beijing is stepping up its diplomatic efforts in the Horn of Africa as U.S. influence wanes.

Britain’s Rwanda Deportation Policy Is a Cruel, Expensive Failure
Boris Johnson’s offshoring of asylum-seekers won’t stop the human smuggling trade—or deter people fleeing tyranny who are intent on reaching Britain.

U.S. Aid to Saudi Arabia on Missile Defense Is Not Unconditional
Biden must make it clear to Saudi leaders that continued ballistic missile cooperation with China will jeopardize U.S. missile defense assistance.

Nigeria’s All-Male Gerontocracy Won’t Go Away
Africa’s largest democracy systematically excludes women and young people from politics in a country where the median age is 18.

Bibi Sees a Path Back to Leadership After Israeli Government Dissolves
But a fifth election in less than four years is more likely to produce deadlock—again.

Christian Nationalism Is Tearing Ethiopia Apart
A religious revival rooted in the country’s imperial history has coincided with civil war and the spread of genocidal rhetoric—endangering a diverse and multifaith nation.

Syrian Refugees Find Little Hope in Lebanon’s Election
Lebanon’s large refugee population has long given up on their futures in the country.

The Houthis Still Have the Upper Hand in Yemen
A tenuous U.N. truce has provided relief to civilians but may only entrench a power imbalance in the country’s civil war.

Why Biden Is Trying to Keep Naftali Bennett Afloat
The right-wing Israeli leader’s fragile coalition is vastly preferable to a return of Netanyahu.

Belgium Offers Regret—but No Reparations—to Congo
King Philippe stopped short of apologizing for colonial-era atrocities, angering the Congolese opposition and diaspora.

The Brewing Battle Over Africa’s Ivory
Many countries in southern Africa want to unload big stockpiles of ivory to fund conservation, even though the trade is banned.

The Secret to Getting What You Need in Ghana
Special “protocol” treatment has become a way of life for the privileged few.

What Is Biden’s Policy in the Persian Gulf?
Talk of security guarantees for the UAE and a thaw in Washington-Riyadh relations could enhance—or weaken—U.S. standing in the region.

The Next Mediterranean Migration Crisis Will Be Worse
A new book tells the forgotten story of migrants stranded in Libya amid United Nations incompetence and Western indifference.

America’s Iran Follies
How two decades of misjudgments by Washington helped lead Tehran to the nuclear brink.

Will Turkey Expel Its Syrian Refugees?
Nearly 4 million refugees are caught in the crossfire of Ankara’s heated domestic politics.

Biden Was Always Going to Need Saudi Arabia
Trying to make Mohammed bin Salman a “pariah” was bound to fail.

Turkey’s Newest African Ally
Ankara’s arms sales to Niger could make the country the center of counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel.

Iran’s Leaders Are Scared of the Internet
They should be more scared of shutting it off.

Inside the Waning Days of al Qaeda
A new book on the documents recovered in the Abbottabad raid reveals an organization far weaker than many believed it to be.

Tunisia’s Powerful Labor Union Is Thwarting President Saied’s Ambitions
The Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) is the one body with enough power to derail Saied’s plans.

‘A Pawn in a Cruel Political Game’
Iran is threatening to execute an Iranian Swedish doctor—and human rights activists say the West isn’t doing enough.

Egypt’s Remilitarized Sinai Is a Future Powder Keg
Egypt and Israel are undermining their peace treaty—and it needs to be stopped.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Is Silencing Human Rights Advocates
Mustafa al-Kadhimi promised reform and freedom of expression. Now he’s using archaic laws to stifle free speech.

How a U.S. Abortion Ban Would Impact Africa
Washington’s curtailment of reproductive rights at home and in U.S. foreign aid programs has historically had dramatic effects on women’s rights across the continent.

Lebanon Has an Opposition Movement Again
A new coalition could check—or even dislodge—Hezbollah and its iron grip.

Putin’s World Order Would Be Devastating for Africa
Moscow is already deeply involved in destabilizing wars.

Russia’s Imperial Arrogance Is Destroying Ukrainian Heritage
The Kremlin believes it’s the true heir of classical civilization—and is poised to replicate its pillage of Syria in Ukraine under the guise of cultural preservation.

Has Hollywood Fallen Out of Love With Israel?
A recent book examines the origins and end of an affair between the film industry and the Jewish state.

Somalia’s al Qaeda Branch Has Gotten ‘Bigger, Stronger, and Bolder’ Since U.S. Exit
As in Afghanistan, Trump’s decisions to withdraw have only emboldened terrorists.

Why Israel Is Afraid of Palestinian Funerals
Shireen Abu Akleh was neither a terrorist nor a dissident. But Israeli authorities treated the journalist’s funeral as a threat to their security.

How the West Lost Africa
Scolding and paternalism are not winning over African leaders when it comes to ties with Russia.

Blasting Israeli Settlement Construction Will Get Biden Nowhere
Settlement growth in the West Bank is a product of population pressure, not policy.

An Israeli-Palestinian Confederation Is the Best Path to Peace
The plan would satisfy concerns across the political spectrum by tackling the thorniest issues in new ways.

The BDS Movement Has Already Lost
Where it counts—in the halls of government and boardrooms—the effort to boycott Israel doesn’t even register.

Lebanon’s Surprisingly Promising Election
After years of political deadlock, the country may be starting to shake off its ruling class.

Somalia’s New President
After a long delayed indirect election, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faces many challenges.

Trump’s Poison Pills Are Still Toxic
Whether it’s Iran, China, Cuba, or immigration, U.S. President Joe Biden often finds himself stymied by his predecessor’s foreign policy.

Africa’s Stolen Art Debate Is Frozen in Time
Europe’s arguments against restitution have ignored the legitimate claims of African scholars and governments for 50 years.

Why Is Madrid Pandering to Morocco?
Spain has traded five decades of neutrality on Western Sahara while getting nothing but a spyware scandal in return.

It’s Africa’s Century—for Better or Worse
Asia gets the attention, but the real economic revolution is the inevitable growth of an overlooked continent.

Can Lebanon’s Elections Pull the Country Out of an Abyss?
On Sunday, Lebanese go to the polls for the first time since their 2019 uprising.

The Islamic State Sets Its Sights on Africa
U.S. officials fear that Africa’s Sahel region is becoming a melting pot of terrorist groups.

War in Ukraine Is Worsening East Africa’s Food Crisis
Rising wheat, fuel, and fertilizer costs amid a historic drought could lead to mass hunger and instability throughout the Horn of Africa.

Yemen Is Sitting on a Time Bomb Bigger Than the Exxon Valdez
An abandoned oil tanker with more than 1 million barrels of crude is rusting off the coast.

Terrorism Is Making a Comeback, and Africa Is the Hot Spot
Things could get even worse after the pandemic.

The Middle East’s Kumbaya Moment Won’t Last
The diplomatic resets and outreach underway are just competition by another means.

Ethnic Clashes in Cameroon Aren’t About Religion
There have long been tensions between Muslim Mbororo pastoralists and Christian groups, but the war between Anglophone secessionists and the government has enflamed them.

Can Saudi Arabia’s Film Industry Take Off?
Big-budget thrillers are now being filmed in the kingdom, but culture clashes could hinder the industry’s success.

Western Allies Pressure African Countries to Condemn Russia
But too much pressure could backfire.

Families of American Hostages Abroad Find Power—and Solace—in Numbers
Biden faces pressure to secure release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

The Qatarization of the Middle East
Gulf Arab countries are copying Qatar in hedging against U.S. power. Iran is thrilled.

Can Nigeria Ever End Its Kidnap-for-Ransom Industry?
New legislation seeks to tackle a stubborn security threat, but members of the government are undermining their own policy.

How the U.N. and the West Failed Sudan
Self-delusion and negligence stopped governments and aid agencies from facilitating a genuine and lasting transition to democracy.

Palestinians Feel Economic Pain From the War in Ukraine
A food crisis looms as the price of wheat and other staples surges.

Treating Migration as a Crisis Is a Missed Opportunity
Racism is keeping rich societies from benefitting from increased migration.

Biya Bets on Russia
Cameroon’s president signs a security deal with Putin amid war in Ukraine and conflict at home.

Russian Mercenaries Staged Atrocities in Mali, France Says
The French military watched what appeared to be Wagner operatives attempting a false-flag operation to discredit the West.

ISIS Can’t Even Direct Lone-Wolf Attacks Anymore
But the group is hoping for a resurgence while the West is distracted in Ukraine.

Who’s to Blame for the Global Hunger Crisis?
Moscow and Washington battle at the U.N. to assign responsibility for a looming food crisis that threatens millions with starvation.

Sanctioning Russia Won’t Stop Putin. Just Look at Iran.
Iran is a cautionary tale that stubborn autocracies can’t be disciplined with sanctions.

Iraq’s Oil Dysfunction
The world’s sixth-largest oil producer still suffers from fuel shortages and power outages.

Britain Seeks to Send Refugees to Rwanda
Boris Johnson’s government is partnering with an authoritarian regime in a legally questionable effort to make Britain’s asylum-seeker problem disappear.

Russia Flounders in Ukraine but Doubles Down in Mali
Russian mercenaries fill Mali vacuum as European powers pursue an exit.

China’s Transnational Repression Gets Saudi Backing
Deporting Uyghur refugees is inhumane and illegal.

Why African Leaders Won’t Back the West on Ukraine
Committed nonalignment, fear of upsetting China, and reliance on Russia for arms and security led many countries to ignore Washington’s demands.

U.S. Envoy for East Africa to Call It Quits
David Satterfield is expected to leave his post after just a few months on the job, leaving a big vacuum at a bad time.

Panicky Markets Are the Greatest Danger to Global Food Supply
The loss of Ukrainian and Russian wheat can be made up elsewhere.

Putin Is Targeting Ukrainian Hospitals. That’s a War Crime.
The Kremlin is reviving the brutal methods it used in Syria, and the World Health Organization is refusing to name the crime and its perpetrator.

The World Bank and IMF Are Getting It Wrong on Climate Change
Rich donor countries are working to deprioritize poverty reduction and economic development in the global south.

America’s Middle East Friendships Are Dying a Natural Death
It’s time to recognize they were living on borrowed time.

Will Russia’s Ukraine Invasion Impact the Central African Republic?
Wagner Group mercenaries have transformed the conflict, but the country is still far from a workable peace deal.

The Little Iran Nuclear Deal That Couldn’t
A revived nuclear pact could benefit Washington and Tehran but is proving a hard sell.

U.S. Opens Door to Ukrainian Refugees, Shuts It for Others From Africa
People fleeing conflict in Cameroon wonder why they aren’t getting the same treatment as Ukrainians.

It’s Time to Give the Revolutionary Guards a Concession
An Iranian nuclear deal is more important than the symbolism of a terrorist list.

How Biden Can Rebuild U.S. Ties With the Gulf States
War in Ukraine and Yemen has strained relations between Washington and its Arab allies. Small moves from both sides could put things back on track.

The West Is With Ukraine. The Rest, Not So Much.
Africa and Asia’s long-standing ties to Russia and resentments against Washington keep them on the fence—for now.

Will Inflation Spark Protests in Africa?
The war in Ukraine has led to rising costs for fuel, food, and fertilizer from Ghana and Nigeria to Egypt—and it could trigger instability.

Putin Resorts to Syrian Mercenaries in Ukraine. It’s Not the First Time.
The Kremlin has been recruiting thousands of hardened Syrian fighters to join its war in Ukraine.

The United States’ Clueless Diplomacy Won’t Stop a Nuclear Iran
A new nuclear deal will strengthen the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps without derailing the regime’s long-term ambitions.

Mohammed bin Salman Has Leverage on Biden—and Is Using It
Saudi Arabia’s cooperation on lowering oil prices will come at the cost of the West’s values.

Abbas Is Destroying Democracy to Ensure His Successor Supports Israel
The status quo of military occupation is working well for those at the top of the PLO.

Iran Needs a Cushion, and Europe Needs Gas
Politics in Tehran may finally fall into sync with the commercial logic of expanding energy markets.

The World Must Condemn Human Rights Abuses in Tigray as It Does in Ukraine
International solidarity with Kyiv in the face of Russian aggression is admirable. Tigrayans brutalized by Ethiopia and Eritrea deserve the same.

Can Namibia Avoid the Resource Curse?
A new offshore oil discovery could be a godsend—or disaster—for one of Africa’s most unequal countries.

Biden Should Punish Saudi Arabia for Backing Russia
Riyadh could make a difference in oil markets but has chosen to side with fellow authoritarians rather than the United States.

Erdogan’s War With Arab Monarchies Is Over
With its economy in a tailspin, Turkey is repairing ties with former enemies in the region.

Somaliland Courts U.S. for Independence Recognition
Officials in Washington say no to independence but make room for closer ties.

South Africa’s Self-Defeating Silence on Ukraine
ANC leaders are letting Soviet nostalgia outweigh morality.

Can African Oil and Gas Replace Russia’s?
The continent’s major energy producers are ready to help meet European demand, but they lack the capacity and investment.

Syrian Fighters May End Up on Both Sides of the Ukraine War
Young Syrians have already served as mercenaries elsewhere.


Germany Should Look to Africa for Gas, Not Russia
To stop financing Moscow’s brutal wars, Berlin should help African countries develop their energy sectors.

Islamism Is Ready for a Comeback
The death of political Islam in the Middle East has been greatly exaggerated.

Why Muqtada al-Sadr Failed to Reform Iraq
Iraq’s most recent election promised change but ended up entrenching the establishment.

Russia’s ‘Eleventh-Hour’ Interference in the Iran Deal
Moscow is seeking to use the Iran deal to shield itself from the full effect of Western sanctions.

In Backing Russia on Ukraine, Iran Is on the Wrong Side of History
The self-proclaimed champion of anti-imperialism is now sugarcoating an imperial war.

Africa Has a Climate Funding Shortfall
The IPCC report highlights a major financing gap for climate adaptation research focused on the continent.

Why Naftali Bennett Went to Moscow
Israel says it’s well positioned to mediate a truce between Russia and Ukraine. It also has interests to protect.

Bahrain’s Paranoia About Iran Is Self-Defeating
A new regional alliance is undermining Bahrain’s stability at home.

There Is a Path to Peace in Tigray
Ethiopia can end its civil war by upholding its constitution.

Putin’s War Has Middle Eastern Countries Hedging Their Bets
Washington’s security guarantees now seem worth even less.

Former Israeli Prime Minister: Israel Should Stand Up for Ukraine
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said it’s “inconceivable” that Israel doesn’t stand by its allies and clearly denounce Russia’s invasion.

Fears of a Chinese Naval Base in West Africa Are Overblown
Reports about a possible Atlantic base reveal more about Washington’s military priorities than Beijing’s.

Israel Needs to Make Up Its Mind on Ukraine
The Israeli government is feigning neutrality—but its long-term national interests mean it has no choice but to side with the West.

How the Russia-Ukraine War Impacts Africans
Fleeing African students have been left stranded at the border as a food crisis looms for countries dependent on Russian and Ukrainian grain.

Ending War in Yemen Requires Talk, Not Labels
Designating the Houthis as terrorists will serve only to confirm their existing biases.

Ukraine Crisis Spills Into Yemen Diplomacy
The UAE withholds criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as it seeks Moscow’s diplomatic backing in Yemen.

Targeted Sanctions Can Help Restore Democracy in Sudan
Focusing on key military leaders and their networks can force the regime to change course.

African Leaders Criticize Brussels Over Vaccines
Disagreements over intellectual property waivers for COVID-19 vaccines are hindering closer ties.

Anti-Colonialism Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Human Rights Abuses
Oppression should be condemned, regardless of who is behind it.

The Islamic State Is Capitalizing on Lebanon’s Economic Collapse
A growing number of Lebanese men are deciding their best hopes lie with jihadis next door.

How the Occupation Fuels Tel Aviv’s Booming AI Sector
Israel hones invasive surveillance technology on Palestinians before it is exported abroad.

‘Brink of Catastrophe’: Drought Worsens Humanitarian Crisis in East Africa
Experts warn of the driest conditions in over four decades, fueled in part by climate change.

What Went Wrong With Libya’s Failed Elections
This was the predictable outcome of a deeply flawed process.

A New Iran Deal Means Old Chaos
Rekindling the nuclear deal with Tehran will solve one regional problem—and cause others.

The Afghan Crisis Demands a Coordinated Response on Refugees
This is a chance to display democratic values—and establish a better order.

U.N. Pressures Biden Against Adding Yemen’s Houthi Rebels to Terrorist Blacklist
A return to sanctions would only worsen a humanitarian catastrophe, experts warn.

Rebel-Held Syria Is the New Capital of Global Terrorism
The question of who controls the region around Idlib has become an international problem.

In Iraq, the Bitter Legacy of War Still Lies Hidden Underground
Baghdad can’t rebuild its infrastructure and agricultural sector when its land remains littered with thousands of explosive devices.

Embattled Erdogan Signals Turkish-Israeli Thaw
The ground in the Middle East is shifting yet again.

Will Kais Saied Kill Tunisia’s Democracy?
The country that sparked the Arab Spring could be headed back to permanent authoritarian rule.

Inside the U.S.-Russia Deal that Eases Pressure on Assad
Is it a necessary concession for humanitarian reasons, or part of a trend toward normalization?

The Islamic State Has Become a Resilient Insurgency
The group may no longer have its caliphate, but it’s far from defeated.

Africans Need More Seats at the Tables of Power
Turn the G-20 into the G-21 by adding the African Union.

Qurayshi Is Replaceable
He wasn’t a super creative leader on the battlefield. But he didn’t need to be.

Don’t Blame Amharas for Ethiopia’s War
Peace efforts must address the group’s legitimate fears rather than casting them as the main obstacle to reconciliation.

America’s Silence on Sudan Is Deafening
Washington has sidelined the country’s long-term interests in favor of short-term gains.

The U.S. Is Wrong on Yemen. Again.
The devastating cycle of tit-for-tat attacks between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Houthis will not end via diplomatic doublespeak.

U.S. Security Assistance to Burkina Faso Laid the Groundwork for a Coup
Since 2009, the United States has supported the country’s military with funding, weapons, and training.

Raisi’s Hollow Ploy to Stem Iran’s Brain Drain
Without real reform at home, Iranians will continue to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Africa Responds to Burkina Faso’s Coup
Regional organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS suspended the country’s ruling junta. But do they have double standards when it comes to democracy?

Xi Jinping Has Transformed China’s Middle East Policy
Beijing was once wary of the region. Now, it’s all-in.

Saudi Arabia Is Ratcheting Up the Middle East’s Arms Race
It’s only a matter of time until Saudi military advancements force Iran to respond in kind.

Israel’s Rewarding Road to Normalization
A little over a year after the Abraham Accords, Israel and its new Arab partners are seeing dividends.

Syria Is Neither Stable Nor Safe
An unfinished war has been almost forgotten by the West.

In Yemen, All Sides Are Using Hunger as a Weapon
The Houthis, Saudis, and Emiratis are letting people starve while corruption and mismanagement of aid lines elites’ pockets.

Biya Basks in Soccer Spotlight in Hopes of Propaganda Win
Cameroon’s regime wouldn’t be the first to use sports to whitewash a brutal conflict.

The Middle East’s Conflicts Aren’t Done With the Emirates
Just when the United Arab Emirates thought it was done with focusing on foreign policy, they’re getting pulled back in.

The Iran Nuclear Talks’ Breakout Player
Love him or hate him, Russia’s man in Vienna has become the Iran deal’s unofficial spokesman.

Mali’s Military Doubles Down as Junta Ousts Burkina Faso’s President
West Africa is rocked by yet another coup as the military seizes power in Ouagadougou and holds onto control in Bamako.

How Abiy Ahmed Betrayed Oromia and Endangered Ethiopia
A former government official recounts how the prime minister’s failed reform agenda paved the way for war in Tigray.

Yemen Has Become an Iranian Proxy War Against Israel
The United Arab Emirates faces a militant consequence of the Abraham Accords.

Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Needs to Include Everyone
Excluding key Tigrayan and Oromo leaders will undermine the legitimacy of the process and make it harder to achieve peace.

A New Chapter for Iran and Russia
Will Raisi succeed where previous Iranian regimes have failed?

Iran’s Revolution Is Eating Its Own
By purging veteran politicians, abandoning the pretense of free elections, and letting the welfare state decay, Tehran is playing with fire.

How a Plea Bargain for Netanyahu Could Realign Israeli Politics
The terms offered would keep him out of prison but also out of office.

The U.S. Has a Moral Responsibility to Prevent Assad’s Normalization
The Syrian leader’s crimes will forever be recalled alongside the world’s worst tyrannical butchers.

How Twitter Failed Africa
Big Tech ignored policies that enable disinformation and propaganda across the continent.

Why Has Biden Stopped Pushing for Arab-Israeli Peace?
Not building on the Abraham Accords has been the biggest missed opportunity of his first year.