
Middle East & Africa
List of Middle East & Africa articles

The Revolutionary Potential of the ‘Lagos Model’
Bola Tinubu turned Lagos into a great city. Can he transform all of Nigeria?

6 Swing States Will Decide the Future of Geopolitics
These middle powers of the global south should be the focus of U.S. policy.

Is Saudi-Israeli Normalization Worth It?
It would be a dramatic accomplishment, but not nearly as transformational as many may think.

Iran’s Growing Rift Between Theocrats and Security Elites
In the aftermath of nationwide protests, tensions are rising among the Iranian establishment.

After Synagogue Attack, Tunisia Ignores Elephant in the Room
Kais Saied’s government refuses to reckon with the country’s rampant anti-Semitism.

America’s Evacuation Efforts in Sudan Stall Out
Private groups want to evacuate hundreds more. The Biden administration wants nothing to do with it.

In Sudan, Egypt Faces a Catch-22
But there’s one option for resolving the conflict that just might work.

Erdogan Won by Exploiting Fear
In the midst of uncertainty, people stick with the devil they know.

Guinea Cracks Down on Protesters
After promising democratic reforms, the junta is attacking the press and opposition.

Nigeria’s Last General Departs the Political Stage
Democracy is holding despite social and regional divisions.

Artificial Intelligence Will Entrench Global Inequality
The debate about regulating AI urgently needs input from the global south.

Why the World’s Deadliest Wars Go Unreported
Too much news is routed through London and New York. The capitals of the global south need to step up.

How Erdogan’s Supporters Are Thinking About the Runoffs
As Turkey's centennial nears, its founding secularism may no longer be in fashion—but nationalism is.

Sudan’s Failed Cease-Fire
Warring generals look abroad for support as millions remain displaced.

Beijing and Washington Are Battling Over Africa’s Green Future
The energy transition depends on building partnerships with African states.

U.S. Apathy Paved the Way for China in Africa
Despite a strong foothold during the Cold War, Washington has since fumbled on the continent.

Sugar as Modern Capitalism’s Original Sin
A new book shows its history as anything but sweet.

South Africa’s Nonsensical Nonalignment
The ANC has forgotten that the outside world’s principled rejection of neutrality sustained the struggle against apartheid.

What Israel Can Teach the U.S. About Confronting a Constitutional Crisis
Sometimes you not only need to vote—you also need to vote with your feet.

A South African Scandal Could Shake up Relations With Washington
Do South Africa’s denials that it supplied weapons to Russia ring true?

Why Turkey Experts Got the Election All Wrong
Erdogan’s better-than-expected showing is a reminder that hope isn’t analysis.

How Russia Expands Its Influence in Africa
Wagner Group operations, disinformation efforts, and Western double standards are fueling Moscow’s popularity.

The Geopolitics of U.S. Engagement in Sudan
Washington’s Middle Eastern partners can help prevent Sudan from becoming another Libya.

Where the U.S. Went Wrong in Sudan
Khartoum now faces civil war. What does the U.S. have to do with it?

Why Netflix’s ‘Queen Cleopatra’ Has Egypt up in Arms
Western leaders and filmmakers have long denied the link between modern Egypt and its ancient heritage.

Finally, Rich Countries Recognize Africa’s Right to Use Gas
Blanket bans on gas finance stifle development, hurt climate goals, and reek of hypocrisy.

Saudi Arabia Is Extremely Popular in the Middle East
Mohammed bin Salman’s middle finger to Washington is burnishing Riyadh’s image.

How the U.S. Fumbled Sudan’s Hopes for Democracy
The East African country, once a beacon for change, now faces civil war.

What You Need to Know Ahead of Turkey’s Election
The opposition could win. But what happens if Erdogan loses?

What Most People Get Wrong About the Iran Nuclear Deal
It ensured that even in the worst-case scenario, Iran would be proliferating from a lower baseline.

Washington Should Reconsider Its Economic Gameplan in Africa
China, India, and the Gulf countries have pursued a combination of trade and aid the United States can learn from.

The Problem With Comparing Africa to Asia
Greater ethnic diversity, debt burdens, and democratized politics have complicated Africa’s path to development.

Russia and Iran Have High Hopes for Each Other
But can they cooperate on trade while competing on investment?

The UAE’s China-Nixon Moment Has Arrived
The news on climate change is grim—but the Emirates’ hosting of COP28 could be a breakthrough.

Are China and Russia Bad for Africa? That’s the Wrong Question.
Westerners should ask instead what kind of partnerships their own countries offer to the continent.

Tunisia Doubles Down on Democratic Rollback
Rached Ghannouchi’s arrest and Ali Laarayedh’s imprisonment reveal the extent of Kais Saied’s attack on democracy.

Sudan’s War Might Not Stay in Sudan
A power struggle in the capital, Khartoum, could destabilize neighboring Chad and impact the entire Sahel region.

The Incomplete U.S. Evacuation in Sudan
Lawmakers are worried about an Afghanistan repeat.

Sudan’s Warring Generals Ignore Truce
The fighting in Khartoum continues as embassies evacuate diplomats.

20 Years After Liberation, Iraq Needs Root-and-Branch Reform
The system of government set up after 2003 has run its course.

Hemeti’s Rise in Sudan Is a Threat to Regional Stability
Countries that prefer peace to chaos should hope for a quick army victory over the RSF.

Adam Tooze: A New Middle East?
How the reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia could reorder the region.

When Fighting Is More Rational Than Peacemaking
Sudan’s power struggle is a textbook case of the credible commitment problem in international relations.

Scoop: U.S. Military Chief Working the Phones to Halt Sudan Conflict
The top U.S. general is the latest to try to end the six days of fighting that has killed 300 people.

In Sudan, U.S. Policies Paved the Way for War
A misguided effort to integrate the RSF into the Sudanese Armed Forces led to a tragic but predictable conflict.

U.S. Readies New Sanctions on Warring Sudanese Forces
Some officials privately worry it’s too little, too late.

Tunisia Was Right to Reject the IMF Deal
A third bailout package will not provide long-term assurances for Tunisia’s economy and will exacerbate inequalities.

What the Russia-Iran Arms Deals Mean for the Middle East
Moscow’s weapons could sabotage the spirit of reconciliation rippling through the region.

Western Governments Look to Escape the ‘Nightmare’ in Sudan
Officials fear evacuations are easier said than done as fighting sweeps through Khartoum.

Sudan Descends Into Conflict as Rival Generals Clash
The long-brewing power struggle between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has plunged the country into civil war.

Is the Party Over in Nigeria?
Personality rules in a country where political parties were once kingmakers.

A Dose of Cautious Optimism on Yemen
Peace negotiations are picking up pace to end the deadly conflict.

Why International Private Schools Are Booming in Africa
After China’s crackdown, foreign education providers eye opportunities in countries such as Nigeria and Egypt.

The Arab Autocrat’s New Religious Playbook
Middle Eastern leaders are promoting interfaith initiatives to disguise harsh policies at home and abroad.

The New Politics of an Urbanizing Uganda
The battle for urban space in Kampala shows how Africa’s informal workers are rattling ruling regimes.

Adam Tooze: The Mixed Record of South Africa’s Economy Since Apartheid
Its GDP has surged, but deep inequalities persist.

Why Palestinians Aren’t Joining Israel’s Protests
A state that considers equality an existential threat can never be a democracy.

Why Isn’t the U.S. in Libya?
Outside powers take a growing interest in this oil-rich African state where the U.S. Embassy has been closed since 2014.

The Real Motivation Behind Iran’s Deal With Saudi Arabia
The agreement is about far more than just normalizing ties with Riyadh.

OPEC+ Cut Shows Saudi Geopolitical Ambitions
Riyadh is shifting to non-alignment—and fighting to dominate oil markets again.

Israel Is Somewhere It’s Never Been Before
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s effort to weaken Israel’s democracy—and the public’s stunning resistance—has unsettled the country.

Iraq’s Story Isn’t Over
The ideal vision for Iraq post-2003 did not materialize as foreseen, but this should not be the sole prism through which we judge the country now.

Congress Has the Power to Halt U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
If Biden is genuinely committed to human rights, he won’t stand in the way of a bipartisan Senate resolution.

Beijing Doesn’t Know Who to Blame for Gold Mine Murders
The attack in the Central African Republic may tie back to rebels—or Russian mercenaries.

The New Palestinian Resistance
Young militants are ditching old-style factionalism to fight Israel’s occupation.

Can Harris’s Visit Shore Up U.S. Relations With Africa?
The vice president’s trip is the latest effort to counter Moscow’s and Beijing’s influence on the continent.

In Israel, It’s Gatekeepers 1, Bibi 0
The bureaucrats side with the protesters, forcing Netanyahu to delay a key vote.

What America’s Civil War Can Teach Us About Israel’s
Israeli protesters may not realize it yet, but the only way they can protect their own rights and democracy is by allying with Palestinians.

Ehud Barak: Why Netanyahu Will Fall
A former Israeli prime minister explains why he thinks people power will prevail.

Adam Tooze: Why Iraq’s Economy Never Recovered From the U.S. Invasion
In the 1980s, it had one of the most advanced economies in the Arab world.

Netanyahu’s Legal Crusade Is Sparking a Military Backlash in Israel
Top generals worry about the fate of liberal democracy—and that the country’s enemies see mass refusal among reservists as an opportunity to strike.

Russia’s Disinformation Machine Has a Middle East Advantage
Russian state-run media outlets have spread the Kremlin’s Ukraine war narrative effectively in the region.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing
The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.

Climate Change Wreaks Havoc in Southern Africa
Cyclone Freddy displaced more than 400,000, confirming scientists’ worst fears about extreme weather caused by global warming.

Libya Wants Elections but Needs More Than a Ballot Box
More than a decade after the country’s plunge into chaos, there are two governments and little governance.

Why Washington Should Say No to Riyadh
Saudi Arabia wants a formal alliance in exchange for normalizing ties with Israel, but the focus of any deal must be U.S. national interests, not an ally’s.

How U.S. Evangelicals Helped Homophobia Flourish in Africa
Anti-gay sentiment had previously existed on the continent, but white American religious groups have given it a boost.

Russian Mercenaries Are Pushing France Out of Central Africa
The Wagner Group’s propaganda has a clear target: Paris.

Iraq Must Not Squander Another Opportunity to Rebuild
The war’s legacy is 20 years of broken hopes and dreams. This government must do better.

The Lessons Not Learned From Iraq
Twenty years on, the war still shapes policy—mostly for the worse.

China Is Tweaking Its Propaganda for African Audiences
A concerted media campaign has not done much for Beijing’s image.

Nigeria’s Kingmakers Are Still in Control
Divisive politics and historical power structures helped Bola Tinubu win.

China’s Iran-Saudi Deal May Not Stick
Beijing will have a tough time balancing ties with Riyadh and Tehran.

Mali’s Constitutional Crisis
Coup leaders’ moves could imperil democratic transition and further strain ties between African states and the West.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.

4 Key Takeaways From the China-Brokered Saudi-Iran Deal
Anyone who believes we’re on the cusp of a golden era between Tehran and Riyadh should lie down until the feeling passes.

Ethiopia Is Not Ready for Transitional Justice
Washington should not engage with the country’s government unless it pursues accountability for war crimes.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Nigeria’s Flawed Election Risks a Democratic Backslide
The international community cannot afford to give up on Nigeria’s vast democratic promise.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Does the United States Have More Leverage Over Israel Than It Thinks?
The beleaguered Netanyahu government needs Washington’s backing on Iran—but unpopular judicial reforms and casual talk of ethnic cleansing could imperil it.

The Next Superpower Battlefield Could Be Under the Sea in Africa
U.S. assistance in developing tech infrastructure could help achieve Washington’s strategic and diplomatic goals by countering Russia and China.

Arab States’ Rigid Economies Are a Ticking Time Bomb
Regimes are rewarding economic insiders and ignoring outsiders at their peril.

U.S. Weighs Offering Economic Lifeline to Ethiopia Despite War Atrocities
The internal administration debate comes ahead of Blinken’s plans to visit Africa.

It’s Tinubu’s Turn to Fix Nigeria’s Broken System
For the president-elect to make the next four years a success for Nigeria, he’ll have to create a new political ethos for his country.

Bola Tinubu’s Pyrrhic Victory
Nigeria’s new president will immediately face pressures from within his party, the opposition, and the majority of voters who didn’t back him.

Tunisia’s Racist Backlash Sparks Condemnation and Evacuations
Kais Saied’s xenophobia against Black Africans has prompted many governments to charter flights to repatriate their citizens.

Ethnic Killings by West African Armies Are Undermining Regional Security
By joining hands with militias that target Fulani civilians, state forces risk sparking a wider conflict.

U.S. Hailed Nigeria Election Results While Election Observers Cried Foul
When and how Washington congratulates foreign leaders on contentious election victories matters.

The West Must Do More to Prevent Conflict With Iran
Washington is right to counter Iran's brutality at home and abroad, but that shouldn't stop it from engaging with an adversary to preserve regional peace.

Iran Doubles Down on Arms for Russia
Despite fresh salvos of Western sanctions, Tehran and Moscow are buddying up on defense ties.

Tunisia’s Kais Saied Is Doubling Down on Xenophobia
As the country’s financial crisis worsens and Saied’s popularity wanes, the president has decided to scapegoat Black migrants and condone violence against them.

Unconditional U.S. Support of Israel Fuels Jewish Extremist Violence
The Israeli far right sees Washington’s refusal to get tough on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as a green light for ethnic cleansing.

Why Israel’s Establishment Is Revolting
Centrist Israelis ignored the occupation and settlements for years, but they are up in arms about judicial reforms that threaten the economy—and their self-image.

Tensions Escalate After Nigeria Election Results
Former President Obasanjo warns: “Danger looming ahead.”

Corruption Is the Iranian Regime’s Achilles’ Heel
Washington should do a better job exploiting it.

What Would It Mean for Nigeria to Elect an Igbo President?
Peter Obi doesn’t want to be defined by his ethnicity. But in a country still haunted by the Biafran War, his election would be a symbolic milestone.

Young Tunisians Don’t Trust Kais Saied Anymore
Those who once supported the president and his coup are starting to doubt his ability to rescue the country amid an economic crisis.

Netanyahu Faces His Own ‘Israeli Spring’
Protesters in Israel are rallying to oppose an extremist and fundamentalist government that is trying to change the status quo and reshape the country’s character.

Iraq’s Damage Created a Strain of Permanent American Defeatism
Accepting U.S. failures doesn't mean giving dictators a free hand.

What Nigeria’s Next President Can Learn From China
The country’s hope lies in the example of a rapidly reforming China at the turn of the 1980s.

The Deadly Toll of Erdogan’s War on Academia
The fault lines between the Turkish government and universities have increased the fallout from the country’s earthquakes.

African Union Ousts Israeli Diplomat
Old enmities resurface as Netanyahu’s efforts for a diplomatic reset in Africa are tested.

Adam Tooze: How China and India Could Transform the Chocolate Business
A rise in worldwide consumption would test an industry built largely on exploitation.

Can Buses Drive Change for Jordanian Women?
In a country where poor transit has long been a barrier to equal opportunity, a new public bus project could prompt a broader shift.

Don’t Rely on Assad to Get Aid to Syria’s Earthquake Victims
The announcement of border openings is reversible, and it won’t stop the regime’s ongoing obstruction of aid to rebel-held areas.

Will Nigeria’s Cash Chaos Impact Elections?
Less than two weeks before the tightest presidential vote in Nigeria’s history, the country is running short on cash, gas, and patience.

‘An Unprecedented Constitutional Crisis’
What Netanyahu’s assault on the Supreme Court means for Israel.

The IMF Has Too Many Economists for Its Own Good
The Fund's bailouts for Egypt had one big problem: they weren't designed by country experts.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Real Victims Aren’t in Crypto
Charity can’t be dependent on the whims of billionaires.

How Lebanon Can Unlock Its Oil and Gas Wealth
A new maritime deal with Israel could be an economic lifeline for Lebanon—if the government in Beirut can get its act together.

Persian Gulf States May Be the Best Mediators for Peace in Ukraine
The Gulf Cooperation Council has maintained links to both Russia and the West.

Nigeria’s Alleged Forced Abortion Campaign Demands Action
For too long, the international community has ignored the Nigerian military’s abuses.

Why Russia Markets Itself as an Anti-Colonial Power to Africans
Colonial exceptionalism and a victim mentality are integral to Russia’s self-image.

Netanyahu Has Drawn a Saudi-U.S. Road Map
But Joe Biden shouldn’t play along.

Zambia Takes Anglo American to Court
A landmark class-action lawsuit in South Africa could set a precedent for holding multinational corporations responsible for environmental damages.

Syria’s Earthquake Victims Are Trapped by Assad
Russia left the war-torn region with only a single border crossing—and it’s no longer open for aid.

Egypt Needs Democracy to Fix Its Economy
Sisi’s mismanagement has plunged the country into crisis. Both political and economic reform is needed to save it.

Why Security Cooperation With Israel Is a Lose-Lose for Abbas
West Bank coordination is vital to Mahmoud Abbas’s and the Palestinian Authority’s survival. It’s also hugely unpopular among ordinary Palestinians.

The Yemeni Employees the U.S. Left Behind
The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa relocated to Saudi Arabia after the Houthi takeover. Local workers who remained felt abandoned.

The Deeper Reason Netanyahu Won’t Arm Ukraine Against Russia
Jerusalem’s ties to Moscow are partly about security. They’re also about illiberalism.

New Military Offensives Put al-Shabab Terrorist Group on the Back Foot
Can Somalia finally defeat al-Shabab?

5 Ways Biden Can Thread the Needle With Israel’s New Coalition
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new right-wing government presents the Biden administration with some unpalatable and inconvenient choices.

Something Has to Give in Postwar Syria
Thirteen years of constant crisis is heading toward inevitable breakdown.

What’s Causing Africa’s Debt Crisis?
Low tax revenues, high-interest loans, and superpower squabbling over debt relief have made matters worse for African governments.

Iran’s Regime Plays with Fire in Baluchistan
Stirring sectarian tensions in the country’s poorest province is a dangerous game.

Conscription Is Not an Excuse for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Here’s why forced enlistment should not be a barrier to listing the Guard as a terrorist organization.

Is Israel’s Democracy America’s Problem?
The Biden administration has a big decision to make about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s slide toward illiberalism.

Is Kais Saied Losing His Grip on Tunisia?
Tunisians are taking to the streets—rather than voting—as the economy collapses, but they remain deeply divided.

Amazon’s New Africa HQ Pits Indigenous South Africans Against Each Other
The planned development will bring jobs, but raises questions about who speaks for Khoi and San peoples, what is sacred, and how to commemorate injustice.

Why Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Want Iran’s Regime to Fall
Riyadh seeks to leverage ongoing anti-government protests to extract geopolitical concessions from Tehran—not effect regime change.

Will Less Democracy Kill Israel’s Tech Sector?
Several firms pull investments over Bibi’s plan to weaken the judiciary.

How Russia’s Wagner Group Is Fueling Terrorism in Africa
Moscow’s scramble for valuable resources has come at the cost of regional security.

Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.

How South Africa’s Energy Crisis Became an Economic Crisis
Rolling power cuts, a failing grid, widespread coal theft, and corruption could pose a political threat to the African National Congress.

‘They Have to Balance’: New Iraqi Leader Tilts the Scales Toward U.S.
Mohammed al-Sudani’s public support of U.S. troops reflects a behind-the-scenes shift—and the continued threat from the Islamic State.

What the Rise of Drone Warfare Means for Palestinians
Whether armed or not, drones function as a form of psychological terror for those living underneath them.

Tigrayans Need a Path Home After Abiy’s War
Ethiopia can only recover morally and economically by welcoming refugees back.

Is Geopolitics Damaging Industry?
FP convenes a discussion with four top global executives at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Why China and Egypt Are Growing Closer
As the Egyptian economy falters, Sisi is turning to the Chinese government for support.

What Europe Stole From Africa
Imperial powers didn’t just steal art and artifacts. They stole Africa’s future.

Iran’s Protests Are Nowhere Near Revolutionary
Many say the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement will threaten the regime this year. They’re wrong.

Washington Is Oblivious to the Importance of Saudi Reforms
The kingdom’s transformation has huge implications for the United States and Middle East.

Biden Is About to Have His Hands Full in the Middle East
Iran and Israel may set Washington’s agenda for the next two years.

Ukraine Shows What Unity on Human Rights Can Achieve
Governments must not limit their moral outrage to situations that serve their short-term interests.

How Algeria Became Indispensable
Riding an energy export boom, the North African country is flexing its economic and diplomatic muscle.

2023’s Most Important Election Isn’t Where You Think
Why the world’s eyes will be—or should be—on Nigeria in the coming weeks.

Iran and Russia Are Closer Than Ever Before
They’ve found common ground on the battlefield in Ukraine, but not everyone in Tehran is happy about it.

10 Conflicts to Watch in 2023
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still reverberating around the world—and setting the stage for more large-scale violence to come.

What to Watch in Africa in 2023
Nigeria’s pivotal elections and other trends that will shape the continent next year.

Iran’s Revolutionary Year
Why Iran’s Gen Z is protesting, and why the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps won’t back down. These articles explain Tehran’s difficult 2022.

A Weakened Saied Spells Trouble for Tunisia
Saturday’s poor voter turnout has cost President Kais Saied political capital at home and abroad.


How Africa Can Avoid Getting Scrambled
African leaders must be more imaginative and proactive in pooling their efforts and setting the agenda.

Will Ethiopia’s Peace Deal Last?
Without political reform, economic stability, and accountability, there is a risk conflict could resume.

How China’s Appetite for Rosewood Fuels Illegal Logging in Ghana
Soaring demand for luxury furniture in Asia is decimating Ghana’s forests while creating a lucrative but environmentally destructive industry.

A Narrow Escape, a Massacre, an Invite to Washington
U.S. officials hatched a plan to smuggle Chad’s pro-democracy leader to safety—while Washington planned to fete his tormentor.

Team Qatar Wanted Immigrant Players—Not Citizens
Athletes with “mission passports” are a symptom of the region’s erosion of citizenship rights.

Why Saudis Don’t Want to Pivot to China
For Saudis like me, nothing could be more disheartening than a divorce from the United States.

Consensus Politics Has Failed Tunisia
An opposition boycott of Saturday’s election may be too little, too late.

To Tackle Poverty in Africa, Provide Job Training for Teenage Girls
Skills training programs must target those under age 18 to reduce adolescent birth rates and unemployment.

Are Autocratic Allies Damaging U.S. and EU Credibility?
From Equatorial Guinea’s leverage over Washington to Qatar’s scandal in Brussels, small resource-rich states are flexing their diplomatic muscle.

Biden Seeks to Catch Up With Beijing in Africa
If showing up is half the battle, China may still have the advantage.

Qatar’s World Cup Legacy Is Stranded Worker Widows
The World Cup is ending, but trouble is far from over for the families of guest workers.

Will Waging War in Syria Save Erdogan?
Turkey’s president appears to be betting on conflict to bolster his political prospects in 2023.

The Tragedy of Pro-Palestinian Activism at the World Cup
Protests at the World Cup are basically meaningless on the ground, where a conflict exists that has no solution.

Will Qatar Always Be Rich?
Natural gas has made Doha wildly prosperous, but can it last in the era of climate change?

Biden Plays Nice With Equatorial Guinea to Spoil China’s Atlantic Ambitions
The world’s longest-serving autocrat will be feted this week in Washington.

A New U.S. Approach in Africa: Good Governance, Not Guns
The U.S. counterterrorism strategy in Africa isn’t working, and it hasn’t for decades. It’s time for a new approach.

How the U.S. Can Compromise With Turkey on Syria
Washington should build on past three-way Turkey-U.S.-SDF arrangements to put a real offer on the table.

How Protests and Crackdowns Can Exacerbate Climate Change
Rather than relying on tear gas, water cannons, and tanks, governments should implement greener counterprotest measures.

Xi’s Saudi Visit Shows Riyadh’s Monogamous Marriage to Washington Is Over
In today’s Cold War 2.0, not only will Saudi Arabia refuse to choose sides, but it’s also likely to move closer to Beijing and Moscow.

U.S. Rivals Are Facing Unrest. Is It Due to Luck or Skill?
Mass protests create a favorable environment for intelligence agencies—but the CIA should tread carefully in China, Iran, and Russia.

Iran Is Conceding Much Less Than It Seems
The morality police force may have been disbanded, but enforced morality will remain.

South Africa’s President Hangs On
Despite a scandal and damning report, Cyril Ramaphosa has managed to stay in charge of his party and the country.

Chad’s Coup Leader Stops Democracy in Its Tracks
Chad’s transitional government asserts its power with violent repression.

Biden Can’t Denounce Russia’s Annexations and Ignore Israel’s
From the Baltic Republics to Crimea, Washington has opposed forcible annexation—and the Golan Heights should be no exception.

Can America Do Anything at All to Encourage Democracy?
As uprisings happen in China and Iran, it’s no accident the United States hasn’t been involved.

Biden’s Big Africa Summit Carefully Sidesteps China
In a U-turn from the Trump administration, Team Biden wants to court African nations without talking about Beijing.

Iran Is Filling Armenia’s Power Vacuum
Tehran has been eager to make up for Russia’s newfound absence in the South Caucasus.

Turkey Threatens Another Syria Invasion
A NATO ally once again looks like a frenemy.

Biden’s Iran Envoy: Sanctions Are ‘Not the Answer’
Robert Malley on the stalled nuclear deal and Washington’s plan to help Iran’s protesters.

Will the U.N. Tax Convention Empower Africa?
Global tax reforms resisted by richer nations could reduce reliance on tax havens and bring much-needed revenue to African governments.

A U.S.-Iranian Standoff at the World Cup—and Beyond
Off the playing field, Iran’s protests and ongoing uranium enrichment have heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

No Justice. No Peace.
Post-apartheid South Africa remains steeped in the “rainbow nation” ideals of reconciliation and forgiveness—but it has never truly reckoned with accountability.

Qatar Can’t Hide Its Abuses by Calling Criticism Racist
Migrant workers from South Asia and Africa have suffered for years under the Gulf nation’s kafala system. They deserve compensation for wage theft, injuries, and death.

The World’s Most Remote Film Festival
Deep in the Algerian desert, a Sahrawi-run event puts Western Sahara’s struggle for liberation on the big screen.

What Iranian Human Rights Defenders Can Learn From Syria and Beyond
Justice is unattainable without evidence. Documenting abuses by gathering and archiving this evidence must be a priority.

Don’t Ignore Qatar’s Progress on Labor
Critics of the World Cup host nation overlook the reforms the government has undertaken.

Can African-Led Diplomacy Bring Peace in Congo?
After a surprise peace deal in Ethiopia, there is hope for progress in talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.