
Middle East & Africa
List of Middle East & Africa articles

Iran Is Doubling Down on Headscarves
One year after an uprising over women’s rights, the government has passed a harsh new hijab law.

Wagner’s African Hosts Regret Letting Them In
Libyans, among others, are sick of the Russian mercenaries.

South African History From Above
A sweeping new history of the country focuses primarily on elites, rather than the grassroots movements that overturned apartheid.

How Division and Disorder Led to Devastation in Libya
Poor global and domestic governance made a foreseeable and preventable disaster in Derna a catastrophe.

Bibi’s Dead-End Road to Riyadh
Netanyahu wants a normalization deal with the Saudis, but his hard-right coalition partners will undermine his plans.

No, the World Is Not Multipolar
The idea of emerging power centers is popular but wrong—and could lead to serious policy mistakes.

BRICS Invitation Puts Argentina in a Tough Spot
Ahead of a presidential election, debate in Buenos Aires reveals the mounting challenges of multi-alignment.

Why Everyone Is Courting Mauritania
NATO, China, Russia, and regional powers all want closer ties to a stable West African nation with crucial energy supplies and a strategically valuable location.

U.S. Sudan Sanctions Won’t Work Without the UAE’s Help
Washington must lean on Abu Dhabi to halt its support for Hemeti’s RSF.

How China Uses Shipping for Surveillance and Control
Beijing’s global maritime operations double as intelligence-gathering outposts.

How Tunisia Became Europe’s Border Guard
Another crackdown is targeting Black Africans seeking to enter the EU.

Why Did Last Year’s Protest Movement in Iran Fail?
The supreme leader learned what not to do from the Shah.

‘We’ll Start Digging Here’
Unusually virulent weather and poor infrastructure have brought hell to eastern Libya.

Washington Must Not Allow Another Stolen Election in Congo
Fear of Chinese influence must not take precedence over protecting democracy.

What in the World?
Test yourself on the week of Sept. 9: An earthquake devastates Morocco, Kim Jong Un leaves Pyongyang for a key summit, and a French official is arrested abroad.

Is the G-20 Useless?
As another multilateral forum issued a watered-down statement, Russia and North Korea met to deepen military ties.

Why Clashes in Northern Syria Threaten U.S. Strategy in the Region
An outbreak of Arab-Kurdish violence threatens to upset the delicate balance that kept the Islamic State and other U.S. adversaries at bay.

The End of America’s Middle East
The region’s four major countries have all forfeited Washington’s trust.

Biden Is Letting Saudi Arabia Get Away With Murder, Again
Riyadh’s forces are killing defenseless Ethiopian migrants at its border, and Washington and its allies don’t seem to care.

Why the Oslo Peace Process Failed
And what it means for future negotiators.

Gabon’s Palace Coup
How the extended Bongo family ousted a president but maintained its control of the country.

What in the World?
Test yourself on the week of Sept. 2: A new development in Guatemala’s election, China’s charm offensive, and African leaders’ call to the international community.

A Challenge to British Impunity in Kenya
A parliamentary inquiry into an alleged 2012 murder by British soldiers is causing a diplomatic crisis for the U.K. government.

Erdogan Has No Choice but to Reconcile With Assad
The Turkish leader is in a weak position to dictate the terms of what the new normal with Syria will be.

Saudi Arabia Really Wants You to Think It’s Cool
The desert kingdom’s rebranding project goes way beyond sportswashing. But it’s all a little too contrived.

What’s Driving Africa’s Coups?
The factors that have contributed to instability in the region.

The Gulf Is Playing Hardball With European Soccer
Critics say petrodollars are wrecking the beautiful game—in a way that rubles, euros, and baht never quite did.

France’s Concern for Gabon’s Democracy Is Too Little, Too Late
Paris is complicit in the lack of social and democratic progress that prompted the coup.

India Can Benefit From a Bigger BRICS
The bloc’s new members include countries New Delhi is keen to expand ties with.

How U.N. Peacekeeping Accidentally Fuels Africa’s Coups
Foreign funds can produce stronger and less accountable militaries.

Egypt’s Sisi Rules by Fear—and Is Ruled by It
By falsely labeling all critics as Muslim Brotherhood shills, the Egyptian president shows how scared he really is.

Uganda’s Brewing Succession Crisis Is Fracturing Its Ruling Regime
The president’s son is a loose cannon—and he’s angling for his father’s job.

Peace With Israel Means War With Iran
There’s a dangerous flip side to Saudi Arabia’s potential new diplomatic deal.

BRICS Expansion Could Help Egypt’s Ailing Economy
New additions to the bloc from Africa are linked by their opposition to a Western-dominated financial system.

BRICS Expansion Is No Triumph for China
But it is a warning shot for the West to end its strategic slumber in the global south.

Is Niger’s Coup the Sahel’s Last Straw?
Calls grow for Washington to reset its Africa strategy, but old habits die hard.

Demography Is Destiny in Africa
Rapid population growth is about to hit the countries whose economies and climates are least equipped to handle it.

Turkey’s Halt on Iraqi Oil Exports Is Shaking Up Global Markets
A diplomatic deadlock over a 50-year-old pipeline agreement is wreaking havoc in the region—and beyond.

Russia Doesn’t Want a War in Niger
Moscow relishes being a player in Africa, but committing to another foreign war wouldn’t serve its interests.

Wagner’s Brand Was Built on Extreme Violence
In death, Yevgeny Prigozhin got a taste of his own messaging medicine.

Bibi Isn’t Serious About Preventing a Regional Nuclear Arms Race
Benjamin Netanyahu has long warned of the perils of a nuclear Middle East. Now he seems willing to allow Saudi nukes in exchange for normalization.

The Somali Underdogs Taking on Terrorists
Inside the U.S.-led training program which aims to finally eradicate al-Shabab.

Why the BRICS Aren’t Crumbling in Africa
Despite Russia’s decline and China’s economic woes, the idea of a nondollarized economy has strong appeal across the continent.

India Can’t Cut the Cord From China
Amid a stalemate at the border, it’s clear that Xi Jinping still has the upper hand.

An Iranian-Led Coup Still Needed America’s Help
Despite revisionist claims, documents show the critical U.S. role in Mosaddeq’s fall.

Zimbabwe’s ‘White Gold’
Harare has Africa’s largest lithium reserves and Beijing is poised to benefit, despite an export ban.

Iran’s Grand Strategy Has Fundamentally Shifted
Tehran has shifted to using carrots in the region—and reserving sticks for the United States and Israel.

There Are No Good Deals With Iran
But the Biden administration’s latest negotiations with Tehran are still the best option available.

The Caspian Sea Is a Sanctions-Busting Paradise
Ghost voyages and dark port calls by Russian and Iranian vessels are enabling both countries to circumvent Western sanctions and thrive in a shadow economy.

What to Know About Niger’s Coup
Is it a turning point for geopolitics in Africa?

The Word That Captures Nigerians’ Feelings About the Future
“Japa” contains both the hope and the pain of wanting to leave one’s country behind for better opportunities.

The Shadow of the Next Pandemic Looms in a Virus Hotspot
Low vaccination coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo raises the risk of diseases spreading and adapting undetected.

How Sisi Ruined Egypt
The coup leader-turned-president promised Egyptians prosperity, but the country is flat broke.

Africa After Prigozhin Is an Opportunity for the West
Despite Moscow’s best attempts at controlling the narrative, there exists a power vacuum in the region—and a need to rethink alliances.

Will Niger’s Neighbors Intervene?
ECOWAS has threatened armed intervention but a lack of popular support in Nigeria and bellicose rhetoric from Mali and Burkina Faso could make the bloc think twice.

Sam Altman Has a Plan to Tame the AI He Unleashed
Worldcoin trades cryptocurrency for eyeball scans, creating a global ID database and scaring the willies out of privacy experts.

Niger’s Coup Is a Turning Point for Africans
The crisis has created a truly geopolitical moment for intra-African politics.

Why the Wagner Group Won’t Leave Africa
The mercenary group is a product of the system Putin built, and he can’t dismantle it without undermining Moscow’s global influence.

Military Intervention in Niger Is Bound to Fail
Nigeria has understandable security concerns, but using force to dislodge Niger’s junta could spark a refugee crisis and regional war.

The Arab Gulf’s New Nationalism
Ambitious leaders in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are restructuring national identity to solidify their rule.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s Survival Is Now in Question
Turkey has turned its back on the Islamist group, eliminating one of its last safe havens.

Niger’s Coup Is West Africa’s Biggest Challenge Yet
ECOWAS’s Sunday deadline to reimpose Niger’s president could be the starting pistol for war across West Africa.

Adam Tooze: Economic Pressure Is Unlikely to Save Israel From Authoritarianism
Investors tend to stay, even after countries become less democratic.

Sudan’s Failed Democracy Is a Disaster for Women
Women helped bring down the country’s Islamist dictator—and are still stuck with fundamentalism.

Does U.S. Military Training Embolden Coup Plotters in Africa?
Weak institutions and underdevelopment also plague nations led by undemocratic regimes.

Niger Is Not Just a Western Problem
The whole region wants to jump into the fray.

Backdoor Negotiations Over Ukraine Would Be a Disaster
Mediation offers from China aren’t made in good faith.

Israel’s Supreme Court Must Not Repeat Hungary’s Mistake
The judiciary needs to strike down Netanyahu’s judicial reform before he turns Israel into a sham democracy—just as Viktor Orban did in Hungary.

Africa’s Critical Minerals Could Power America’s Green Energy Transition
Biden’s IRA is shutting African countries out of supply chains for critical minerals. Including them would be a strategic and diplomatic win.

Lebanon Is a Global Sanctuary for Criminals
A growing list of people protected from justice highlights a pervasive culture of impunity.

Who Benefits From Niger’s Coup?
Most global powers with a military presence or financial stake in the country stand to lose from instability—and that could put pressure on the military junta.

Women Will Be the Biggest Victims of Israel’s Judicial Reforms
The country’s Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in securing gender equality. Neutering it will deal a blow to women’s rights.

Will Nigeria Reclaim Its Role as a Regional Power?
Bola Tinubu’s new role as ECOWAS chair, and the coup in Niger, present an opportunity for a foreign-policy reset.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative Is Not About Hungry Kids in Africa
The image of starving Africans may score propaganda points for the West, but Russia’s suspension of the deal arguably does more harm to wealthier countries.

The Palestinian Leader Who Survived the Death of Palestine
What would it mean for Hussein al-Sheikh to lead a people whose dream of independence is no longer alive?

How the West Could Actually Help the Sahel
For years, Western policies have only paid lip service to seeing the Sahel in terms of its own immense problems.

Biden Cracks Down on the Spyware Scourge
But Europe and Israel have yet to take surveillance abuses seriously.

Whatever Happened to Al Qaeda?
The once-powerful organization’s disappearance from headlines and the broader foreign-policy conversation is remarkable.

Normalizing Assad Has Made Syria’s Problems Even Worse
Making nice with Assad was supposed to help stabilize the country. It has done the opposite.

Reading ‘Lolita’? Not in Tehran.
Iran’s vibrant tradition of literature translation is becoming collateral damage in the Raisi regime’s retrograde cultural agenda.

What in the World?
Test yourself on the week of July 22: Spain heads to the polls, Israel forces through a judicial overhaul, and Putin courts African leaders.

Will Israel’s Supreme Court Fight Back?
Justices are asked to stem Netanyahu’s authoritarian drift.

The Power of Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Has Peaked
Secular Israelis fear the growing Haredi population will give religious parties more power. Economics and labor market trends suggest their power is fading.

Beijing Is Going Places—and Building Naval Bases
Here are the top destinations that might be next.

Is the Wagner Group a Terrorist Organization?
The answer could have wide-ranging implications for U.S. policy in Africa and beyond

Why Biden Is in a Bind on Israel
There are limits to what U.S. President Joe Biden may be willing and able to do when intervening in the politics and governance of a close ally.

What Does Turkey Actually Want?
Despite the policy whiplash at the NATO summit, Erdogan has been remarkably consistent in his foreign-policy goals.

The Moral Flaw in the Case Against Returning African Art
The argument that African countries should be disqualified from getting back their stolen artifacts because of past sins is deeply hypocritical.

The Cradle of Civilization Is Drying Up
Climate change endangers the Tigris and Euphrates—but it’s not the only reason the rivers are vanishing.

Israel’s Protesters Refuse to Be Donkeys
An entire generation is taking to the streets to resist what they see as the rise of a corrupt theocracy.

Will Bola Tinubu’s Reforms Help or Harm Nigeria?
Removing fuel subsidies and floating the naira’s exchange rate may please international lenders, but the policies could trap millions in poverty.

Young Americans Are Swinging Toward Palestine’s Cause
Israel’s support of right-wing politics abroad has backfired.

Inside the Desperate Diplomatic Efforts to Salvage U.S.-South Africa Ties
South Africa’s support for Russia after its invasion of Ukraine has incensed some in Washington.

What the Wagner Mutiny Means for China in Africa
When it comes to increasing its security footprint abroad, Beijing is facing a conundrum in reconciling Maoist doctrine with contemporary reality.

Lebanon Is Still Littered With Land Mines
Sappers are working to clear the land of a deadly past.

Will Biden Finally Invite Netanyahu to the White House?
Seven months after the formation of the Israeli government, the prime minister still hasn’t been asked to visit Washington.

How Sudan Became a Saudi-UAE Proxy War
Gulf heavyweights view the conflict as an opportunity to cement their hegemonic status in the Middle East.

America Is Pushing Its Security Ideas on a Lukewarm Middle East
Rare consensus in Washington is an opportunity the Gulf countries and Israel should not waste.

Don’t Let Ethiopia Avoid Accountability
Restoring Washington’s ties with Addis Ababa must not come at the expense of justice for victims of human rights violations.

Erdogan’s Long Arm Threatens Kurdish Exiles in Sweden
Those who fled Turkey are now facing extradition as Ankara seeks concessions from Stockholm before approving its NATO bid.

Recycling Old Ideas Won’t Avoid Another Jenin
Western experts are putting forward failed policies rather than reckoning with the damage Israeli apartheid has caused.

4 Inconvenient Realities of Israel’s Jenin Operation
Israelis and Palestinians remain trapped in a volatile, bloody cul-de-sac with little prospect of a way out.

Why a Weak Abbas Is Dangerous for Israel
Without a strong and respected Palestinian Authority, Israel won’t accomplish its ambitious diplomatic goals or restore security.

Is Cameroon the Next Sudan?
The political divisions and military rivalries that sparked civil war in Khartoum could erupt in post-Biya Yaoundé.

The Wagner Mutiny Could Strengthen Iran in Syria
Putin faces a choice between punishing Prigozhin and ceding influence and territory to Tehran.

Do Democracies Always Deliver?
As authoritarian capitalism gains credibility, free societies must overcome their internal weaknesses.

Lessons for the Next Arab Spring
Ten years after Egypt’s coup, Washington has yet to learn that authoritarian stability is an illusion.

India Has Become a Middle Eastern Power
It’s time to take New Delhi’s projection of power in the region seriously.

U.S. Envoy Pick Reveals Battle Over Sudan Policy
Biden’s detractors worry the U.S. administration is doubling down on policy failures in Sudan.

U.S. Lifts Human Rights Violation Designation on Ethiopia
The decision, despite evidence of ongoing abuses, clears the way to new economic aid.

Support Sudan’s Revolution, Not an Elite Peace Deal
Foreign powers’ obsessive focus on a transition process empowered generals and weakened democracy activists, paving the way to war.

Will Wagner Stay in Africa?
A mutiny in Russia could have consequences for the mercenary group’s activities abroad.

U.S. Levies New Sanctions on Wagner Group
Biden targets Wagner in Africa, even if its fate is uncertain in Russia.

A Saudi-Israeli Peace Deal Isn’t Worth It
Why the United States will regret putting effort into its latest Middle East policy.

The Middle East Might Be Moving Toward Stability
Heightened great power competition is allowing nations to make deals in their own best interests.

How Campaign Promises Crashed Ghana’s Economy
Ghana’s economic troubles long preceded the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to its politicians’ penchant for overspending.

Decolonization’s Last Stand in the Sahara
How the Polisario Front’s 50-year war for independence is escalating a battle over a territory long disputed—and feeding a broader crisis.

Do Gender Quotas in Elections Work?
Sierra Leone is about to become the latest country to find out.

BRICS Faces a Reckoning
Enlargement would be a sign not of the group’s strength, but of China’s growing influence.

Aid Is the Next Battleground Between China and the West
The global south’s debts have reached alarming levels, and Beijing is tightening the screws.

A Failed African Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia
Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders picked an inopportune moment to push for a truce.

An Unwritten Deal Is Exactly What Iran and America Need
An informal agreement is a poor substitute for an official one—but exactly what the circumstances call for.

The International Relations of Saudi Arabia’s Golf Empire
What the latest dealmaking in professional golf reveals about foreign policy.

Israeli Discrimination May Be Written Into U.S. Law
Israel’s border policies are a danger to the principles of visa reciprocity.


Sudan’s Ghosts of Darfur Come Back to Haunt It
The civil war between two rival generals has rekindled bloodshed, bad blood, and ethnic tensions in the tinderbox of Darfur.

Is Senegal’s Exceptionalism Over?
The defenses that made the country unique are falling one by one—leaving political discontent and spiritual voids exposed to al Qaeda.

Drones Aren’t the Sahel’s Silver Bullet
The weapons may bolster the very rebel groups West African governments are trying to defeat.

Why Arab Countries Are Welcoming Back Assad
The region’s players all have their own interests in a stable Syria.

Big Tech Is in Crisis in Africa
A landmark case against Meta in Kenya could reshape the way tech giants operate on the continent.

Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement Has Failed to Bring De-escalation
From Syria to Israel’s borders to the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian de-escalation is nowhere to be found.

What to Expect From Erdogan’s Third Term
Erdogan has two priorities: to chart a more assertive presence for Turkey and to leverage Ankara’s position inside Western institutions to make that happen.

Israel Is Officially Annexing the West Bank
A quiet bureaucratic maneuver by Netanyahu’s government has begun transferring control over the occupied territory from military to civilian leadership—violating international law.

Why Turkish Pollsters Didn’t Foresee Erdogan’s Win
Media saturation, manipulation of the economy, and culture wars helped the longtime leader hold on to his base.

South Africa’s Putin Problem
As a member of the ICC, Pretoria is obligated to arrest the Russian leader, but he has a standing invitation to visit the country in August.

Will Lebanese Bankers Finally Face Accountability?
Investigations at home and abroad offer hope of justice for the country’s crisis.

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.