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Russia Is Readying the Zinc Coffins Again

U.S. officials believe Russia is facing its toughest fight since World War II.

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Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan

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The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too

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: Middle East & Africa Middle East & Africa...

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Africa and the Middle East

Middle East & Africa

A crowd of men protesting hold flags and a large portrait of Sadr.
A crowd of men protesting hold flags and a large portrait of Sadr.

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.

Argument |
Shayan Talabany
A woman in a mask walks by a large mural of Khamenei.
A woman in a mask walks by a large mural of Khamenei.

Whose Iran Is It Anyway?

Ali Khamenei won’t give up power for anyone—not even his president.

Analysis |
Alex Vatanka
This photograph taken on December 7, 2021 shows a machine gun over the Menaka camp in Mali for the new Task Force Takuba, a multinational military mission in the troubled Sahel region.
This photograph taken on December 7, 2021 shows a machine gun over the Menaka camp in Mali for the new Task Force Takuba, a multinational military mission in the troubled Sahel region.

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.

Argument |
Delina Goxho, Yvan Guichaoua
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech on U.S.-Africa policy in Abuja, Nigeria, on Nov. 19, 2021.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech on U.S.-Africa policy in Abuja, Nigeria, on Nov. 19, 2021.

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.

Report |
Robbie Gramer
Robert Malley, a man with glasses, is seen from the side against a black background.
Robert Malley, a man with glasses, is seen from the side against a black background.

Iran Deal Talks Go Into Overtime

The top U.S. negotiator is making a last-ditch trip to Vienna.

Situation Report |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
Supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr flash the victory sign during protests inside the parliament building in Baghdad on July 30.
Supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr flash the victory sign during protests inside the parliament building in Baghdad on July 30.

Iraqi Politics Needs a Root-and-Branch Overhaul

New elections won’t fix what increasingly looks like a systemic problem.

Argument |
Mina Al-Oraibi
A billboard depicting Tunisian President Kais Saied hangs on the side of a building in the east-central city of Kairouan, on July 26.
A billboard depicting Tunisian President Kais Saied hangs on the side of a building in the east-central city of Kairouan, on July 26.

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.

Dispatch |
Simon Speakman Cordall
A man walks next to campaign posters ahead of Kenya's general election in Nairobi on Aug. 2.
A man walks next to campaign posters ahead of Kenya's general election in Nairobi on Aug. 2.

Odinga and Ruto Face Off in Kenya

Rivals become allies as outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta backs his old nemesis in a closely fought election.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Amir-Abdollahian and Bagheri Kani face each while in conversation.
Amir-Abdollahian and Bagheri Kani face each while in conversation.

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.

Argument |
Kourosh Ziabari
U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 16.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 16.

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.

Argument |
Suzanne Nossel
Protesters attend a rally backing the Senegalese opposition in Dakar, on June 8.
Protesters attend a rally backing the Senegalese opposition in Dakar, on June 8.

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.

Argument |
Danielle Resnick
Saudi military jets take part in a drill.
Saudi military jets take part in a drill.

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.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Two men in suits walk arm-in-arm in a crowd.
Two men in suits walk arm-in-arm in a crowd.

U.S. Follows Russia in Dueling Trips to Africa

Blinken to travel to the continent after Lavrov’s “charm offensive” tour.

Situation Report |
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
A demonstrator holds a pro-Russian banner in Burkina Faso.
A demonstrator holds a pro-Russian banner in Burkina Faso.

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.

Report |
Jack Detsch, Amy Mackinnon
Michael Mtoo looks on as his cattle drink water in Msomera, Tanzania, on July 15.
Michael Mtoo looks on as his cattle drink water in Msomera, Tanzania, on July 15.

Is Conservation Becoming Colonialism in Tanzania?

Tourism initiatives and conservation of UNESCO heritage sites have led to forced evictions of Indigenous peoples.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
An Iranian man looks at exchange rates in Tehran on June 15.
An Iranian man looks at exchange rates in Tehran on June 15.

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.

Argument |
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Ellie Geranmayeh
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken departs following a speech on U.S. Africa policy at the Economic Community of West African States in Abuja, Nigeria, on Nov. 19, 2021.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken departs following a speech on U.S. Africa policy at the Economic Community of West African States in Abuja, Nigeria, on Nov. 19, 2021.

U.S. Embassies in Africa Are Chronically Short-Staffed

Hollowed-out posts could leave the United States playing catch up to China and Russia.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Amy Mackinnon
Men stand atop a wooden platform over a muddy river holding a long pole down into the water.
Men stand atop a wooden platform over a muddy river holding a long pole down into the water.

Ghana’s ‘Success’ Exposes the West’s Toxic Development Model

Standard theories of global progress continue to be largely limited to raw extraction.

Argument |
Howard W. French
Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan clasp each others' hands in a line facing toward the camera.
Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan clasp each others' hands in a line facing toward the camera.

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.

Argument |
Steven A. Cook, Beth Sanner
Xi and Salman walk side by side, both waving.
Xi and Salman walk side by side, both waving.

China Won’t Replace the U.S. in the Middle East

Beijing remains uninterested in choosing sides in the region’s ongoing power games.

Argument |
Danielle Pletka, Dan Blumenthal
Members of the Yansakai vigilante group bring their weapons into the Zamfara State Government house as they members surrendered more than 500 guns on Dec. 3, 2019.
Members of the Yansakai vigilante group bring their weapons into the Zamfara State Government house as they members surrendered more than 500 guns on Dec. 3, 2019.

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.

Argument |
Folahanmi Aina
Senegalese President Macky Sall addresses a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Palace of the Republic of Senegal on May 22.
Senegalese President Macky Sall addresses a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Palace of the Republic of Senegal on May 22.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Mohammed bin Salman gestures in front of himself as he walks with Biden.
Mohammed bin Salman gestures in front of himself as he walks with Biden.

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.

Argument |
Aaron David Miller, Daniel C. Kurtzer
A women holds up her hands making "peace" or "V for victory" signs with her fingers amid a group of women waving flags.
A women holds up her hands making "peace" or "V for victory" signs with her fingers amid a group of women waving flags.

‘Science of Women’ Classes Take on the Patriarchy in Kurdish-Held Northeast Syria

“Now, I see that even the woman has a life.”

Dispatch |
Elizabeth Flock
Libyan tribal leaders pray in the city of Zintan on March 28, 2018.
Libyan tribal leaders pray in the city of Zintan on March 28, 2018.

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.

Dispatch |
John A. Lechner
U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15.
U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15.

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.

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Children swim in the water near docked ships at Port Sudan.
Children swim in the water near docked ships at Port Sudan.

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.

Report |
Amy Mackinnon, Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
Motorcycles queue for fuel at a gas station during a fuel shortage in Nairobi, Kenya on April 4.
Motorcycles queue for fuel at a gas station during a fuel shortage in Nairobi, Kenya on April 4.

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.

Argument |
W. Gyude Moore, Todd Moss
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks.

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.

Q&A |
Cameron Abadi
Turkish writer Hatice Cengiz, fiancée of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi, poses next to a portrait of Khashoggi after unveiling it on the National Mall in Washington on Oct. 1, 2021, during a memorial ceremony marking the third anniversary of his assassination at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Turkish writer Hatice Cengiz, fiancée of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi, poses next to a portrait of Khashoggi after unveiling it on the National Mall in Washington on Oct. 1, 2021, during a memorial ceremony marking the third anniversary of his assassination at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

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.

Argument |
Chris Murphy
U.S. President Joe Biden walks to Air Force One at Munich Airport in Munich, Germany, on June 28, after attending  the G7 Summit.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks to Air Force One at Munich Airport in Munich, Germany, on June 28, after attending the G7 Summit.

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.

Argument |
Firas Maksad
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on July 27, 2021.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on July 27, 2021.

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.

Argument |
Mustafa al-Kadhimi
Then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter (right) talks with Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia and one of his ministers at the White House in Washington in 1977.
Then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter (right) talks with Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia and one of his ministers at the White House in Washington in 1977.

Biden Should Revive the Carter Doctrine for the Middle East

In a new era of superpower conflict, Washington needs to recommit to the region.

Shadow Government |
John Hannah
The six men stand in a line holding hands with crossed arms, forming a chain of hand-holding.
The six men stand in a line holding hands with crossed arms, forming a chain of hand-holding.

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.

Argument |
Jon Hoffman
reconstruction builders work to revive Mosul's Old City
reconstruction builders work to revive Mosul's Old City

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.

Dispatch |
Mina Al-Oraibi
Teams carry ammunition cleared from civilian settlements south of Tripoli, Libya, on July 22, 2020. Militia affiliated with the warlord Khalifa Haftar's armed forces and mercenaries from the Russian security company Wagner Group trapped multiple mines and handmade explosives in the area.
Teams carry ammunition cleared from civilian settlements south of Tripoli, Libya, on July 22, 2020. Militia affiliated with the warlord Khalifa Haftar's armed forces and mercenaries from the Russian security company Wagner Group trapped multiple mines and handmade explosives in the area.

Libya Could Be Putin’s Trump Card

Global oil markets have already felt the pinch of Libyan oil shutdowns helped along by Russian mercenaries.

Argument |
Robert Uniacke
Hossein Taeb, then-head of the intelligence apparatus of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, looks on during a meeting in Tehran on June 24, 2018.
Hossein Taeb, then-head of the intelligence apparatus of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, looks on during a meeting in Tehran on June 24, 2018.

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.

Analysis |
Saeid Golkar, Kasra Aarabi
Residents of Johannesburg’s Soweto township protest.
Residents of Johannesburg’s Soweto township protest.

Why South Africa Is in the Dark, Again

Winter is here. And the country is facing its worst-ever energy crisis.

Explainer |
Anusha Rathi
Biden waves from a plane entrance while wearing a mask.
Biden waves from a plane entrance while wearing a mask.

Biden Heads to a Nervous Middle East

Both Israel and Saudi Arabia want a stronger deterrence stance on Iran.

Situation Report |
Jack Detsch
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 22, 2019.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 22, 2019.

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.

Argument |
Dore Feith, Ben Noon
U.S. President Joe Biden boards Air Force One.
U.S. President Joe Biden boards Air Force One.

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.

Analysis |
Aaron David Miller, Steven Simon
Protesters wave signs including one that reads in English "Together fighting for democracy."
Protesters wave signs including one that reads in English "Together fighting for democracy."

Kais Saied’s Proposed New Constitution Is Roiling Tunisia

The changes would grant the president almost untrammeled power.

Report |
Simon Speakman Cordall
Nigerian presidential candidates Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar
Nigerian presidential candidates Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar

Nigeria’s Presidential Candidates Are Deeply Uninspiring

The country’s multiple challenges require a generational change in leadership.

Argument |
Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún
Protesters march on a street on the second day of a demonstration over soaring living costs in Accra, Ghana, on June 29.
Protesters march on a street on the second day of a demonstration over soaring living costs in Accra, Ghana, on June 29.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A Congolese army tank heads towards the front line near Kibumba in the area surrounding the North Kivu city of Goma on May 25 during clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels.
A Congolese army tank heads towards the front line near Kibumba in the area surrounding the North Kivu city of Goma on May 25 during clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels.

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.

Dispatch |
Mélanie Gouby
Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla “Lux” Mohlauli
Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla “Lux” Mohlauli

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.

Profile |
Kate Bartlett
Three women hold up portraits of a man while crying in a crowd.
Three women hold up portraits of a man while crying in a crowd.

Why Iran Is Downplaying Israel Assassinating Its Officials

As Israel ups the ante of covert warfare, Iran scrambles to respond.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
A ranger fires his assault rifle in Congo.
A ranger fires his assault rifle in Congo.

Western Nonprofits Are Trampling Over Africans’ Rights and Land

Indigenous people are being forced out from so-called protected areas.

Argument |
Aby L. Sène
A digger descends into a copper and cobalt mine in Kawama, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on June 8, 2016.
A digger descends into a copper and cobalt mine in Kawama, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on June 8, 2016.

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.

Analysis |
Cobus van Staden
Men in military dress kneel around a coffin decorated with the Iranian flag.
Men in military dress kneel around a coffin decorated with the Iranian flag.

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.

Argument |
Danielle Pletka
Xue Bing, China’s special envoy to the Horn of Africa, and Ethiopian National Security Advisor Redwan Hussein attend the first Horn of Africa peace conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 20.
Xue Bing, China’s special envoy to the Horn of Africa, and Ethiopian National Security Advisor Redwan Hussein attend the first Horn of Africa peace conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 20.

What Does China Want in Ethiopia?

Beijing is stepping up its diplomatic efforts in the Horn of Africa as U.S. influence wanes.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
An empty inflatable  boat after migrants were rescued by the Abeille Languedoc—an ocean-going tugboat—following a failed crossing of the English Channel from France to Britain on May 9.
An empty inflatable boat after migrants were rescued by the Abeille Languedoc—an ocean-going tugboat—following a failed crossing of the English Channel from France to Britain on May 9.

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.

Argument |
Andrew Connelly
A member of the U.S. Air Force looks on near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia on Feb. 20, 2020.
A member of the U.S. Air Force looks on near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia on Feb. 20, 2020.

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.

Argument |
Bilal Y. Saab
Supporters of Nigeria’s ruling party All Progressive Congress and its presidential nominee, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, jubilate after the party announced him as the winner of its presidential primary at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria, on June 8.
Supporters of Nigeria’s ruling party All Progressive Congress and its presidential nominee, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, jubilate after the party announced him as the winner of its presidential primary at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria, on June 8.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Israel's former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media at the Knesset in Jerusalem.
Israel's former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media at the Knesset in Jerusalem.

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.

Dispatch |
Neri Zilber
A man stands in a damaged mosque.
A man stands in a damaged mosque.

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.

Argument |
Andrew DeCort
Families look out from screened windows.
Families look out from screened windows.

Syrian Refugees Find Little Hope in Lebanon’s Election

Lebanon’s large refugee population has long given up on their futures in the country.

Dispatch |
AJ Naddaff
People gather for a demonstration demanding the end of a yearslong siege imposed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on the city of Taiz, Yemen, on May 25.
People gather for a demonstration demanding the end of a yearslong siege imposed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on the city of Taiz, Yemen, on May 25.

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.

Analysis |
Katherine Zimmerman
Blinken puts his hand on Bennett's upper back in a friendly gesture as the two men stand behind a podium with a placard that reads "Prime Minister's Office"
Blinken puts his hand on Bennett's upper back in a friendly gesture as the two men stand behind a podium with a placard that reads "Prime Minister's Office"

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.

Analysis |
Aaron David Miller
Belgium’s King Philippe shakes hands with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi as he hands over a ceremonial mask during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Kinshasa on June 8.
Belgium’s King Philippe shakes hands with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi as he hands over a ceremonial mask during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Kinshasa on June 8.

Belgium Offers Regret—but No Reparations—to Congo

King Philippe stopped short of apologizing for colonial-era atrocities, angering the Congolese opposition and diaspora.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Elephants graze at Kimana Sanctuary.
Elephants graze at Kimana Sanctuary.

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.

Dispatch |
Tendai Marima
An entitled man walks across a collage landscape to illustrate the concept of protocol in Ghana.
An entitled man walks across a collage landscape to illustrate the concept of protocol in Ghana.

The Secret to Getting What You Need in Ghana

Special “protocol” treatment has become a way of life for the privileged few.

Decoder |
Anakwa Dwamena
Fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces during the Union Fortress 8 military demonstration in Dubai, on March 5.
Fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces during the Union Fortress 8 military demonstration in Dubai, on March 5.

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.

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
A Libyan coast guardsman stands on a boat during the rescue of 147 migrants attempting to reach Europe off the coastal town of Zawiyah, Libya on June 27, 2017.
A Libyan coast guardsman stands on a boat during the rescue of 147 migrants attempting to reach Europe off the coastal town of Zawiyah, Libya on June 27, 2017.

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.

Review |
Rhoda Feng
American and Iranian flags, with a man removing the Iranian one
American and Iranian flags, with a man removing the Iranian one

America’s Iran Follies

How two decades of misjudgments by Washington helped lead Tehran to the nuclear brink.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
Two women stand in a street with strollers and four children.
Two women stand in a street with strollers and four children.

Will Turkey Expel Its Syrian Refugees?

Nearly 4 million refugees are caught in the crossfire of Ankara’s heated domestic politics.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Mohammad bin Salman is shown with a slight smirk on his face.
Mohammad bin Salman is shown with a slight smirk on his face.

Biden Was Always Going to Need Saudi Arabia

Trying to make Mohammed bin Salman a “pariah” was bound to fail.

Argument |
Steven A. Cook
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Nigerien Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou in Istanbul on Dec. 18, 2021.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Nigerien Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou in Istanbul on Dec. 18, 2021.

Turkey’s Newest African Ally

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

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Young men wearing headphones sit in front of computer screens showing a scene from an online game.
Young men wearing headphones sit in front of computer screens showing a scene from an online game.

Iran’s Leaders Are Scared of the Internet

They should be more scared of shutting it off.

Argument |
Kourosh Ziabari
A top shot of a man in a hat looking at a newspaper.
A top shot of a man in a hat looking at a newspaper.

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.

Review |
Cole Bunzel
Taboubi and other leaders sit at a conference table in front of the Tunisian flag
Taboubi and other leaders sit at a conference table in front of the Tunisian flag

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.

Report |
Simon Speakman Cordall
People in jackets hold up posters with a face that read "FREE Ahamad Reza Jalali."
People in jackets hold up posters with a face that read "FREE Ahamad Reza Jalali."

‘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.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Funeral in Sinai after terrorist attack
Funeral in Sinai after terrorist attack

Egypt’s Remilitarized Sinai Is a Future Powder Keg

Egypt and Israel are undermining their peace treaty—and it needs to be stopped.

Shadow Government |
David Schenker
Iraqi demonstrators lift banners against Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi during a protest rejecting election results, near an entrance to the Green Zone in Baghdad on Nov. 5, 2021.
Iraqi demonstrators lift banners against Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi during a protest rejecting election results, near an entrance to the Green Zone in Baghdad on Nov. 5, 2021.

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.

Dispatch |
Simona Foltyn
Activists demonstrate outside the City County Assembly in Nairobi on April 24, 2019.
Activists demonstrate outside the City County Assembly in Nairobi on April 24, 2019.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Lebanese independent lawmakers on their way to parliament pose at Martyrs' Square in central Beirut on May 31.
Lebanese independent lawmakers on their way to parliament pose at Martyrs' Square in central Beirut on May 31.

Lebanon Has an Opposition Movement Again

A new coalition could check—or even dislodge—Hezbollah and its iron grip.

Analysis |
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Dimitry Sytii (C), founder of the mining company Lobaye Invest and placed under U.S. Treasury sanctions for his alleged links to the Wagner group, is surrounded by Central African deputies on the steps of the National Assembly in Bangui on October 15, 2021.
Dimitry Sytii (C), founder of the mining company Lobaye Invest and placed under U.S. Treasury sanctions for his alleged links to the Wagner group, is surrounded by Central African deputies on the steps of the National Assembly in Bangui on October 15, 2021.

Putin’s World Order Would Be Devastating for Africa

Moscow is already deeply involved in destabilizing wars.

Argument |
Joseph Siegle, Jeffrey Smith
A man walks through Mariupol, Ukraine.
A man walks through Mariupol, Ukraine.

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.

Argument |
Jade McGlynn, Fiona Greenland
Hollywood star Paul Newman on the set of Exodus in Israel
Hollywood star Paul Newman on the set of Exodus in Israel

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.

Review |
Saul Austerlitz
The remains of a police car in Somalia.
The remains of a police car in Somalia.

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.

Report |
Jack Detsch
People hold up a coffin and wave flags.
People hold up a coffin and wave flags.

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.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Supporters of interim Malian President Assimi Goïta wave Russian flags during a pro-junta and pro-Russia rally in Bamako, Mali, on May 13.
Supporters of interim Malian President Assimi Goïta wave Russian flags during a pro-junta and pro-Russia rally in Bamako, Mali, on May 13.

How the West Lost Africa

Scolding and paternalism are not winning over African leaders when it comes to ties with Russia.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A view of Givat Zeev, an Israeli settlement near the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on Nov. 19, 2019.
A view of Givat Zeev, an Israeli settlement near the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on Nov. 19, 2019.

Blasting Israeli Settlement Construction Will Get Biden Nowhere

Settlement growth in the West Bank is a product of population pressure, not policy.

Argument |
Elliott Abrams, Uri Sadot
Israeli security forces keep watch as Palestinians cross a checkpoint to reach Jerusalem to attend the last Friday prayers of Ramadan at the al-Aqsa mosque compound, on Apr. 29, 2022 in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli security forces keep watch as Palestinians cross a checkpoint to reach Jerusalem to attend the last Friday prayers of Ramadan at the al-Aqsa mosque compound, on Apr. 29, 2022 in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.

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.

Argument |
Hiba Husseini, Yossi Beilin
Demonstrators hold a placard that reads "EU, UN and US it is time for B.D.S."
Demonstrators hold a placard that reads "EU, UN and US it is time for B.D.S."

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.

Argument |
Steven A. Cook
A woman votes behind a white privacy screen.
A woman votes behind a white privacy screen.

Lebanon’s Surprisingly Promising Election

After years of political deadlock, the country may be starting to shake off its ruling class.

Dispatch |
AJ Naddaff
Newly elected Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud waves to supporters in Mogadishu on May 15.
Newly elected Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud waves to supporters in Mogadishu on May 15.

Somalia’s New President

After a long delayed indirect election, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faces many challenges.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the American Freedom Tour at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, on May 14.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the American Freedom Tour at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, on May 14.

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.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
Visitors view the Benin Bronzes exhibit at the British Museum.
Visitors view the Benin Bronzes exhibit at the British Museum.

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.

Review |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Demonstrators wave Western Sahara flags during a protest against the Spanish government support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, in Madrid, on March 26.
Demonstrators wave Western Sahara flags during a protest against the Spanish government support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, in Madrid, on March 26.

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.

Analysis |
Marcos Bartolomé
Former residents evicted from a crowded Lagos shantytown stand on a flotilla of boats.
Former residents evicted from a crowded Lagos shantytown stand on a flotilla of boats.

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.

Review |
Adam Tooze
A person with curly hair stands with their back turned toward the camera, draped in a red and white flag with a green tree in the middle. They're standing in the middle of a road and tan buildings are in the background.
A person with curly hair stands with their back turned toward the camera, draped in a red and white flag with a green tree in the middle. They're standing in the middle of a road and tan buildings are in the background.

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.

Dispatch |
Anchal Vohra
A silhouette of a soldier who's looking out over a sandy expanse and rock faces.
A silhouette of a soldier who's looking out over a sandy expanse and rock faces.

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.

Situation Report |
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch, Mary Yang
People fill water tanks in the Shabelle River in Gode, Ethiopia, on April 8.
People fill water tanks in the Shabelle River in Gode, Ethiopia, on April 8.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A satellite image shows the the FSO Safer tanker moored off Ras Isa port in Yemen on June 17, 2020.
A satellite image shows the the FSO Safer tanker moored off Ras Isa port in Yemen on June 17, 2020.

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.

Report |
Christina Lu, Robbie Gramer
A man passes in front of the rubble of the Medina hotel in Somalia.
A man passes in front of the rubble of the Medina hotel in Somalia.

Terrorism Is Making a Comeback, and Africa Is the Hot Spot

Things could get even worse after the pandemic.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
In a photo supplied by the Saudi Royal Court, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraces Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
In a photo supplied by the Saudi Royal Court, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraces Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The Middle East’s Kumbaya Moment Won’t Last

The diplomatic resets and outreach underway are just competition by another means.

Argument |
Steven A. Cook
Cameroonian army soldiers secure the perimeter of a polling station in Lysoka, near Buea, southwestern Cameroon, on October 7, 2018 during presidential elections.
Cameroonian army soldiers secure the perimeter of a polling station in Lysoka, near Buea, southwestern Cameroon, on October 7, 2018 during presidential elections.

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.

Argument |
R. Maxwell Bone
People stand behind a red barrier and take photos with their phones.
People stand behind a red barrier and take photos with their phones.

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.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
People sit around a circular table while Zelensky speaks on a large video screen in the background.
People sit around a circular table while Zelensky speaks on a large video screen in the background.

Western Allies Pressure African Countries to Condemn Russia

But too much pressure could backfire.

Situation Report |
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
The families of American hostages detained abroad hold a rally in front of the White House.
The families of American hostages detained abroad hold a rally in front of the White House.

Families of American Hostages Abroad Find Power—and Solace—in Numbers

Biden faces pressure to secure release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Amy Mackinnon
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (left) gestures toward Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as they walk after a group photo during the final session of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit in Doha, Qatar, on Feb. 22.
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (left) gestures toward Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as they walk after a group photo during the final session of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit in Doha, Qatar, on Feb. 22.

The Qatarization of the Middle East

Gulf Arab countries are copying Qatar in hedging against U.S. power. Iran is thrilled.

Analysis |
Danielle Pletka
Supporters of the “Coalition of Northern Groups” rally to urge authorities to rescue hundreds of abducted schoolboys in northwestern state of Katsina, Nigeria, on Dec. 17, 2020.
Supporters of the “Coalition of Northern Groups” rally to urge authorities to rescue hundreds of abducted schoolboys in northwestern state of Katsina, Nigeria, on Dec. 17, 2020.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A Sudanese man waves his country's flag as he stands in front of a barricaded street during protests in the capital Khartoum to mark the second anniversary of the revolt that toppled the previous government, on Dec. 19, 2020.
A Sudanese man waves his country's flag as he stands in front of a barricaded street during protests in the capital Khartoum to mark the second anniversary of the revolt that toppled the previous government, on Dec. 19, 2020.

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.

Argument |
Justin Lynch
A Palestinian loads a cart with food.
A Palestinian loads a cart with food.

Palestinians Feel Economic Pain From the War in Ukraine

A food crisis looms as the price of wheat and other staples surges.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Christina Lu
Four young Black men sit on the side of a rode with their suitcases.
Four young Black men sit on the side of a rode with their suitcases.

Treating Migration as a Crisis Is a Missed Opportunity

Racism is keeping rich societies from benefitting from increased migration.

Argument |
Howard W. French
Cameroonian soldiers conduct the daily flag-lowering ceremony at the Force Multinationale Mixte base in Mora, Cameroon, on Sept. 28, 2018.
Cameroonian soldiers conduct the daily flag-lowering ceremony at the Force Multinationale Mixte base in Mora, Cameroon, on Sept. 28, 2018.

Biya Bets on Russia

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

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Presumed operatives of the Russian mercenary Wagner Group, accompanied by a Malian soldier (far left), near Gossi in Mali on April 20
Presumed operatives of the Russian mercenary Wagner Group, accompanied by a Malian soldier (far left), near Gossi in Mali on April 20

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.

Report |
Amy Mackinnon, Robbie Gramer
A member of the Syrian pro-government forces carries an Islamic State (IS) group flag as he stands on a street in the ancient city of Palmyra on March 27, 2016, after troops recaptured the city from IS jihadists.
A member of the Syrian pro-government forces carries an Islamic State (IS) group flag as he stands on a street in the ancient city of Palmyra on March 27, 2016, after troops recaptured the city from IS jihadists.

ISIS Can’t Even Direct Lone-Wolf Attacks Anymore

But the group is hoping for a resurgence while the West is distracted in Ukraine.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Displaced Yemenis receive food aid and supplies
Displaced Yemenis receive food aid and supplies

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.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomes his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomes his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Sanctioning Russia Won’t Stop Putin. Just Look at Iran.

Iran is a cautionary tale that stubborn autocracies can’t be disciplined with sanctions.

Analysis |
Kourosh Ziabari
A long line of cars stretches down a city street from a gas station.
A long line of cars stretches down a city street from a gas station.

Iraq’s Oil Dysfunction

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

Analysis |
Mina Al-Oraibi
British Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta shake hands after signing an agreement at the Kigali Convention Center in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 14.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta shake hands after signing an agreement at the Kigali Convention Center in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 14.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A man sits near a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a demonstration in Bamako, Mali, on Feb. 19 celebrating France’s announcement that it will withdraw its troops from the country.
A man sits near a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a demonstration in Bamako, Mali, on Feb. 19 celebrating France’s announcement that it will withdraw its troops from the country.

Russia Flounders in Ukraine but Doubles Down in Mali

Russian mercenaries fill Mali vacuum as European powers pursue an exit.

Report |
Colum Lynch, Amy Mackinnon, Robbie Gramer
A Uyghur man in Medina, Saudi Arabia, in 2019 holds his expired Chinese passport (red) and a one-way travel document (blue) issued in its place by the Chinese mission in Saudi Arabia.
A Uyghur man in Medina, Saudi Arabia, in 2019 holds his expired Chinese passport (red) and a one-way travel document (blue) issued in its place by the Chinese mission in Saudi Arabia.

China’s Transnational Repression Gets Saudi Backing

Deporting Uyghur refugees is inhumane and illegal.

Argument |
Rayhan Asat
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives for an EU-AU summit in Brussels on Feb. 17.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives for an EU-AU summit in Brussels on Feb. 17.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
David Satterfield speaks in Iraq.
David Satterfield speaks in Iraq.

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.

Exclusive |
Robbie Gramer, Colum Lynch
A stork flies over a wheat field in Ukraine.
A stork flies over a wheat field in Ukraine.

Panicky Markets Are the Greatest Danger to Global Food Supply

The loss of Ukrainian and Russian wheat can be made up elsewhere.

Argument |
Sarah Taber
Workers attach a banner with a photo of a pregnant woman being carried on a stretcher after the bombing of a maternity ward in Mariupol during Russia's war in Ukraine that is displayed as part of an exhibition at the railway station in Vilnius, Lithuania on March 25, 2022, where transit trains from Moscow to Kaliningrad make a stopover.
Workers attach a banner with a photo of a pregnant woman being carried on a stretcher after the bombing of a maternity ward in Mariupol during Russia's war in Ukraine that is displayed as part of an exhibition at the railway station in Vilnius, Lithuania on March 25, 2022, where transit trains from Moscow to Kaliningrad make a stopover.

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.

Argument |
Annie Sparrow
Senegalese President Macky Sall shakes hands with Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, at a conference in Diamniadio, Senegal, on Dec. 2, 2019.
Senegalese President Macky Sall shakes hands with Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, at a conference in Diamniadio, Senegal, on Dec. 2, 2019.

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.

Argument |
Vijaya Ramachandran, Arthur Baker
President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One for a departure from the Ellipse near the White House on May 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.
President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One for a departure from the Ellipse near the White House on May 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.

America’s Middle East Friendships Are Dying a Natural Death

It’s time to recognize they were living on borrowed time.

Argument |
Steven A. Cook
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra addresses supporters during a rally of the United Hearts Movement political party at the Omnisport Stadium in Bangui on March 18.
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra addresses supporters during a rally of the United Hearts Movement political party at the Omnisport Stadium in Bangui on March 18.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.

The Little Iran Nuclear Deal That Couldn’t

A revived nuclear pact could benefit Washington and Tehran but is proving a hard sell.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Migrants, including Cameroonians, travel toward the United States in Panama.
Migrants, including Cameroonians, travel toward the United States in Panama.

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.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Sara Hagos
Iranian protocol soldiers stand guard during a ceremony to mark the 27th anniversary of the Islamic revolution at the mausoleum of Iran's late founder of Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on Feb. 1, 2006.
Iranian protocol soldiers stand guard during a ceremony to mark the 27th anniversary of the Islamic revolution at the mausoleum of Iran's late founder of Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on Feb. 1, 2006.

It’s Time to Give the Revolutionary Guards a Concession

An Iranian nuclear deal is more important than the symbolism of a terrorist list.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) and his brother and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) in Rabat, Morocco on March 29.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) and his brother and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) in Rabat, Morocco on March 29.

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.

Argument |
Bilal Y. Saab, Karen E. Young
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.

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.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Vehicles exit a gas station in Accra, Ghana, on March 22. 
Vehicles exit a gas station in Accra, Ghana, on March 22. 

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A U.N. peacekeeper keeps guard in Bria in the Central African Republic.
A U.N. peacekeeper keeps guard in Bria in the Central African Republic.

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.

Report |
Jack Losh
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, speaks to the press in front of  the Palais Coburg in Vienna on Dec. 27, 2021.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, speaks to the press in front of the Palais Coburg in Vienna on Dec. 27, 2021.

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.

Argument |
Hussein Agha
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pictured while meeting with the Tunisian President during his arrival at the presidential palace in Carthage on the eastern outskirts of the capital Tunis on November 27, 2018.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pictured while meeting with the Tunisian President during his arrival at the presidential palace in Carthage on the eastern outskirts of the capital Tunis on November 27, 2018.

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.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Palestinians lift placards as they protest the meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Central Committee in Ramallah, West Bank, on Feb. 6.
Palestinians lift placards as they protest the meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Central Committee in Ramallah, West Bank, on Feb. 6.

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.

Analysis |
Dalia Hatuqa
A woman walks past a mural showing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on March 9.
A woman walks past a mural showing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on March 9.

Iran Needs a Cushion, and Europe Needs Gas

Politics in Tehran may finally fall into sync with the commercial logic of expanding energy markets.

Analysis |
Alex Vatanka
Children, who fled the violence in Ethiopia's, Tigray region, wait in line for breakfast organized by volunteers in Mekele, the capital of Tigray region, on June 23, 2021.
Children, who fled the violence in Ethiopia's, Tigray region, wait in line for breakfast organized by volunteers in Mekele, the capital of Tigray region, on June 23, 2021.

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.

Argument |
Getachew Reda
Civilians stage a silent protest against the drilling in the Kavango Basin on the steps of St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 11, 2021.
Civilians stage a silent protest against the drilling in the Kavango Basin on the steps of St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 11, 2021.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the G-20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Nov. 30, 2018.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the G-20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Nov. 30, 2018.

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.

Argument |
Khalid Al-Jabri, Annelle Sheline
An electronic sign displays a message in Arabic welcoming the Turkish president in UAE, in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, on February 14, 2022.
An electronic sign displays a message in Arabic welcoming the Turkish president in UAE, in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, on February 14, 2022.

Erdogan’s War With Arab Monarchies Is Over

With its economy in a tailspin, Turkey is repairing ties with former enemies in the region.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Muse Bihi Abdi, then-presidential candidate for Somaliland's ruling Kulmiye Party, speaks to media after casting his vote in Hargeisa.
Muse Bihi Abdi, then-presidential candidate for Somaliland's ruling Kulmiye Party, speaks to media after casting his vote in Hargeisa.

Somaliland Courts U.S. for Independence Recognition

Officials in Washington say no to independence but make room for closer ties.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Mary Yang
South-Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) attend the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia, on Oct. 24, 2019.
South-Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) attend the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia, on Oct. 24, 2019.

South Africa’s Self-Defeating Silence on Ukraine 

ANC leaders are letting Soviet nostalgia outweigh morality.

Argument |
Eusebius McKaiser, Sasha Polakow-Suransky
A general view of the construction of a new gasoline unit at the Sonangol Luanda Refinery is seen in Luanda, Angola, on Oct. 22, 2020.
A general view of the construction of a new gasoline unit at the Sonangol Luanda Refinery is seen in Luanda, Angola, on Oct. 22, 2020.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
A banner depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin
A banner depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Syrian Fighters May End Up on Both Sides of the Ukraine War

Young Syrians have already served as mercenaries elsewhere.

Analysis |
James Snell
A Syrian woman walks with a boy past a banner showing Russian President Vladimir Putin shaking hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Abu al-Zuhur checkpoint in Idlib province, Syria, on June 1, 2018.
A Syrian woman walks with a boy past a banner showing Russian President Vladimir Putin shaking hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Abu al-Zuhur checkpoint in Idlib province, Syria, on June 1, 2018.

Putin’s War Killed Syria Diplomacy

It’s time for a new way forward.

Argument |
Charles Lister
A worker stands on an offshore natural gas platform about 60 miles west of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Nov. 2, 2009.
A worker stands on an offshore natural gas platform about 60 miles west of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Nov. 2, 2009.

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.

Argument |
Vijaya Ramachandran
A Muslim believer reads Koran before breaking his fast at the Al-Azhar mosque on May 12, 2019, as they mark the 1079th anniversary of the establishment of the mosque, during the holy month of Ramadan in Egypt's capital Cairo.
A Muslim believer reads Koran before breaking his fast at the Al-Azhar mosque on May 12, 2019, as they mark the 1079th anniversary of the establishment of the mosque, during the holy month of Ramadan in Egypt's capital Cairo.

Islamism Is Ready for a Comeback

The death of political Islam in the Middle East has been greatly exaggerated.

Analysis |
Steven A. Cook
Moqtada al-Sadr, Iraqi militia leader and Shiite Muslim cleric, gives a news conference in the central holy shrine city of Najaf, on November 18, 2021.
Moqtada al-Sadr, Iraqi militia leader and Shiite Muslim cleric, gives a news conference in the central holy shrine city of Najaf, on November 18, 2021.

Why Muqtada al-Sadr Failed to Reform Iraq

Iraq’s most recent election promised change but ended up entrenching the establishment.

Analysis |
Renad Mansour, Benedict Robin-D'Cruz
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomes his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomes his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

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.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Pro-Ukraine protesters in Iran.
Pro-Ukraine protesters in Iran.

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.

Argument |
Kourosh Ziabari
An aerial view of elephants grazing in Kimana Sanctuary
An aerial view of elephants grazing in Kimana Sanctuary

Africa Has a Climate Funding Shortfall

The IPCC report highlights a major financing gap for climate adaptation research focused on the continent.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

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.

Dispatch |
Neri Zilber
Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of Bahrain, and Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, arriving at the pier at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain This handout image released by the US Naval Forces Central Command on Jan. 31, 2022.
Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of Bahrain, and Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, arriving at the pier at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain This handout image released by the US Naval Forces Central Command on Jan. 31, 2022.

Bahrain’s Paranoia About Iran Is Self-Defeating

A new regional alliance is undermining Bahrain’s stability at home.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Demonstrators with Tigray flags and posters march on the National Mall in Washington, DC on November 4, 2021, marking the one-year anniversary of the Ethiopian government's decision to deploy troops into the country's northernmost Tigray region.
Demonstrators with Tigray flags and posters march on the National Mall in Washington, DC on November 4, 2021, marking the one-year anniversary of the Ethiopian government's decision to deploy troops into the country's northernmost Tigray region.

There Is a Path to Peace in Tigray

Ethiopia can end its civil war by upholding its constitution.

Argument |
Mehari Taddele Maru
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on Nov. 30, 2018.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on Nov. 30, 2018.

Putin’s War Has Middle Eastern Countries Hedging Their Bets

Washington’s security guarantees now seem worth even less.

Shadow Government |
David Schenker
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert poses.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert poses.

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.

Q&A |
Ben Lynfield
Chinese naval base in Djibouti
Chinese naval base in Djibouti

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.

Argument |
Cobus van Staden
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during their meeting, in Sochi, on Oct. 22, 2021.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during their meeting, in Sochi, on Oct. 22, 2021.

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.

Argument |
Shalom Lipner
People fleeing Ukraine wait at the main railway station in Przemysl, Poland, on Feb. 28.
People fleeing Ukraine wait at the main railway station in Przemysl, Poland, on Feb. 28.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi rebels attend a rally marking the fourth anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 26, 2019.
Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi rebels attend a rally marking the fourth anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 26, 2019.

Ending War in Yemen Requires Talk, Not Labels

Designating the Houthis as terrorists will serve only to confirm their existing biases.

Argument |
Peter Salisbury, Michael Wahid Hanna
A meeting of the United Nations Security Council is held in New York.
A meeting of the United Nations Security Council is held in New York.

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. 

Report |
Colum Lynch
Sudanese protesters gather in the busy Jabra district of southern Khartoum on Nov. 25, 2021.
Sudanese protesters gather in the busy Jabra district of southern Khartoum on Nov. 25, 2021.

Targeted Sanctions Can Help Restore Democracy in Sudan

Focusing on key military leaders and their networks can force the regime to change course.

Argument |
Chris Coons, John Prendergast
From left to right, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Senegalese President Macky Sall, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat give a press conference on the second day of a European Union and African Union summit in Brussels on Feb. 18.
From left to right, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Senegalese President Macky Sall, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat give a press conference on the second day of a European Union and African Union summit in Brussels on Feb. 18.

African Leaders Criticize Brussels Over Vaccines

Disagreements over intellectual property waivers for COVID-19 vaccines are hindering closer ties.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 1, 2021.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 1, 2021.

Anti-Colonialism Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Human Rights Abuses

Oppression should be condemned, regardless of who is behind it.

Argument |
Sara Khorshid
Lebanese lira bills are damaged in a special machine at Lebanon's Central Bank in Beirut on November 24, 2008.
Lebanese lira bills are damaged in a special machine at Lebanon's Central Bank in Beirut on November 24, 2008.

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.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
A new closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed on the roof of a private Palestinian home in Hebron’s Tel Rumeida neighborhood is seen in the occupied West Bank on Dec. 4, 2021.
A new closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed on the roof of a private Palestinian home in Hebron’s Tel Rumeida neighborhood is seen in the occupied West Bank on Dec. 4, 2021.

How the Occupation Fuels Tel Aviv’s Booming AI Sector

Israel hones invasive surveillance technology on Palestinians before it is exported abroad.

Dispatch |
Sophia Goodfriend
A Kenyan pastoralist looks at sheep and goats that died from changing climate.
A Kenyan pastoralist looks at sheep and goats that died from changing climate.

‘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.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Christina Lu
Libyans protest for elections with signs.
Libyans protest for elections with signs.

What Went Wrong With Libya’s Failed Elections

This was the predictable outcome of a deeply flawed process.

Analysis |
Omar Hammady
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.

A New Iran Deal Means Old Chaos

Rekindling the nuclear deal with Tehran will solve one regional problem—and cause others.

Analysis |
Steven A. Cook
Afghan men line up for food ration distribution.
Afghan men line up for food ration distribution.

The Afghan Crisis Demands a Coordinated Response on Refugees

This is a chance to display democratic values—and establish a better order.

Argument |
Rory Stewart
Yemeni army forces head to stronghold near Marib, Yemen.
Yemeni army forces head to stronghold near Marib, Yemen.

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.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Colum Lynch
Members of Syria's top jihadist group the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance, led by al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, parade with their flags and those of the Taliban's declared "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" through the rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib on August 20, 2021.
Members of Syria's top jihadist group the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance, led by al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, parade with their flags and those of the Taliban's declared "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" through the rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib on August 20, 2021.

Rebel-Held Syria Is the New Capital of Global Terrorism

The question of who controls the region around Idlib has become an international problem.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
A Halo Trust member lifts a tarp covering explosive debris.
A Halo Trust member lifts a tarp covering explosive debris.

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.

Feature |
Jack Losh
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Embattled Erdogan Signals Turkish-Israeli Thaw

The ground in the Middle East is shifting yet again.

Analysis |
Aykan Erdemir
Members of Tunisia’s security forces stand outside the closed entrance to the headquarters of Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6.
Members of Tunisia’s security forces stand outside the closed entrance to the headquarters of Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6.

Will Kais Saied Kill Tunisia’s Democracy?

The country that sparked the Arab Spring could be headed back to permanent authoritarian rule.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.

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?

Report |
Stéphanie Fillion, Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
Soldiers stand near a large military vehicle on a muddy street.
Soldiers stand near a large military vehicle on a muddy street.

The Islamic State Has Become a Resilient Insurgency

The group may no longer have its caliphate, but it’s far from defeated.

Analysis |
Fawaz A. Gerges
Tables are laid out for a gala dinner at the 35th ordinary summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb. 5.
Tables are laid out for a gala dinner at the 35th ordinary summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb. 5.

Africans Need More Seats at the Tables of Power

Turn the G-20 into the G-21 by adding the African Union.

Argument |
Hannah Ryder
Red tape is extended and objects are set on fire, around the house in which the leader of Islamic State (IS) group Amir Mohammed Said Abd al-Rahman al-Mawla , aka Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi died, during an overnight raid by US special forces, in the town of Atme in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, on February 3, 2022.
Red tape is extended and objects are set on fire, around the house in which the leader of Islamic State (IS) group Amir Mohammed Said Abd al-Rahman al-Mawla , aka Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi died, during an overnight raid by US special forces, in the town of Atme in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, on February 3, 2022.

Qurayshi Is Replaceable

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

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Members of 
an Amhara militia gather in the 
village of Adi Arkay, 
northeast of Gondar, Ethiopia, on July 14, 2021.
Members of an Amhara militia gather in the village of Adi Arkay, northeast of Gondar, Ethiopia, on July 14, 2021.

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.

Argument |
Zelalem Moges
Sudanese protesters wave the national flag during a demonstration calling for civilian rule and demanding justice for those killed in crackdowns in the capital of Khartoum on Jan. 24.
Sudanese protesters wave the national flag during a demonstration calling for civilian rule and demanding justice for those killed in crackdowns in the capital of Khartoum on Jan. 24.

America’s Silence on Sudan Is Deafening

Washington has sidelined the country’s long-term interests in favor of short-term gains.

Argument |
Hala al-Karib
A man sits among the rubble following overnight airstrikes 
by the Saudi-led coalition targeting the Houthi rebel-held 
capital of Sanaa, in Yemen, on Jan. 18.
A man sits among the rubble following overnight airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition targeting the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa, in Yemen, on Jan. 18.

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.

Argument |
Kate Kizer
Uniformed soldiers wearing surgical face masks and holding weapons stand at attention.
Uniformed soldiers wearing surgical face masks and holding weapons stand at attention.

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.

Analysis |
Stephanie Savell
A small number of Iranians walk past shuttered shops on a mostly empty sidewalk.
A small number of Iranians walk past shuttered shops on a mostly empty sidewalk.

Raisi’s Hollow Ploy to Stem Iran’s Brain Drain

Without real reform at home, Iranians will continue to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Analysis |
Kourosh Ziabari
Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, president of the Economic Community of West African States, (right) makes his way to the airport after addressing the press in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Jan. 31.
Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, president of the Economic Community of West African States, (right) makes his way to the airport after addressing the press in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Jan. 31.

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?

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
China's President Xi Jinping gives a speech during the 8th Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July, 10, 2018.
China's President Xi Jinping gives a speech during the 8th Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July, 10, 2018.

Xi Jinping Has Transformed China’s Middle East Policy

Beijing was once wary of the region. Now, it’s all-in.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
A Saudi soldier takes part in a military parade January 15, 2005 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
A Saudi soldier takes part in a military parade January 15, 2005 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

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.

Analysis |
Sajjad Safaei, Trita Parsi
Bahraini, Emirati, and U.S. leaders sign the Abraham Accords.
Bahraini, Emirati, and U.S. leaders sign the Abraham Accords.

Israel’s Rewarding Road to Normalization

A little over a year after the Abraham Accords, Israel and its new Arab partners are seeing dividends.

Dispatch |
Ben Lynfield
A picture shows the scene after an explosive device exploded in a taxi in Syria's town of Azaz in the rebel-controlled northern countryside of Syria's Aleppo province near the border with Turkey, on January 13.
A picture shows the scene after an explosive device exploded in a taxi in Syria's town of Azaz in the rebel-controlled northern countryside of Syria's Aleppo province near the border with Turkey, on January 13.

Syria Is Neither Stable Nor Safe

An unfinished war has been almost forgotten by the West.

Argument |
James Snell
People displaced by conflict receive food aid and provisions to meet their basic needs at a camp in the Khokha district of Yemen's war-ravaged western province of Hodeida, on Jan. 14.
People displaced by conflict receive food aid and provisions to meet their basic needs at a camp in the Khokha district of Yemen's war-ravaged western province of Hodeida, on Jan. 14.

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.

Argument |
Maysaa Shuja al-Deen
Cameroonian President Paul Biya and first lady Chantal Biya wave to the crowd at the Africa Cup of Nations in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Jan. 9.
Cameroonian President Paul Biya and first lady Chantal Biya wave to the crowd at the Africa Cup of Nations in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Jan. 9.

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.

Argument |
Christian Freymeyer
General view of Burj Khalifa during sunset on January 3, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
General view of Burj Khalifa during sunset on January 3, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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.

Analysis |
Steven A. Cook
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna.

The Iran Nuclear Talks’ Breakout Player

Love him or hate him, Russia’s man in Vienna has become the Iran deal’s unofficial spokesman.

Report |
Colum Lynch
A protester walks a camel painted in the colors of the French flag during a mass demonstration to protest sanctions imposed on Mali by the Economic Community of West African States in Bamako, Mali, on Jan. 14.
A protester walks a camel painted in the colors of the French flag during a mass demonstration to protest sanctions imposed on Mali by the Economic Community of West African States in Bamako, Mali, on Jan. 14.

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.

Africa Brief |
Nosmot Gbadamosi
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed watches an inaugural parade.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed watches an inaugural parade.

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.

Argument |
Milkessa M. Gemechu
Yemenis inspect damage following overnight air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition targeting the Houthi rebel-held capital Sanaa on Jan. 18. The air strikes were retaliation for a deadly Jan. 17 Houthi attack against Abu Dhabi.
Yemenis inspect damage following overnight air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition targeting the Houthi rebel-held capital Sanaa on Jan. 18. The air strikes were retaliation for a deadly Jan. 17 Houthi attack against Abu Dhabi.

Yemen Has Become an Iranian Proxy War Against Israel

The United Arab Emirates faces a militant consequence of the Abraham Accords.

Argument |
Katherine Zimmerman, Nicholas A. Heras
A man covers himself with an Ethiopian flag during a rally in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 7, 2021.
A man covers himself with an Ethiopian flag during a rally in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 7, 2021.

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.

Argument |
Awol Allo
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Jan. 19, 2022.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Jan. 19, 2022.

A New Chapter for Iran and Russia

Will Raisi succeed where previous Iranian regimes have failed?

Analysis |
Alex Vatanka
Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi addresses a press conference in Tehran.
Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi addresses a press conference in Tehran.

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.

Argument |
Ray Takeyh
A protester wears a mask resembling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A protester wears a mask resembling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

How a Plea Bargain for Netanyahu Could Realign Israeli Politics

The terms offered would keep him out of prison but also out of office.

Dispatch |
Neri Zilber
A Syrian man carries an injured boy.
A Syrian man carries an injured boy.

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.

Argument |
Eliot L. Engel, Muhammad Bakr Ghbeis
A woman tweets with a smartphone.
A woman tweets with a smartphone.

How Twitter Failed Africa

Big Tech ignored policies that enable disinformation and propaganda across the continent.

Analysis |
Torinmo Salau
The Emirati, Israeli, and U.S. flags are flown from an El Al passenger aircraft after its arrival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Aug. 31, 2020.
The Emirati, Israeli, and U.S. flags are flown from an El Al passenger aircraft after its arrival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Aug. 31, 2020.

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.

Argument |
John Hannah, Jonathan Ruhe
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Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan
Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan

Beijing’s Taiwan Aggression Has Backfired in Tokyo

Military exercises have stiffened Japanese resolve.

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Russian Navy Day parade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Russian Navy Day parade.

Russia Is Readying the Zinc Coffins Again

U.S. officials believe Russia is facing its toughest fight since World War II.

Cargo ships are seen at a harbor in Taiwan.
Cargo ships are seen at a harbor in Taiwan.

Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan

The maritime insurance industry sees little elevated risk from China’s exercises.

Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.
Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.

The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too

Afghanistan’s extremist rulers are cracking down on minorities, especially Shiites, as hard as they have on women.

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