<p>The Middle East and North Africa is the world&#39;s crossroads. It encompasses the Arabian Peninsula, the mountains of Iran, the plains of Turkey, the deserts of the Levant, the lands north of the Sahara and all coasts in between. The story of the region, as is so often the case of places stuck between foreign players, is the story of trade, exchange and conflict. The traditional powers of the region are Turkey and Iran &mdash; Saudi Arabia and Egypt are the current Arab powers &mdash; and their competition for influence over the region&#39;s weaker states makes the Middle East and North Africa an arena of violence and instability.</p>

The Middle East and North Africa encompasses the Arabian Peninsula, the mountains of Iran, the plains of Turkey, the deserts of the Levant, the lands north of the Sahara and all coasts in between.

Middle East and North Africa

Algeria

Bahrain

Egypt

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Libya

Morocco

Oman

Palestinian Territories

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Western Sahara

Yemen

The Syrian Civil War

The Yemen Civil War

The Libyan Civil War

The Fight Against the Islamic State

The Saudi Survival Strategy

The Kurdish Struggle

Iran's Arc of Influence

Israel's Survival Strategy

The Difficulties of North African Reform

Egypt's Uphill Battle

The Battle for Mosul

Assessments

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan welcomes his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani before attending an Arab officials' meeting in Riyadh on Jan. 12, 2025.

Military & Security

Politics

Saudi Arabia's re-engagement with Lebanon, Syria and Iraq aims to counterbalance Turkey, Qatar and Iran but faces limits due to sectarian politics and foreign interference, which may make Riyadh more assertive over time.

Saudi Arabia Moves To Counterbalance Turkey and Qatar, Replace Iran in the Levant

Columns

On Geopolitics

United States

Armenia

Ukraine

Azerbaijan

Russia

Crowds of Palestinians gather to receive food outside a U.N. aid distribution center in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah on Nov. 2, 2024.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Social Issues

The displacement of any Palestinians from the Gaza Strip will further erode post-World War II norms against population transfers, laying the groundwork for future global conflicts.

Trump's Gaza Plan Risks Further Eroding Global Constraints on Population Removals

Fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stand atop a humvee in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province during a joint military exercise with the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State on Sept. 7, 2022.

The threat of a Turkish offensive and decreasing U.S. aid will increasingly pressure the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces to reach a deal with Syria's new government. 

The Uncertain Future of U.S.-Backed Kurds in Syria

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethiopia

Kenya

Rwanda

Sri Lanka

Damage on Feb. 13 in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Economics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Mideast Ceasefires and Arab Gaza Proposals, the AU Summit

Supporters of Yemen's Houthi movement brandish weapons and chant slogans as they take part in a protest staged in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza on Jan. 17, 2025, in Sanaa, Yemen. 

The Houthis' intervention in the Israel-Hamas war has bolstered their military capabilities and domestic influence, which could embolden them to launch renewed offensives in southern Yemen.

What Will Yemen's Houthis Do With Their New-Found Strength?

Ecuador

Europe

India

Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to the press in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2024.

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Meets With India and Jordan's Leaders, Ecuador Holds Elections

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tanzania

Americas

Brazil

Colombia

Cuba

Haiti

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Cambodia

China

Indonesia

North Macedonia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbia

Albania

Kosovo

South Asia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

The lobby of the headquarters for the U.S. Agency for International Development is seen on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Cuts to U.S.-funded humanitarian and development programs could worsen global health outcomes, destabilize security environments, accelerate democratic backsliding, and create opportunities for rival powers to expand their influence.

The Global Implications of Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts

A shuttered hotel is seen in Aleppo, Syria, on Jan. 24, 2025. 

To secure sanctions relief from the West, Syria's new leaders will likely take some symbolic steps toward forming an inclusive government, but any relief may prove temporary if Damascus diverges from its democratic promises.

The Prospect of Sanctions Relief for Post-Assad Syria

Canada

Mexico

United Kingdom

Trucks wait to enter United States on Nov. 26, 2024, at the Otay crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico.

The Weekly Rundown: Trump's Tariffs, Congo Braces for More Fighting in the East

Syria’s de-facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa addresses a crowd at a mosque in Damascus on Dec. 8, 2024.

While Syrians will drive their country's destiny, external influence from regional and global powers could determine what kind of government replaces the deposed Assad regime.

Syria's Future: Islamist Republic, Turkish Client State, or Jihadist Stronghold?

Mali

Canadian mining company Barrick Gold signed a new agreement to resolve a nearly two-year dispute over its mining operations in Mali, although the junta has yet to approve the deal formally, Reuters reported on Feb. 19. 

Mali: Barrick Gold Claims Agreement With Malian Junta To End Mining Dispute

Following Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's Feb. 17-18 visit to India, the two countries released a joint statement in which Qatar pledged to invest $10 billion across a range of Indian sectors, including infrastructure, technology and manufacturing, Reuters reported on Feb. 18.

India, Qatar: Qatar Pledges to Invest $10B in India

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, agreed to integrate with the Syrian army under the Ministry of Defense, and the government will establish joint committees with representation from the Syrian Kurds to ensure all sides enforce the agreement, The New Arab reported on Feb. 18, citing a statement from the commander of the SDF’s northern brigade.

Syria: SDF To Integrate Into Syrian Army

Somalia

Ethiopia and Somalia began holding their first round of technical talks over Ethiopia's quest to secure maritime access through Somalia in Turkey, Addis Standard reported on Feb. 18.

Ethiopia, Somalia: Governments Begin Technical Talks Over Maritime Access 

The Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, will remain at five strategic outposts in southern Lebanon despite the Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline due to Israel's worries about the Lebanese Armed Forces' constrained willingness and ability to enforce Hezbollah's disarmament, CNN reported on Feb. 18.

Israel, Lebanon: IDF To Remain in Lebanon Past Withdrawal Deadline

Cyprus

Energy

Cyprus and Egypt signed agreements that would see Cyprus send offshore natural gas to Egypt, where liquefaction facilities at Idku and Damietta would commercialize and reexport the gas, AP reported on Feb. 17.

Cyprus, Egypt: Countries Sign Agreements To Export Cypriot Gas via Egypt

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he considered U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza as the only "viable" path forward, AP reported on Feb. 16.

Israel, Gaza: Israelis Move Ahead With 'Voluntary' Population Transfer Plan

Hamas said it would release Israeli hostages as previously planned on Feb. 15 and uphold the ceasefire deal with Israel following Egyptian and Qatari mediation, BBC reported on Feb. 13.

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Hamas To Release Hostages as Scheduled on Feb. 15

Middle East and North Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Mali: Barrick Gold Claims Agreement With Malian Junta To End Mining Dispute

India, Qatar: Qatar Pledges to Invest $10B in India

Syria: SDF To Integrate Into Syrian Army

Ethiopia, Somalia: Governments Begin Technical Talks Over Maritime Access

Israel, Lebanon: IDF To Remain in Lebanon Past Withdrawal Deadline

Cyprus, Egypt: Countries Sign Agreements To Export Cypriot Gas via Egypt

Israel, Gaza: Israelis Move Ahead With 'Voluntary' Population Transfer Plan

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Hamas To Release Hostages as Scheduled on Feb. 15

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