Middle East & North Africa
US Special Envoy for Yemen Returns from UAE, Saudi Arabia as War Fades From Headlines
Tim Lenderking, US Special Envoy for Yemen, returned Wednesday from a week-long trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia “where he met with Emirati, Saudi, Yemeni officials and…
Qatar Hosting World Cup Highlights “Sportswashing” Trend in the Middle East
The 2022 FIFA World Cup begins on Nov. 20 in the small Arab nation of Qatar.
Left Wing Loses Power in Israel with the Resurgence of Benjamin Netanyahu
In the wake of Israel’s fifth legislative election since 2019, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid conceded to Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov. 3.
US Treasury Department Issues Sanctions for Scheme to Export Iranian Oil Despite Hezbollah, IRGC Restrictions
On November 3, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a series of sanctions against dozens of individuals, companies, and oil tankers for their role in the export of Iranian oil to global markets, violating American sanctions against the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and Hezbollah on antiterrorism grounds (E.O. 13224).
Questions on Palestine, Food Insecurity Highlight First Arab League Meeting
The Arab League held its first summit in three years in Algeria, on Nov. 2, where economic concerns sparked by the war in Ukraine, and tensions between Israel and Palestine remained at the heart of discussions.
Egypt Taking Advantage of COP27 to Bring Attention to Regional Climate Issues
The 27th annual United Nations meeting on global climate policy, more commonly called COP27 (Conference of the Parties), will commence in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on Nov. 6.
Demise of Russian Grain Deal Threatens Middle East, Africa
Earlier this week, a landmark deal to allow for the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports collapsed, magnifying a crisis of food instability in the Middle East and Africa that predated Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (and subsequent mining of the Black Sea) and has only expanded since then.
Five Palestinian Militants Killed in an Israeli Raid in the West Bank
Tensions in the West Bank have risen again after Israeli security forces killed five Palestinian militants in the city of Nablus on Oct. 25. According to Palestinian health officials, over 20 Palestinians were also injured in subsequent clashes.
Russian Oligarch Admits Ties to Wagner Group, Accused of War Crimes in Syria
Less than a decade after the Kremlin had denied the fledgling Wagner Group's existence, a close associate of the Russian president admitted to founding and managing the group.
Iran Ramps up Military Support of Russia by Selling Missiles and Drones
Iranian officials are planning to increase the country’s military support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by sending, for the first time, “surface-to-surface” missiles intended for use against Ukrainian cities and troop positions.
Feminist Protests in Iran Ignite a Larger Movement Against the Regime
As demonstrations in Iran reach their fourth week, it is clear that this wave of unrest concerns more than just women’s rights. Protesters are not just demanding reform in Iran, but outright regime change from the current theocratic leadership.
Tunisia’s Referendum: The End of the Last Hope of the Arab Spring
At 11:30 am on the morning of Dec. 11, 2011, Mohamed Bouazizi, a fruit vendor in the small Tunisian city of Sidi Bouzid, publicly committed an ultimately fatal act of self-immolation in protest of his family’s perceived mistreatment by corrupt and repressive local police. Street protests followed across Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Libya, and beyond, kicking off the period of pro-democracy optimism known as the “Arab Spring.” Muammar Al-Gaddafi was forced from power and executed in Libya, Egypt’s long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak stepped down, and Algeria ended the 19-year-long state of emergency that had allowed unchecked abuses by security forces.
OPEC Cutting Oil Production Defines Saudi Arabia's Global Influence
On Oct. 5, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its partner nations announced a collective production cut to two million barrels of oil per day, spiking energy prices worldwide. OPEC, primarily led by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf State allies, controls an enormous share of the global energy market and utilizes this leverage with little resistance.
Israel’s Efforts to Influence Negotiations on the Iran Nuclear Deal Reflect a Longer History of Opposition
As the Biden administration leads efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Israeli officials have once again expressed their concern that the deal will not be enough to halt Iran’s nuclear development.
Inflation Spreads to North Africa as War in Ukraine Spikes Grain, Fertilizer Prices
More than a month after Russia launched a further invasion against Ukraine, the effects of the war are still reverberating across the world.
Close the Sky: No-Fly Zones in Contemporary Military Conflicts
As pitched resistance continues in the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian activists and peace protestors around the world have called on NATO to counter the invasion in an ostensibly non-military manner
Confusion Engulfs Libya as PM Fights Replacement
Earlier this month, Libya's House of Representatives (HoR) in Tobruk announced their nomination of Fathi Bashaga for Prime Minister, despite the position of Prime Minister in the UN-backed Government
Turkey, Ukraine, & the Crimean Tatars: Between Diaspora & World Powers
Last week, as the threat of further Russian aggression loomed over Ukraine, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan traveled to Kyiv in an effort to ameliorate tensions.