<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

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. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

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

United States

Europe

Ukraine

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.

Economics

Politics

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

Sub-Saharan Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethiopia

Tanzania

Americas

Brazil

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Cuba

Haiti

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Cambodia

China

Indonesia

North Macedonia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbia

Albania

Kosovo

Russia

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. 

Social Issues

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

Rwanda

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

Columns

On Geopolitics

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?

Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the Shijaiyah neighborhood, Gaza City, on Jan. 28, 2025, following the Hamas-Israel ceasefire.

Egypt and Jordan will reject Trump's current proposal to resettle over a million Palestinians from Gaza to their territories due to fears of stoking domestic unrest, but they will likely permit smaller, gradual resettlements via illegal smuggling routes.

Trump Wants Egypt and Jordan To Take in Palestinians From Gaza. Will They Do It?

Costa Rica

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Guatemala

Panama

Hungary

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette Rubio arrive at the State Department in Washington, D.C., to speak to employees on Jan. 21, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Expires, Rubio Tours Latin America

Media

Podcasts

Why did Syria's al Assad regime collapse so quickly after fighting reignited in November 2024?

Essential Geopolitics: Syria after al Assad

A Lebanese flag painted on a damaged building in a village in southern Lebanon is seen from a position on the Israeli side of the border on Jan. 23, 2025. 

Political and security imperatives will deter Israel from fully withdrawing from southern Lebanon by the Jan. 26 deadline outlined in its ceasefire with Hezbollah, which will risk provoking renewed Hezbollah attacks.

The Risks of a Delayed Israeli Withdrawal From Lebanon

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

Cameroon

Chad

Cote d'Ivoire

Togo

Russia's Africa Corps began deploying transmission equipment and radars at the Faya-Largeau base in northern Chad in late January, while observers have noted several individuals thought to be Africa Corps emissaries in the capital, N'Djamena, Jeune Afrique reported on Feb. 11.

Africa: Russia Expands Footprint in Chad, Upgrades Airbase in Southern Libya

Jordan's King Abdullah II met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House to discuss regional developments and Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, CNN reported on Feb. 11.

Jordan, U.S.: Jordan's King Pushes Back Against U.S. Plan To Relocate Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would resume its war in Gaza on Feb. 15 unless the Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed to release hostages per their ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported on Feb. 11.

Israel, Gaza: Netanyahu Threatens To Resume War if Hamas Does Not Release Hostages by Feb. 15

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree to end the controversial "pay for slay" system that has provided payments to the families of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel or killed in attacks against Israel, Reuters reported on Feb. 10.

Palestinian Territories: Abbas Issued Decree To End 'Pay for Slay' System

The Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas announced that it would delay its next planned release of Israeli hostages from Feb. 15 "until further notice," accusing Israel of violating the terms of their ceasefire, CNN reported on Feb. 10.

Israel, Gaza: Hamas Delays Next Prisoner Release as Ceasefire Wobbles

Lebanon's new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam formed a Cabinet of 24 ministers, including four Shiites whom the Amal Movement party (an ally of the political and militant group Hezbollah) named, as well as a fifth Shiite whom Salam picked, Reuters reported on Feb. 8.

Lebanon: Prime Minister Forms Government, Pledges Reforms and UNSC 1701

Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor, which bisects the Gaza Strip between the north and south, and thereby completed one of the conditions of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the BBC reported Feb. 9.

Israel, Palestinian Territories: IDF Withdraws from Netzarim Corridor in Gaza

Middle East and North Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

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

Africa: Russia Expands Footprint in Chad, Upgrades Airbase in Southern Libya

Jordan, U.S.: Jordan's King Pushes Back Against U.S. Plan To Relocate Palestinians

Israel, Gaza: Netanyahu Threatens To Resume War if Hamas Does Not Release Hostages by Feb. 15

Palestinian Territories: Abbas Issued Decree To End 'Pay for Slay' System

Israel, Gaza: Hamas Delays Next Prisoner Release as Ceasefire Wobbles

Lebanon: Prime Minister Forms Government, Pledges Reforms and UNSC 1701

Israel, Palestinian Territories: IDF Withdraws from Netzarim Corridor in Gaza

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