<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

Pakistan

A welcoming billboard displaying an image of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (left) and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is seen along a street in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 22, 2024. 

Energy

Politics

Pakistan and Iran's embattled pipeline project, which has faced delays amid funding issues and U.S. sanction concerns, could impede recent efforts to boost bilateral cooperation.

For Pakistan and Iran, a Delayed Pipeline Could Undermine Improved Relations

Snapshots

Moroccan Air Force mechanics examine an F-16 fighter jet at an airbase in Ben Guerir, about 58 kilometers north of Marrakesh, Morocco, on June 14, 2021. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Pressure from its pro-Palestinian population will not deter Morocco from using Israeli technology to expand its domestic weapons capabilities, as Rabat seeks to catch up to Algeria’s military power and position itself as an arms exporter.

Despite the Gaza War, Morocco-Israel Defense Ties Look Set to Deepen

Ecuador

China

Europe

A banner depicts IRGC missile models aimed at Israel on April 16 in the Iranian capital of Tehran. The ongoing confrontation may be entering a de-escalation phase after the April 19 Israeli counterstrike to Iran's April 13 salvo against Israel.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Israel-Iran Conflict, Ecuador's Constitutional Referendum

Tit-for-tat military exchanges between Iran and its proxies against Israel will likely continue, with a constant risk of escalation.

Israel Launches Measured Attack on Iran, but Escalation Risks Remain

Iran will likely respond to Israel's attack, but the scope and size of Iran's response will depend on the scope of Israel's military actions, which is unclear at this time.

Israel Responds to the Iranian Attack

The Jordanian flag. Jordan will remain aligned with the United States and Israel, which will result in a heightened risk of attacks by Iranian proxies and growing risks of radicalization.

Jordan will remain aligned with the United States and Israel, which will result in a heightened risk of attacks by Iranian proxies and growing risks of radicalization.

Jordan's Alignment With Israel Will Put It in Iran's Crosshairs

U.S.-Iran Relations

United States

A billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles pictured April 15, 2024, in Valiasr Square in central Tehran. Iran's attack against Israel and Israel's possible retaliation will increase the likelihood that Tehran will accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

Iran's attack against Israel and Israel's possible retaliation will increase the likelihood that Tehran will accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

How Israel's Response to Iran Could Accelerate the Iranian Nuclear Program

Iran's large missile and drone attack will prompt an Israeli retaliation that will focus on reestablishing deterrence and preventing future similar attacks on Israel, but in doing so, Israel risks expanding the conflict, further sinking the region into turmoil and possibly dragging in the United States.

How Israel Might Respond to the Iranian Attack

Brazil

Colombia

Germany

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) April 12 in Dausa, India.

The Weekly Rundown: Indian Elections, Scholz Goes to China

Media

Podcasts

What are Israel and Hezbollah's goals from their escalating tit-for-tat exchanges?

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for Israel and Hezbollah's Border Crisis

The United States announced that it had begun constructing a temporary pier in Gaza to support the influx and distribution of humanitarian aid, adding that the pier will likely begin operations in early May with the use of third-country lorry drivers and the Israel Defense Forces providing security, The National reported on April 25.

U.S., Israel: Construction Begins on Temporary U.S. Humanitarian Pier in Gaza

Economics

The U.S. Biden administration concluded that the human rights abuses of which Israeli forces are accused do not merit a military aid cut-off since four of the five units under investigation are taking steps to address the abuses, according to a letter written by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ABC News reported on April 26.

U.S., Israel: White House Decides Against Sanctioning Israeli Military Units

U.S.-led coalition forces in the Red Sea engaged an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels over the Gulf of Aden toward a U.S. flagged, owned and operated ship on April 24, AP reported on April 25.

Yemen: More Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea Indicate Persistent Threat to Shipping Routes

Hamas official and Palestinian Legislative Council member Khalil al-Hayya said Hamas would consider transforming into a disarmed political party in exchange for a Palestinian state, while also offering a five-year truce with Israel as a presage to such a process, AP reported on April 25. 

Israel, Gaza: Hamas Official Suggests Transforming Into a Political Party in Exchange for a Palestinian State

Taiwan

Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine and Israel that passed through the Senate in a 79-18 vote with allocations to replenish Israel's missile defense systems and augment humanitarian support to Gaza, The New York Times reported on April 24.

U.S.: Washington Approves Aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and Expands Sanctions on Iran

U.S.-China Relations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Iraq for the first time in 13 years culminated in the signing of 26 agreements, including a multilateral memorandum of understanding between the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Iraq for the Development Road project, Anadolu Agency reported on April 23.

Turkey, Iraq: Erdogan's Iraq Visit Yields Development and Security Agreements

Satellite photos showed undetermined groups constructing tents around the Gaza Strip's Israeli-controlled southern city of Khan Younis, likely in preparation for a new wave of civilian evacuations ahead of Israel's attack on the nearby city of Rafah, AP reported on April 23.

Israel, Gaza: Satellite Photos Reveal Likely Preparations for Rafah Offensive

The Palestinian militant group Hamas contacted Oman and an unnamed regional country about relocating its political leaders from Doha, Qatar, The Wall Street Journal reported on April 20.

Qatar: Hamas Reportedly Looking To Relocate Political Bureau

Middle East and North Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Israel: Construction Begins on Temporary U.S. Humanitarian Pier in Gaza

U.S., Israel: White House Decides Against Sanctioning Israeli Military Units

Yemen: More Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea Indicate Persistent Threat to Shipping Routes

Israel, Gaza: Hamas Official Suggests Transforming Into a Political Party in Exchange for a Palestinian State

U.S.: Washington Approves Aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and Expands Sanctions on Iran

Turkey, Iraq: Erdogan's Iraq Visit Yields Development and Security Agreements

Israel, Gaza: Satellite Photos Reveal Likely Preparations for Rafah Offensive

Qatar: Hamas Reportedly Looking To Relocate Political Bureau

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