<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

United States

Europe

An image of the Turkish flag. 

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Turkey Holds a Presidential Runoff, U.S. Debt Ceiling Talks Enter Crunch Time

U.S.-China Relations

Low water levels are seen at the Sidi Salem Dam, Tunisia's largest embankment dam, on April 6, 2023. 

Social Issues

Water and food shortages this summer will increase socioeconomic risks in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, along with the impetus for more sustainable agricultural practices. 

After a Dry Spring, Northwest Africa Braces for Disruptive Crop Failures

Media

Podcasts

Does the opposition still have a chance to take the presidency?

Essential Geopolitics: What to Expect from Turkey's Runoff Election

Columns

On Geopolitics

Syrian President Bashar al Assad is seen in Damascus, Syria, on May 3, 2023. 

Military & Security

Arab states are offering the Syrian president restored diplomacy in exchange for dismantling the warlord political model that helped him survive years of civil war. 

For Assad, Syria-Arab Normalization May Come With a Poisoned Chalice

Snapshots

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves to his supporters from a balcony in Ankara, Turkey, on May 15, 2023. 

The opposition’s failure to secure a majority in parliament and win the first round of the presidential election increases the likelihood of Erdogan securing another term in the May 28 run-off.

In Turkey, a Presidential Run-Off Bodes Well for Erdogan

China

Japan

Thailand

Ukraine

Russia

Supporters of AKP and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 12, 2023, in Istanbul.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A G-7 Summit in Japan, Significant Elections in Turkey

Syrian Kurds gather in the northeastern city of Qamishli on May 10, 2023, to show their support for the Turkish opposition ahead of Turkey's election. Images of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), are seen on some demonstrators' placards and clothing.

If the majority of Kurds vote for Kilicdaroglu, he stands a good chance of defeating Erodgan and ending years of hawkish government policies toward the ethnic group.

In Turkey's Election, the Kurds Will Be the Kingmaker

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi addresses those participating in his government's national dialogue event via video conference on May 3, 2023. 

The government's tightly-controlled dialogue may leave room for minor economic reforms, but it's unlikely to produce the serious political changes more Egyptians are demanding.

In Egypt, a National Dialogue in Name Only

Opposition supporters wave Turkish flags and chant slogans while waiting for the arrival of their presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu during a campaign rally in Izmir, Turkey, on April 30, 2023.

The May 14 legislative and presidential ballot could end the AKP's 20-year reign, raising the risk of political instability, policymaking paralysis and even a constitutional crisis.

The Potential Outcomes of Turkey's General Election

Chile

South Korea

Russian soldiers march in Moscow on May 4, 2023, during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade on May 9.

The Weekly Rundown: Russia Marks Victory Day, Japan's Leader Visits South Korea

Canada

The Saudi and Canadian foreign ministers announced on May 24 that they would restore their pre-2018 diplomatic relations, appointing mutual ambassadors and ending any lingering trade or business freezes, CNBC reported the next day.

Saudi Arabia, Canada: Countries to Resume Pre-2018 Diplomatic Relations

Turkey's far-right Victory Party announced its support for opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu prior to the May 28 runoff, AP reported on May 24.

Turkey: Kilicdaroglu Lands Some Nationalist Support From Victory Party

Israel’s Knesset passed the 2023-24 national budget in a 64-55 vote, and ultra-Orthodox parties won expanded financial support for their education and social priorities, The Times of Israel reported on May 24.

Israel: National Budget Passes Full of Ultra-Orthodox Social Spending

Israeli military authorities on May 18 approved the rebuilding of the Jewish settlement Homesh in the West Bank, which the Israeli government unilaterally evacuated in 2005 as part of efforts to end the second Intifada (Palestinian uprising), The Times of Israel reported May 22.

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Israeli Authorities Approve Settlement Construction in West Bank, Jerusalem

Sinan Ogan, the third runner-up in Turkey's May 14 presidential elections for the nationalist ATA Alliance, endorsed incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of the upcoming May 28 runoff between Erdogan and his opponent, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Al Jazeera reported on May 22.

Turkey: Ogan Endorses Erdogan Ahead of Runoff Presidential Election

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi appointed Ali Akbar Ahmadian as the new secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, replacing longtime secretary Ali Shamkhani, AP reported on May 22.

Iran: Tehran Appoints New Head of Supreme National Security Council

Syrian President Bashar al Assad arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for his first Arab League summit since Syria's civil war began in 2011, the Financial Times reported on May 19.

Syria: Al Assad Attends Arab League Summit Riyadh

Pakistan

Energy

Leaders from Pakistan and Iran inaugurated a border market in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, as well as an electricity transmission line that will provide Iranian electricity to some of Pakistan's rural areas, AP reported on May 18.

Pakistan, Iran: Inauguration of Border Market, Electricity Transmission Line Signals Warming Relations

Middle East and North Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Saudi Arabia, Canada: Countries to Resume Pre-2018 Diplomatic Relations

Turkey: Kilicdaroglu Lands Some Nationalist Support From Victory Party

Israel: National Budget Passes Full of Ultra-Orthodox Social Spending

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Israeli Authorities Approve Settlement Construction in West Bank, Jerusalem

Turkey: Ogan Endorses Erdogan Ahead of Runoff Presidential Election

Iran: Tehran Appoints New Head of Supreme National Security Council

Syria: Al Assad Attends Arab League Summit Riyadh

Pakistan, Iran: Inauguration of Border Market, Electricity Transmission Line Signals Warming Relations

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