<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

Snapshots

Supporters of Tunisia's General Labour Union (UGTT) wave the national flag during a rally in Tunis on Aug. 21, 2025.

Economics

Politics

If the UGTT fails to resolve internal disputes and stage an effective national strike, President Saied will likely launch an expanded crackdown that further weakens the powerful labor union and, consequently, its private-sector bargaining power.

In Tunisia, UGTT Infighting Risks Playing Into President Saied's Hands

Assessments

United States

Japan

Thailand

Bangladesh

Campaign posters Feb. 6 of candidates running in the upcoming Japanese House of Representatives election, in Inagi, Tokyo prefecture.

Military & Security

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

The Weekly Rundown: Japan Holds Snap Elections, U.S. Weighs Options After Iran Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

Ukraine

Russia

Emirati flags on Feb. 4 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. On Feb. 4-5, delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States held a second round of trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The talks are unlikely to produce a near-term settlement, as Russia will continue to press its territorial demands while using diplomacy to manage sanctions pressure and build leverage ahead of a spring-summer offensive.

The Limits of Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Talks

Europe

A digital satellite illustration shows Europe at night.

Energy

The EU enlargement chief's upcoming visit to Turkey signals an attempt to balance cautious engagement with clear strategic interests, rather than an imminent breakthrough on the country's stalled accession process.

Understanding the EU's Strategic Reengagement With Turkey

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (center) delivers a speech during a campaign rally in Baghdad ahead of parliamentary elections on Nov. 7, 2025. 

If former Prime Minister al-Maliki overcomes challenges to form a new cabinet, it would likely deepen sectarian divisions, embolden Iran-backed militias and increase Iraq's exposure to U.S. financial and/or military pressure.

In Iraq, the Potential Return of a Divisive Leader Raises Alarm

A man walks past a mural painted on the outer walls of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Despite recent momentum toward restarting talks, a deal will likely remain elusive due to the U.S.'s maximalist demands and Iran's red lines, sustaining the risk of U.S. (and likely Israeli) military action in the coming weeks. 

Can New U.S.-Iran Talks Avert a Greater Conflict?

Colombia

Iranian newspapers one of them (R) with a headline in Persian reading "Iran is ready for a big response," Jan. 27 in Tehran in Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a range of military options against Iran.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Colombian Presidents Meet, The Threat of U.S. Strikes on Iran

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces stands on a road between the Syrian villages of Safa and Tell Brak on Jan. 24, 2026.

The government's deal with the Kurdish-led SDF will reduce sectarian tensions, accelerate a U.S. withdrawal and open space for a Syria-Israel security pact, though risks from local violence and the Islamic State remain.

What a Kurdish Integration Deal Means for Syria's Stability

Columns

On Geopolitics

A Syrian flag flutters above crowds gathering in central Hama, Syria, during celebrations on Dec. 5, 2025, marking one year since the fall of former President Bashar al Assad's regime.

The third Syrian state, under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, will likely emerge as a Turkish-aligned, authoritarian regime that prioritizes internal stability, reconstruction and regional neutrality, as it tries to avoid its predecessors' mistakes and excesses.

The Third Syrian State: Autocracy, Alignment and Al-Sharaa's Unique Neutrality

China

South Korea

United Kingdom

India

Egyptian trucks and heavy machinery on Oct. 26, 2025, on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A Gaza Border Reopening, EU Leaders Visit India

Australia

Police and thousands of demonstrators clashed near Sydney Town Hall during protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia, with 27 arrests reported and police using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds, Reuters reported on Feb. 10.

Australia, Israel: Protesters Clash With Police During Israeli President's Visit

Indonesia

Indonesia's military says it is preparing a potential deployment of roughly 5,000 to 8,000 troops to Gaza as part of the U.S.-envisioned international stabilization force, with training oriented toward engineering, medical and reconstruction tasks, the Jakarta Globe reported on Feb. 10.

Indonesia, Gaza: Jakarta Moving Toward Deploying Thousands of Troops to Gaza

Israel's Southern Command has been building operational plans for a long offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip should the government conclude that disarming the group is no longer feasible through diplomacy, The Times of Israel reported on Feb. 10.

Israel, Gaza: Israel Drawing Up Fresh War Plans for Gaza

Armenia

Armenia and the United States signed a joint statement on the completion of negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement during U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to Yerevan, Reuters reported on Feb. 9. 

Armenia, U.S.: Washington Deepens Armenia Ties With Nuclear Deal During Vance Visit

Somalia

Saudi Arabia's and Somalia's defense ministers signed a new defense agreement on the sidelines of the World Defense Show in Riyadh on Feb. 9, the two governments said.

Saudi Arabia, Somalia: Defense Agreement Will Bolster Somalia's Capabilities

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved measures to expand Israeli administration over some religious sites in the West Bank, expand Israeli oversight and enforcement in some Palestinian Authority-administered areas, and remove restrictions that prevent private Jewish citizens from purchasing land in the West Bank, Reuters reported on Feb. 8.

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Measures To Facilitate West Bank Settlement

Algeria began canceling its 2013 air service agreement with the United Arab Emirates, marking the latest deterioration in ties between the two countries, Reuters reported on Feb. 7.

Algeria, UAE: Algeria Begins Canceling Air Service Agreement With UAE

QatarEnergy is delaying the startup of its expansion of the North Field East liquefied natural gas project until at least the fourth quarter of 2026 and potentially early 2027, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 9. 

Qatar: QatarEnergy's LNG Expansion Project Start-Up Delayed to at Least Q4

Middle East and North Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Australia, Israel: Protesters Clash With Police During Israeli President's Visit

Indonesia, Gaza: Jakarta Moving Toward Deploying Thousands of Troops to Gaza

Israel, Gaza: Israel Drawing Up Fresh War Plans for Gaza

Armenia, U.S.: Washington Deepens Armenia Ties With Nuclear Deal During Vance Visit

Saudi Arabia, Somalia: Defense Agreement Will Bolster Somalia's Capabilities

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Measures To Facilitate West Bank Settlement

Algeria, UAE: Algeria Begins Canceling Air Service Agreement With UAE

Qatar: QatarEnergy's LNG Expansion Project Start-Up Delayed to at Least Q4

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