<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

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (2nd-L) in the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2026.

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

While the Iraqi prime minister's visit to the White House yielded some deals, implementation constraints will likely eventually lead to renewed U.S. economic pressure, further straining Baghdad's finances.

New U.S. Agreements Unlikely to Ease Iraq's Economic Woes

Peru

United Kingdom

Ukraine

Russia

A couple rides past Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran on July 24.

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: A Likely U.S. Escalation in Iran, Zelensky Travels to Washington

U.S.-Iran Relations

Snapshots

Demonstrators yell through a megaphone and hold a framed portrait of the ousted Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman, Ogur Ozel, during an opposition rally in Izmir, Turkey, on May 24, 2026. 

The split could reduce the opposition's competitiveness in the 2028 general elections and further embolden Erdogan to pursue another term via constitutional or electoral mechanisms.

Turkey's Main Opposition Party Splits, Casting Uncertainty Over Efforts to Oust Erdogan

Yemeni protesters take part in a demonstration held to send a message of defiance against the continued siege and any military escalation involving Saudi forces against Houthi-controlled northern Yemen on July 17. 

Energy

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Forced to bypass the disrupted Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia's increased reliance on alternative routes leaves its critical oil shipments vulnerable to Houthi attacks.


Yemen's Houthis Threaten Saudi Oil Exports With Red Sea Blockade

China

Myanmar

Philippines

People pass a large banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump with a target on his head during funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leade, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 5 in Tehran, Iran.

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates, ASEAN and Major Power Foreign Ministers Meet

Vessels are seen anchored along the Strait of Hormuz on June 18, 2026. 

By demanding investment pledges from Gulf states after threatening a 20% toll, the White House is signaling its defense of global trade routes is now a transactional service rather than a core strategic commitment.

Security as a Service: The Risks of Trump's Transactionalism in the Strait of Hormuz

Media

Sub-Saharan Africa

Podcasts

Which Sub-Saharan countries face the highest risk of protests and unrest in the coming months?

The Decision Advantage: The Outlook for Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

Armed Yemeni supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi movement brandish their weapons during a protest against U.S. strikes on Iran in Sanaa on July 10, 2026. 

The attacks do not necessarily signal an immediate return to a full-scale war between the Saudis and the Houthis or a reignition of Yemen's civil conflict, but the likelihood of more frequent flare-ups in both theaters is increasing.

Saudi Arabia and the Houthis Exchange Airstrikes, Breaking Yearslong Unofficial Truce

People gather by the rubble of destroyed buildings following an Israeli strike on an industrial area in Gaza City on July 12.

Hamas will likely continue to reject full disarmament in the hope that a more moderate Israeli government will come to power following elections in the fall.


Unfeasible Plans for Gaza Governance Hinder Progress of U.S-Backed Ceasefire 

Indonesia

Singapore

Thailand

Europe

France

ASEAN leaders hold hands for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN summit in Cebu, central Philippines on May 8, 2026. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Tensions Remain High, ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet With Myanmar

On July 28, a Reuters source said Oman had convinced Gulf Arab states to agree to a proposal for a voluntary tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz to resolve the current impasse with Iran, although neither the Gulf Arab states nor Iran confirmed that such an idea was viable.

Iran, U.S.: As Calm Persists, Oman Pitches Voluntary Hormuz Toll

Iran announced on July 26 that it would suspend its attacks against regional U.S. allies and interests as long as the United States also refrains from further strikes against Iran, Reuters reported the same day.

Iran, U.S.: Room for Talks, but Escalation Risks Persist

Israel's Cabinet preliminarily approved the deployment of around 200 troops from "friendly countries" to Rafah in the Gaza Strip on July 26, the first time the government has approved the International Stabilization Force that is meant to govern Gaza under the plan promoted by the U.S.-backed Board of Peace, The Times of Israel reported on July 27.

Israel, Gaza: Minor International Force Approved for Gaza

Ninety-one Turkish lawmakers defected from the opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, to Ozgur Ozel's Yeni Parti, or New Party, DW reported on July 24.

Turkey: Mass Defections Cripple Main Opposition Party

Iranian leaders rejected a temporary U.S. ceasefire proposal that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi presented during his July 23 visit to Tehran, The New York Times reported on July 23, citing both Iraqi and Iranian officials.

U.S., Iran: Iran Rejects U.S. Ceasefire Proposal as Signs Point To U.S. Escalation

In a July 23 Truth Social post, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States' civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia would be contingent on the country joining the Abraham Accords and would not allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium.

U.S., Saudi Arabia: Trump Announces Apparent Changes to Civilian Nuclear Deal

U.S. officials said the U.S. military used a B-1 bomber for the first time in the renewed conflict with Iran to conduct July 21 attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets, Axios reported on July 22.

U.S., Iran: U.S. Uses B-1 Bombers for First Time in Renewed Conflict 

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Sudan

Environment, Science & Technology

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty accused Ethiopia of causing a reduction in downstream water levels on the Blue Nile in Sudan due to its unilateral operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Anadolu reported on July 22.

Nile Basin: Egypt, Sudan Slam Ethiopia Over Renaissance Dam's Unilateral Water Retention

Middle East and North Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Iran, U.S.: As Calm Persists, Oman Pitches Voluntary Hormuz Toll

Iran, U.S.: Room for Talks, but Escalation Risks Persist

Israel, Gaza: Minor International Force Approved for Gaza

Turkey: Mass Defections Cripple Main Opposition Party

U.S., Iran: Iran Rejects U.S. Ceasefire Proposal as Signs Point To U.S. Escalation

U.S., Saudi Arabia: Trump Announces Apparent Changes to Civilian Nuclear Deal

U.S., Iran: U.S. Uses B-1 Bombers for First Time in Renewed Conflict

Nile Basin: Egypt, Sudan Slam Ethiopia Over Renaissance Dam's Unilateral Water Retention

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