Advancing Stability and Opportunity in the Middle East and North Africa
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Seasons of light: Ramadan through ancient travellers’ eyes
From Mecca and Damascus to Cairo, travellers across the centuries recorded the rhythms of Ramadan, documenting lantern-lit mosques, night prayers,…
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Iran, Mojtaba and the future of the Islamic Republic
Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s new Supreme Leader marks the most consequential political transition in the Islamic Republic in more…
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MBS, Guardian of Holy Places, Master of the Unholy Game
How the House of Saud weaponized Islam, at home and abroad, while its elite played by entirely different rules
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Integration or conflict in northeastern Syria? Ten key points to consider
While Damascus seeks substantive progress on the big files of military, security, and governance integration, recent hostilities and heightened emotions…
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What Drives Iranian Protests? Voices from the Streets
Demonstrations in cities across Iran appear to be panicking the regime, leading to internet blackouts and fears of reprisals over…
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How Damascus and the SDF came to blows in Aleppo — and what might come next
As a senior official in US Central Command made clear when speaking to the author, the challenge now is urgent: “The…
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Iran’s coming reckoning: Regime collapse is likely — democracy is not
In an ideal world, democratic forces inside Iran and supporters outside the country would work in close coordination: internal actors…
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Ankara’s double win: Kurds, Israel, and the new Syria
From Ankara’s perspective, once the SDF issue is settled, a division of influence in Syria — Israel in the south,…
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Geopolitical miscalculations: The case against Russia’s presence in Syria
Equally important, the EU must maintain a firm stance on the necessity of adhering to the promised inclusive transition process,…
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Food Security in a Changing Climate: Sudan’s Crisis and the Broader MENA Struggle
Sudan now sits at the center of one of the most severe food security crises in the Middle East and…
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Trade Corridors and Economic Partnerships in the Horn of Africa: Ethiopia and Djibouti at the Centre of Regional Integration
The Horn of Africa is entering a period of renewed focus on regional connectivity and economic cooperation. For decades, trade…