Middle Orient

It was no surprise to see the newly elected Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, choose Saudi Arabia as the destination of his first official visit within weeks of assuming power. What was more surprising, however, was the joint announcement that emerged from this two-day visit in early April, which not …

The recent blow-for-blow strikes by Iran and Israel are bound to result in some introspection in Tehran, although this will not be immediately evident. For now, Iranian officials are seeking to show that the fusillade of drones and missiles the Islamic Republic fired at Israel on April 13 has reestablished …

Tensions between the United States and China are expanding beyond the Asia-Pacific region. The Middle East and North Africa is likely to be one of many venues in what might be a new Cold War between Washington and Beijing. We can imagine how Washington and Beijing’s respective global outlooks and …

Latest Developments Hamas condemned the Palestinian Authority (PA) on May 2 for the death of a terrorist in a West Bank shootout. Earlier on May 2, PA security forces in the West Bank city of Tulkarm shot a gunman who opened fire on their patrol. Several reports suggest that the …

The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that its forces had taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli army stated that its 401st Armored Brigade had taken “operational control” of the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side. It …

The Israeli negotiating team will depart for Egypt today for ceasefire talks and discussions on a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas. “The team will go to Cairo to listen and ask questions because the gap is significant,” said an unnamed Israeli official to Israel’s Channel 12. The Palestinian Hamas movement …

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern on Tuesday over the escalation of Israeli military activities in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. “I am disturbed by the Israeli military activity in Rafah,” Guterres said at a press conference. Emphasizing the immense importance of reopening the Rafah and Kerem …

A Lebanese media outlet published on May 1 the purported text of the Egyptian-proposed ceasefire agreement that Hamas is considering.[i] The reported proposal addresses all of Hamas’ maximalist demands except for a permanent ceasefire.[ii] Hamas would not likely adhere to a permanent ceasefire, however, given that Hamas has violated previous …

Campus protests in solidarity with Palestine have been met with brute police force and condemnation of the participants. Their mobilization is a threat to the political system, which cannot operate as the ruling class would like if large numbers of people engage in active dissent. “As the ICJ is saying, …

On April 13, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel, prompting Jordan to assist in defense. Initial reports suggested broader Arab involvement, indicating a potential shift in regional dynamics. However, these claims were later refuted. Despite this, Israeli leaders and some in Washington saw it as a signal …