Syrian FM on official visit to Egypt

Earlier in February, Egypt's foreign minister visited Damascus following the devastating earthquake, in the first high-level visit of an Egyptian official since the start of the US-backed war on Syria in 2011

Turkish FM arrives in Egypt to discuss resumption of relations

The move to repair relations between Egypt and Turkiye comes amid a broader trend towards normalization between various West Asian countries

Egypt and Turkiye brought closer together after high-level diplomatic visit

This is the first time in ten years that there has been a top-level visit by an Egyptian minister to Turkiye

Egyptian FM in Syria for first high-level visit since 2011

The Egyptian diplomat was received by his Syrian counterpart, and met with President Bashar al-Assad, signifying Damascus’ gradual return to the regional fold

Delegations from Iran, Egypt meet in Oman capital: Report

The meetings were held during the recent visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in the Omani capital

From hostility to normalization: The ebbs and flows of Sudan-Israel relations

Sudan's relations with Israel have vacillated between periods of hostility and outreach. Today, Khartoum's leaders view these ties as a means to gain international legitimacy, while Tel Aviv aims to eliminate Khartoum as a haven for pro-Iran and Palestinian resistance factions.

Israel approves new settlements despite Sharm al-Sheikh commitments

Israel continues its 'Facts on the ground' strategy to prevent any return to the pre-1967 borders and to ensure lasting Israeli control over occupied Palestine

Russian-Turkish ‘co-opetition’ from Syria to Nagorno-Karabakh

At a time when conflicts are increasingly interconnected, and provide tactical levers to assert pressure elsewhere, the competition between Russia-Iran and Turkiye in Syria and the South Caucasus is destined to overlap.

Lebanese banks liable for financial collapse claim ‘no liquidity’ to pay back depositors

Several Lebanese commercial banks have been charged with money laundering

Turkish elections: Can Erdogan maintain his grip on power?

The outcome of Turkiye’s upcoming vote could determine whether Ankara returns to a western-oriented foreign policy, or if Erdogan strengthens the country's autonomous direction.

Israeli minister calls for Palestinian village to be ‘wiped out’

Calls by Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich to destroy the Palestinian village of Huwara raises fears of a second Nakba

Lebanon teeters on the edge as currency loses nearly 100 percent of its value

Last year, a senior US official warned that the Lebanese will 'likely have to endure more pain' before the country is allowed to climb out of crisis

Jordan’s Game of Thrones: Power struggle of the Hashemite family

The Jordanian monarchy is facing an uncertain future due to internal conflicts over which Queen's son will succeed to the throne. Amid ongoing public protests against corruption and economic decline, this royal power struggle could have regional geopolitical implications.

Why the CIA attempted a ‘Maidan uprising’ in Brazil

The failed coup in Brazil is the latest CIA stunt, just as the country is forging stronger ties with the east.

Predictions for 2023? Annus horribilis with some surprising upsides

The Cradle's writers offer up their predictions for 2023. The common theme is massive global shifts, some good, some bad.

Goodbye G20, hello BRICS+

The increasingly irrelevant G20 Summit concluded with sure signs that BRICS+ will be the way forward for Global South cooperation.

Lebanese PM calls on Arab League for help to get out of crisis

Lebanon has been going through a severe economic crisis that has worsened amid a fuel shortage

Mustafa Al-Kadhimi: The Iraqi PM who did nothing

Following his meteoric rise in Iraqi politics, what has been the legacy of Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and whose interests did he really serve?

USAID earmarks $29.5mln for Lebanon to counter aid offers from Iran and Russia

The donation from Washington comes at a time when both Moscow and Tehran are awaiting a response from Lebanese officials to provide the country with grain and fuel

Lebanon’s decision to accept Iranian fuel ‘in the hands of the PM’: Energy Minister

Iran has reportedly offered to provide Lebanon with fuel shipments 'free of charge' to help the country restart its stagnant power plants

Russia in Africa: Connecting continents with soft power

Rather than continental, Russian and Chinese-led infrastructural development in Africa should be seen as part of a grander project of Afro-Asiatic integration

Hamas return ticket to Damascus won’t come cheap

The Palestinian resistance movement’s complicated relationship with Syria is headed for a reset, but it won’t be on their terms.

Turkey swings west: the Ukraine war and domestic elections

Ankara’s rapprochement with the US has been accelerated by events in Ukraine. These ties will also shape Turkey domestically, with or without a 2023 Erdogan electoral win.

Hamas and Turkey: Is the honeymoon over?

Hamas' rifts with Turkey are not unprecedented, but this time Erdogan risks losing the Palestinian resistance card to Iran, Syria and Lebanon if he continues to overplay his hand.

US ousts Imran Khan but his revolutionary narrative endures

Washington has reactivated old cronies in Islamabad to unseat PM Imran Khan, but the latter has sown seeds of immense dissatisfaction with the old guard and their US backers within the Pakistani public. And Khan's domestic and foreign allies will not sit by idly either.

Prince Hamzah bin Hussein of Jordan relinquishes royal title

Hamzah bin Hussein has been an outspoken critic of the Jordanian royal family and other ruling elites

Hamas: despite spoilers, Resistance Axis direction solidifies

Hamas has decided to upgrade its relations with the Resistance Axis to a "strategic relationship," but Meshaal and the Salafist current remain spoilers

Why does Turkey have 38 illegal bases in northern Iraq?

The illegal Turkish military presence in Iraq is a blatant violation of that country's territorial integrity. While Ankara claims it is a national security priority, it actually uses this military cover to influence and manage Iraqi and regional affairs.

An Emirati Trojan horse in Turkey

Erdogan welcomed MbZ with open arms and gained $10 billion for it; chump change for the Emirati crown prince who is on a quest to reshape West Asia

Russia is primed for a Persian Gulf security ‘makeover’

Russia is the one state with the necessary clout, tools, sweeteners and relationships to nudge the Persian Gulf into a new security paradigm