Iran and Hormuz: A Map of Gulf Divisions
When Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in direct retaliation for the American-Israeli strikes on its territory that began on February 28, 2026, it did not merely shut down a…
Turkey / Israel: From Verbal Rivalry to the Brink of Confrontation
The News Israeli and Turkish leaders have engaged in an unprecedented exchange of attacks on social media. On April 11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip…
Iran-Port Sudan Military Coordination, and the Channels It Operates Through
The News Federal authorities arrested Shamim Mafi, 44, an Iranian national and lawful permanent resident of California since 2016, at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday, April 18, 2026. She…
The Fertilizer Crisis and the Specter of Famine
The News UN Secretary-General António Guterres has established an emergency task force to secure the passage of fertilizers and agricultural raw materials through the Strait of Hormuz for humanitarian purposes,…
Between the Base and the Deal: What Abu Dhabi Is Really Saying to Washington
The News Dr. Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, a political science professor with close ties to Abu Dhabi’s decision-making circles, raised fundamental questions about the future of U.S. military bases on Emirati…
The Iran War and Egypt’s IMF Dilemma
The Story Egypt’s independent outlet Al Manassa reported that Cairo is exploring an emergency IMF loan of $1.5–$3 billion in the wake of the Iran war’s economic fallout. The report…
Sudan File | Riyadh Freezes Pakistan’s Arms Deal
The News Pakistan has suspended a $1.5 billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan after Saudi Arabia asked for the agreement to be terminated and refused to finance…
A Unified International Position: Condemning Israel’s Diplomatic Representation in “Somaliland”
The News The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Federal Republic of Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Bangladesh, Algeria, Palestine, Turkey, and Indonesia issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israel’s announcement…
The Gulf Rivalry Reaches Islamabad: Saudi and Emirati Influence in Pakistan
The News Saudi Arabia provided $2 billion to help Pakistan close a major funding gap tied to debts owed to the UAE. Pakistan’s central bank confirmed the money has arrived.…
Africa and the Middle East – Monday, April 20, 2026
File 1: Strait of Hormuz on the Edge — Ceasefire Expires Wednesday What Happened The US-Iran ceasefire expires Wednesday evening. President Trump said today that an extension is ‘highly unlikely.’…