Analysis North Africa’s rail race spurred by World Cup, trade and bullet trains Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are betting on high-speed rail, long-distance routes and expanded networks to improve their economic outlook and project power. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria. Algeria
Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country. Algeria
Italy's Eni to invest $26B in Egypt, Libya, Algeria energy projects Eni is already a leading foreign energy company in the region, with footholds in Algeria, Egypt and Libya. Libya
Analysis How France’s growing Morocco ties fueled diplomatic crisis with Algeria By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Algeria becomes first foreign buyer of Russia's Su-57 fighter jet: What to know By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset? By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Saudi Arabia's estrangement Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman got into the G-20 group photo, but his brand remains very toxic. Saudi Arabia
Congress seeks more control over North Africa counterterror program Lawmakers want a coherent strategy for the desert region from the Donald Trump administration. North Africa
Gazans flee to Europe, illegally Palestinians are increasingly seeking to leave the Gaza Strip given the deteriorating living conditions, seeking refuge in Europe. Palestine
Middle East pins Oscar hopes on young directors From Lebanon to Egypt to Tunisia, regional countries' Academy Awards nominees for best foreign language film are mostly the works of young directors and center on the lives of young adults and children. Egypt
Israel’s 'UNRWA dilemma' Israel is worried about UNRWA's announcement that due to cuts in US funding, it will not be able to open schools in the West Bank for the academic year scheduled to begin Sept. 1. Palestine
Congress seeks uptick in North Africa operations The House Homeland Security panel chief wants to boost funding for counterterrorism in the Sahara region. North Africa
Morocco-Algeria tensions flare over claims of Hezbollah support to Polisario Morocco’s accusation that Hezbollah and Iran are plotting against it with the Polisario Front has escalated tension with Algeria. Lebanon
Tunisia hopes boost in Chinese investment can ease economic woes After years of placing investments elsewhere in the African continent, China is increasingly looking to Tunisia to serve as an ideal middleman to control passageways between North Africa and Europe. Egypt
Culture Alert: March salutes women of all nationalities and sizes Many cultural activities in March focus on women, as artists and muses, in addition to the search for identity. Also of note is the first cooperation between the Louvre and the National Museum of Iran. Palestine
Algeria takes independent approach to Qatar crisis A recent meeting between Qatar's foreign minister and Algeria's prime minister highlights Algiers' unique strategy in the wake of the GCC-Qatar rift. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon surges weapons into Middle East terror fight The Pentagon is using a little-known fund to give a boost to counterterrorism operations throughout the Middle East. Jordan
Has US given up on Middle East diplomacy? US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calls on Saudis to "consider consequences" of actions; Is Lebanese President Michel Aoun making the right call on Hariri? Saudi Arabia
