Algeria, China deepen cultural ties with opening of Confucius Institute Algeria this week inaugurated the institute, marking a major milestone in cultural and academic cooperation with China. Algeria
Newsletter: China-Middle East Beijing's soft power This week, Algeria inaugurated its first Confucius Institute. The region now boasts 27 of the facilities, a sign of China’s growing educational and cultural footprint. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
India, Morocco open new military factory in Casablanca region The facility will make WhAP 8x8 armored combat vehicles for the Moroccan military and international markets. Morocco
Middle Eastern countries face new Trump tariffs: What to know European and Asian markets fell again on Friday amid a broad selloff due to the economic uncertainty caused by the tariffs. United States
Analysis Middle East braces for Trump's tariffs: Gulf gains, North Africa strains as both hedge By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis North Africa’s rail race spurred by World Cup, trade and bullet trains By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
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
Senate challenges House on Western Sahara dispute Senate appropriators want to tighten restrictions on US aid to Morocco-occupied Western Sahara one year after the House first made assistance available. Algeria
Russia's balancing act in North Africa Despite Russia's very different relations with Algeria and Morocco, Moscow takes pains to treat them the same. Algeria
Saudi gamble on Hamas could pay off, or enrich rival Iran The Saudis are increasing pressure on Hamas, which might win them points with US President Donald Trump and Israel, but drive the Palestinian movement and its allies toward Iran. Saudi Arabia
Amid Qatar crisis, Hamas lays groundwork for official presence in Algeria Hamas and Algeria are in talks about accommodating Hamas leaders as well as opening a new office in the sympathetic North African country. Palestine
Russia keeping a close eye on Algeria Algeria’s new legislature, facing tough economic times domestically, needs to make gains in foreign policy to regain citizens’ trust — something Russia might be able to facilitate. Algeria