Humanitarian crises

The heavily damaged Shahid (Martyr) Mosque is pictured in Khartoum's Muqrin neighbourhood on March 22, 2025. Sudan's army and allied armed groups seized the country's presidential palace on March 21 in the ongoing war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which the RSF had used since the start of the war to house elite forces and stockpile ammunition. The military has since launched a clearing operation to push the RSF out of the city centre, retaking on March 22 several strategic state ins

Khartoum accuses RSF of looting and destroying Sudan's heritage: What to know

The Sudanese government accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting and destroying cultural heritage sites, including the Sudan National Museum, during their occupation of Khartoum, calling the actions war crimes and pledging to work with UNESCO and Interpol to recover stolen artifacts.

Fighters loyal to the army patrol a market area in Khartoum on March 24, 2025.

Analysis

Khartoum’s advances 'watershed moment’ in Sudan war as pressure builds on RSF, foreign backers

A battle last week in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, saw the army retake a key strategic and symbolic location, but the army’s advancements don’t necessarily spell an end to the war.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Khartoum

Sudan army closes in on Khartoum's presidential palace in blow to RSF

A key battle is unfolding between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s capital Khartoum.

AFP via Getty Images

Sudan brings genocide case against UAE at International Court of Justice

Sudan accuses the United Arab Emirates of complicity in genocide over its alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which has been found to have committed atrocities against the Masalit ethnic group in Sudan's West Darfur state.

Latest News

US formally rebrands Yemen's Houthis as foreign terrorist organization

US President Donald Trump shows an executive order withdrawing his country from a number of United Nations bodies in the Oval Office of the White House on February 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order withdrawing his country from a number of United Nations bodies, including its Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and setting up a broader review of US funding for the multilateral organization. The executive order said it withdrew Washington from UNHRC and the main UN relief agency

In Qatar, Russia's Lavrov rejects European force in Ukraine, pushes for Syria access

Lavrov and Thani

Analysis

France sees opening in Trump's USAID cuts to lead Syria humanitarian aid

France's President Emmanuel Macron (C), Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (R) and Syria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani pose for a group photograph during the International Conference on Syria at the Ministerial Conference Center, in Paris on February 13, 2025. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Feature

Trump's aid freeze forces war-battered Syrian hospitals to halt services

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Shaibani

At Dubai summit, Syrian FM expresses interest in Baghdad visit

On his second trip to the United Arab Emirates since assuming his role, new Syria Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stressed the need for good neighborly relations, lifting of sanctions and guaranteed rights for minorities in the country.

Israeli hostages stand on stage flanked by Hamas militants during the official handover in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on February 8, 2025. Hamas hands over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross as part of ongoing negotiations. (Photo by Youssef Alzanoun / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by YOUSSEF ALZANOUN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Can Hamas defy Trump's ultimatum as Gaza ceasefire teeters?

Israel is considering introducing a transitional phase to salvage the deal and ensure the continued release of hostages. However, for this to proceed, Hamas must adhere to the agreed-upon terms by Saturday.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A banner lists the countries funding the World Food Program at a food distribution point run by the Ukrainian charity Angels of Salvation (AOS), on Feb. 7, 2025, in Druzhkivka, Ukraine.

Norwegian Refugee Council halts aid in over 20 countries after USAID cuts

The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that it would have to halt life-saving programs if US government payments are not resumed.

Staff Writer

By Staff Writer

“CLOSE IT DOWN!” Mr. Trump wrote of U.S.A.I.D. on Truth Social,

Analysis

US aid freeze threatens Sudan’s lifeline as USAID support hangs in balance

As the Trump administration dissolves the US' largest aid agency, Sudan, embroiled in conflict and a humanitarian crisis, could soon suffer the consequences.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) speaks at a press conference outside of USAID headquarters on Feb. 03, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Democrats warn Trump’s USAID freeze may fuel Middle East instability

Lawmakers vowed to challenge the takeover of the agency, with or without the support of Republicans members of Congress.

Sudanese army soldiers patrol an area in Khartoum North, on Nov. 3, 2024.

Battle for Khartoum at tipping point as Sudan military advances

After years of fighting between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, the two groups’ battle for the capital city of Khartoum could be coming to a head.

Hamas militants escort Isreali hostage Agam Berger (C) before handing her over to a Red Cross team in Jabalia on January 30, 2025

Israel suspends next Palestinian prisoner release after chaotic Hamas handover of hostages

Another three Israelis and five Thai nationals have been freed from captivity in Gaza.

SAEED JARAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Netanyahu teeters between Trump’s demand to end war, coalition threats

The Israeli right says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caved to Hamas by allowing hundreds of thousands of Gazans to return to the north.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

People walk along Gaza's coastal al-Rashid Street to cross the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip into the north on Jan. 27, 2025.

Israel reopens north Gaza passage after Hamas pledges to release 3 more hostages

Hamas agreed to release three more hostages on Thursday, after it failed to release civilian Arbel Yehud on Saturday, in exchange for Israel opening Monday morning the passage to northern Gaza.

Iraqi men unload humanitarian aid supplies provided by USAID to displaced Iraqis who have fled clashes between Islamic State group jihadists and Peshmerga fighters on Oct. 2, 2014, in the town of Daquq.

‘People are anxious’: USAID staff rattled by Trump's foreign aid freeze

Humanitarian organizations were bracing for foreign aid cuts but were taken aback when President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order pausing assistance for the next 90 days.

Supporters and relatives of hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Palestinian militants react while watching a live TV broadcast on the release of Israeli hostages, at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 19, 2025.

Relief over hostage release briefly overshadows Israel's political divide

As Israel celebrated the homecoming of Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher Sunday, the far right continues to oppose the mediated deal with Hamas.

Smoke plume rising from explosions above destroyed buildings in the northern Gaza Strip on January 13, 2025 amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Gaza ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas

Three Americans — Keith Seigel, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Edan Alexander — are among the hostages set to be released from Hamas captivity.