Institution building

TOPSHOT - A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in a school in the district of Agouza in the Egyptian capital's twin city of Giza on the first day of the 2025 Egyptian Senate elections on August 4, 2025. Egypt's two-day vote beginning on August 4 will elect 200 of the 300 seats in the upper chamber of parliament, with the remaining third appointed directly by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief who came to power after ousting Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. (Photo by Khal

Egypt holds second Senate vote as pro-Sisi parties dominate: What to know

The Senate elections, dominated by pro-Sisi government parties, feature fewer party list and individual candidates compared to elections held in 2020.

SUNA

Analysis

Sudan’s new PM dissolves government but military control remains firm

In his first public address, Prime Minister Kamil Idris set ambitious goals to restore security by eliminating “rebellious militias,” though analysts warn the goal may be beyond his reach.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hussein al-Sheikh, gestures as he arrives for the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on April 23 urged Hamas to free all hostages in Gaza, saying their captivity provided Israel with "excuses" to attack the territory, as rescuers recovered charred bodies from an Israeli strike. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by

Analysis

Hussein Sheikh as PLO's first vice president: Palestinian reform or Abbas gesture?

Mahmoud Abbas' move to create a vice chairman position within the PLO may signal potential plans for succession, but the decision is clouded by the PLO's waning influence and uncertainty over Palestinian governance in Gaza.

By Rosaleen Carroll

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

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Al Salam Royal Palace, Jeddah, April 22, 2025.

Analysis

Can Modi leverage Saudi-China ties to reshape India’s global standing?

The Saudi "pivot to the east" requires a careful balancing act to avoid antagonizing the United States and damaging ties with China.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Latest News

Syria's draft constitution: Separation of powers, territorial unity and Islamic jurisprudence

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa receives the country's constitutional declaration, which will be enforced throughout a five-year transitional period, before signing it at the presidential palace in Damascus on March 13, 2025. Sharaa said he hoped the constitutional declaration would mark the start of "a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice", as he signed the document setting out the transitional period. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP) (Photo by BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty I

US green lights $95 million in aid for Lebanon’s army

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam walks among Lebanese army soldiers as he visits the southern village of Khiam near the border with Israel, on Feb. 28, 2025.

Canceled Syrian justice workshop sparks repression fears: What to know

SHADI AL-DUBAISI/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon’s government wins confidence vote ahead of Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia

President Joseph Aoun (C) chairs the first meeting of Lebanon's new government at the Baabda Palace, east of Beirut, on Feb. 11, 2025.

Iraq's PM designate mired in Cabinet dilemma

Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi is unable to form a Cabinet accepted by Iraqi protesters and political parties.

PMU factions set conditions for next Iraqi prime minister

Some pro-Iran factions of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are demanding that candidates for prime minister meet their standards.

Gaza men choose family councils but keep women out

There have been no elections in Gaza since 2006, but family groupings in the enclave have started holding votes for a leader and board to administer family affairs.

Iraq’s sidelined Sunnis weigh options amid US-Iran conflict

Iraq’s Sunni politicians, who are facing great challenges in managing areas still recovering from the damage caused by the Islamic State, worry that Iran-US tensions will have an added negative effect.

Erdogan's ties with Turkish army gets alarmingly personal

The extraordinary personalization of Turkey’s civilian-military relations is deinstitutionalizing the Turkish military structure and causing internal power struggles within the army ranks.

Egyptian political party leaders react to Sisi’s merger proposal

As Egypt prepares for parliamentary elections in November, political party representatives examine what's needed to implement the president's advice to consolidate the country's more than 100 parties.

Road direction signs are pictured at the entrance enroute to Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria August 24, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC18F81DAAE0

Reshuffle of HTS-linked government fails to bring hope in Idlib

It appears that the new cabinet of an Idlib-based opposition government connected to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will not earn the trust of the public, which continues to suffer under tough economic and humanitarian conditions.

Police check the IDs of suspected prostitutes in Tel Aviv. (Photo by Antoine GYORI/Sygma via Getty Images)

Sex workers fall victim to Israeli government paralysis

Due to the paralysis of successive transitional governments in Israel, millions of shekels allocated to the Welfare Ministry to help sex workers get out of the business have gone unused and might therefore be returned to the Finance Ministry.

Members of the Parliament of the Kurdistan region vote on the ministerial list of the Kurdistan Regional Government headed by Masrour Barzani in Erbil, Iraq July 10, 2019. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari - RC1EA4570DE0

What is the fate of Baghdad-Erbil’s oil-for-budget agreement amid ongoing protests?

Iraqi political sides vow to block a recent oil-for-budget agreement by Iraq’s caretaker government with the Kurdistan region.

Sisi favors security appointees for Egypt's governorships

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to appoint security personnel as new governors is quietly controversial.

An Iraqi female demonstrator waves an Iraqi flag during an ongoing anti-government protest, in Baghdad, Iraq November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah - RC164BCA0C20

Iran not letting Iraq go without a fight

Iraqi protesters have had enough of Iran’s heavy hand, but don’t expect the Iranians to pack up and go home.

Amid rising protests, PMU prevents confrontation with US

The Popular Mobilization Units try to distance themselves from the current confrontation between Iran and US in order to preserve PMU interests in Iraq.