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. Sudan
Bahrain to bid for UN Security Council seat: What to know If its candidacy is successful, it would allow the Arab world's smallest nation to have a significant say in critical decisions impacting the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Bahrain
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. Sudan
Trump’s UN envoy pick Stefanik blasts organization’s 'antisemitic rot' The Republican lawmaker also told senators she believes Israel has a biblical claim to the entire West Bank. United States
Analysis From UNRWA to ICC, how Republican Congress would shift Middle East policy By Megan Mineiro In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress
'Mountain of information' against Islamic State leads UN investigators to recognize Yazidi genocide While Monday’s findings leave “no space for denial,” Yazidis now call for legislation and support for development of social and economic life. Iraq
Intel: UN finds undeclared chemical weapons stockpile in Syria The Syrian government is not being transparent with chemical weapons inspections, say UN officials. Syria
Turkey sees turning point in failed Cyprus summit Turkey hopes for British support as it takes on a more hawkish posture on the Cyprus conflict, risking fresh tensions with the European Union. Turkey
More than 100 children intercepted off Libyan coast 2021 has been a deadly year for people seeking to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Europe, and around 1,000 children are currently detained in Libya in connection with migration attempts. News Brief
UN Security Council discusses concerns over spread of Libya's foreign fighters The killing of Chad's leader has ignited fears over the potential spread of violent mercenaries outside of Libya. North Africa
Nile Dam dispute could be heading to Security Council With Ethiopia threatening to proceed with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s second filling, Egypt and Sudan look for a goodwill gesture and ramp up diplomacy. Egypt
Egypt looks to Kenya for Security Council support in Nile dam crisis Egypt and Sudan are trying to secure the support of Kenya, Africa’s representative on the UN Security Council, in the dispute over the filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Egyptian architects win UNESCO award for reconstruction of Mosul mosque destroyed by IS The UNESCO announcement that Egyptian architects won the international competition for the reconstruction of the historic Al-Nouri Mosque complex in Mosul sparks debate as to whether their design fits Iraq’s Islamic heritage. Egypt
US slams Yemen’s Houthis for ignoring cease-fire Condemnation comes as Washington rallies European and Gulf support for implementing the cease-fire and 2019 Riyadh agreement. Yemen
Intel: US endorses watchdog report blaming Syria for chemical attack The report from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found "reasonable grounds" to believe that the Syrian air force dropped chlorine on a rebel-held town in northwestern Syria in 2018. Syria
UN investigator in Khashoggi case says she was threatened by Saudi official Agnes Callamard told The Guardian that a UN colleague informed her a visiting Saudi official threatened to have her "taken care of" during a meeting in Geneva in January 2020. Saudi Arabia
Syria war crimes trials can 'reduce the accountability gap,' UN rights chief says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Germany's recent conviction of a former Syrian regime officer marked an important first step. Syria
