Afkār is a publication of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues and developments from the Council's experts and outside contributors. Afkār is published in English and Arabic, and is edited by Omar H. Rahman.
As Syria rebuilds, the new government in Damascus is using energy, infrastructure, and regional connectivity not only to revive its economy but to restore its diplomatic standing and strategic relevance.
Oman’s initiative to facilitate safe passage for vessels from the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz has huge implications in the management of the Hormuz crisis, significantly diminishing Iran’s leverage on the issue in the face of growing strategic alternatives for the Gulf states.