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.
An advance by Yemen’s Houthis toward strategically vital areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait marks a crucial shift, as the group increasingly leverages maritime geography within a broader regional calculus tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented strikes on Iraqi militias mark the collapse of a decade-long strategy of patient engagement. Riyadh’s new approach—punish the factions while strengthening the state—will depend on whether it can weaken Iran-aligned groups without further undermining Baghdad.
Will the defeats of candidates backed by the pro-Israel lobby in the U.S. begin to influence and reshape Washington’s foreign policy—particularly regarding Palestine, Iran, and Gulf security?