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.
In contrast to last year’s summit, the 2025 BRICS+ meeting in Brazil avoided the image of challenging Western financial hegemony and focused on building the base of its future clout.
Abu Dhabi seeks to present itself to the West as a stable alternative to an increasingly rogue Israel, where defense cooperation and capital can flourish.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ assault on Port Sudan’s infrastructure marks a chilling escalation in Sudan’s civil war—one that threatens to collapse humanitarian operations, disrupt oil flows, and ignite regional instability.
It would behoove regional energy producers to proactively shape global carbon certification standards to maintain market access and upstream sovereignty.
The U.S. president’s visit provided Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE with an opportunity to shape Washington’s policy toward the region on issues ranging from artificial intelligence and defense to regional diplomatic files.