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.
The resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran has generated significant optimism that it can lead to de-escalation in the region’s many conflicts. That hope needs to be tempered, as the local actors doing the fighting will have the decisive say in war and peace.