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.
Lebanon is at a crossroads. While Hezbollah is facing enormous pressure to give up its weapons, there are no guarantees that the national and regional interests of all sides will be protected, especially given Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon.
While U.S. sanctions waivers provide a welcome reprieve, fully lifting all international sanctions on Syria is crucial to the country’s economic recovery and post-war reconstruction.
A recent upsurge in violence in the Libyan capital portends a familiar and dangerous path for the war-torn country, and the urgent need for a political reset.
An unprecedented close to decades of insurgency challenges Türkiye to navigate a delicate transition, balancing security, political reform and social reconciliation.
By outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood, the Jordanian government has narrowed the space for political opposition, which may push dissent underground and fuel instability.