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.
Beijing’s approach towards the Middle East and North Africa balances ambition with caution, but regional instability is testing the opportunity cost of its risk-averse strategy.
Gulf states enjoyed positive relations with Trump the first time around. But a different geopolitical landscape poses new challenges for the relationship.
Ethiopia’s renewed push for seaport access is fueling tensions in the Horn of Africa. De-escalation will require a coordinated international effort to mediate and address long-standing issues.