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.
A fragile power-sharing deal in Syria offers a rare opportunity for the interim government to cultivate greater international credibility and work toward a sustainable, equitable peace.
Despite the Sudanese Armed Forces’ recapture of Khartoum, the war rages on, entrenching ethnic divides and strengthening armed actors while undermining civil society.
With U.S. commitments to its allies in flux, Europe and Türkiye are recalibrating their defense ties. The proposed Eurofighter deal signals a push toward strategic autonomy and industrial cooperation—if Ankara accepts.
For Ahmed al-Sharaa to succeed with Syria’s new national project, he must effectively meet the needs of his people while fending off the predations of outside powers.