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.
As more Western states recognize Palestine, will they also take the action necessary to make this diplomatic step impactful in bringing a Palestinian state to life?
The neighboring countries share a tortured past based on superiority and subjugation. Yet recent political transformations in both countries have provided an opportunity to reset ties, should they have the courage and foresight to seize it.
For years, Ankara and Athens have clashed over maritime borders and resource claims in the eastern Mediterranean. Now, Ankara’s rapprochement with Benghazi could be bearing fruit. But the rulers of eastern Libya are not without their own calculations.
Two major bouts of violence across Syria have tested the caretaker government’s ability to maintain security and exposed its weakness. If Damascus does not build its capacity, its legitimacy will further erode and risk state failure.
Israel says it is denying aid to Hamas. But in reality, it is engineering Gaza’s mass starvation through blockade, proxy violence, institutional collapse and deadly deceit.
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.