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 Rapid Support Forces’ capture of El Fasher has unleashed grave abuses and deepened Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, while competing foreign backers and stalled international diplomacy leave little hope for a ceasefire or political transition.
To achieve Vision 2030 targets, Riyadh recognizes that it must attract more foreign capital. That could mean relaxing long-held rules on foreign ownership in the kingdom.
Israel’s 12-day war with Iran achieved dramatic tactical successes—including assassinations, sabotage and U.S. military involvement—but ultimately failed to trigger Iran’s internal collapse or strategic defeat, instead galvanizing Iranian national unity, advancing its nuclear ambiguity and raising the risk of deeper regional escalation in a future.