Jordan to reopen border crossing with Syria Jordan closed the Jaber border crossing in August due to security concerns amid fighting in southern Syria. Jordan originally supported the Syrian opposition in the civil war but has moved closer to the government recently. Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Sep 27, 2021 A vehicle arrives at the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and Syria (Nassib crossing on the Syrian side) on the day of its reopening on Oct. 15, 2018, in the Jordanian Mafraq governorate.
Algeria partly blames Israel in decision to cut ties with Morocco In explaining his country’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra also pointed a finger at Israel. Rina Bassist | Israel | Aug 25, 2021
Turkey offers to mediate disputes between Sudan, Ethiopia Erdogan also said he stands behind a peaceful resolution to the violence in Tigray. Al-Monitor Staff | Turkey | Aug 20, 2021
Two rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel Israel shelled areas of southern Lebanon in response, though it was unclear who fired the rockets. Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Aug 4, 2021
The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town. Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Tunisia | Jul 28, 2021
Turkish plan to reopen Cyprus ghost town strains rapprochement with Egypt Egypt slams the Turkish plan to reopen the town of Varosha in the eastern part of the island of Cyprus, at a time when talks to normalize ties between the two countries have stalled. Mohamed Saied | Egypt | Jul 27, 2021
Explainer: The conflict between Turkey and Cyprus over the Varosha ghost town Turkey is supporting the development of a former tourist resort in Northern Cyprus, prompting condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus, Israel, the United States and others. Adam Lucente | Turkey | Jul 21, 2021
Iran presses for visa waiver from Iraq Iranian authorities continue to pressure the Iraqi government into waiving its travel visa between the two countries. Omar Sattar | Iraq | Jul 15, 2021
UN reports severe human rights abuses in Western Sahara Most of Western Sahara is controlled by Morocco, and is considered a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations. Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jul 2, 2021
Will new Red Sea airport spark development on Egypt-Sudan border? With the opening of a new international airport in the Red Sea, residents of the disputed Halayeb and Shalateen region are hoping the government will step up development efforts. Muhammed Magdy | Egypt | Jun 15, 2021
Intel: Biden dispatches US senators to forge further ties with Sudan Two US senators met with Sudan’s interim leaders in Khartoum on Tuesday as the Biden administration seeks to forge lasting ties with the new government. Al-Monitor Staff | Washington Pulse | May 6, 2021
Eritrean president meets Sudan leaders over border dispute Eritrea is seeking to defuse allegations that it has aided Ethiopia in its border dispute with Sudan, Al-Monitor Staff | Sudan | May 5, 2021
Libyan prime minister visits Ankara The visit of the prime minister of Libya's Government of National Unity highlights an ongoing, close relationship with Turkey, with implications for the Libyan political process, and a likely signal to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Mustafa Fetouri | Turkey | Apr 28, 2021
Ankara in risky geopolitical gamble in Black Sea Fiddling with the delicate balance of power in the Black Sea might leave Turkey in a worse squeeze between Russia and the United States. Metin Gurcan | Turkey | Apr 15, 2021
Freedom House: Syria, Western Sahara worst in world for political rights The think tank also downgraded Jordan to "not free" in its 2021 democracy rankings. Al-Monitor Staff | Jordan | Mar 4, 2021
Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal Elizabeth Hagedorn | Iran | Oct 8, 2021
A vehicle arrives at the Jaber border crossing between Jordan and Syria (Nassib crossing on the Syrian side) on the day of its reopening on Oct. 15, 2018, in the Jordanian Mafraq governorate.
