Egypt strengthens ties with Rwanda amid Nile dam crisis

Egyptian-Rwandan relations are currently witnessing rapprochement, as Cairo expands its influence in the Nile Basin to put more pressure on Ethiopia over its controversial Nile dam.

Egypt

Lebanese elections marked with high number of youth candidates

In the parliamentary elections due in May, dozens of youth and women are hoping to break the cycle of political nepotism and bring new faces to the country’s parliament.

Lebanon

Tunisia's future darkens with dissolution of parliament

Tunisia's president has taken a darker turn after unilaterally dissolving parliament and threatening to put elected deputies on trial.

North Africa

Terror wave in Israel plays into Netanyahu’s hands

Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu now leads a campaign alleging that the Bennett government fails in addressing the terror threat.

Israel

Israel government looks to Amman to help calm Jerusalem tensions

Following the three terror attacks at the end of March, Jerusalem is reaching out to Amman, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Washington and other capitals to prevent further violence.

Israel

Iran blames US for halt in nuclear talks

Iran’s Foreign Ministry claims the United States still has not decided to return to talks.

Iran

Turkey revises election law in risky bid to block breakaway conservatives

Lowering the election threshold could boost the ruling coalition’s number of parliamentary seats, but there's no guarantee.

Turkey

Saudi Arabia confiscates more Captagon pills at Jordan border

Saudi authorities have promised to crackdown on drug smuggling, which they have blamed on Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia

Biden's budget proposal would slash military aid to Tunisia

Tunisia's president further cemented his hold on power this week as US lawmakers urged the Biden administration to scrutinize its security aid to the country.

North Africa

Taliban releases Afghan-American Naval reservist held in Afghanistan

US citizen Safi Rauf and his brother Anees Khalil were released to Qatar before traveling home to the United States.

Qatar

Analysis

Fragile Israeli government tested by perfect storm of security threats

Also:​ Upcoming religious holidays heighten concerns of more violence, including by the Islamic State operating within Israel.

By Week in Review

Pentagon could have done more to prevent casualties in key Syria battle, report

A 2017 decision to encircle the Islamic State's capital at Raqqa inhibited the possibility of civilian escape corridors, a Pentagon-sponsored report found.

Syria