US friends in the Middle East lose a champion in John McCain

The late senator from Arizona leaves behind a legacy as one of the Senate’s last prominent proponents of US interventionism.

Iraq

Egypt to invest in restoration of war-torn countries

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly recently issued a decree to form an action group aimed at investing a great deal of effort in the reconstruction of five Arab countries.

Egypt

NATO training mission faces challenges in Iraq

NATO training mission is expanding in Iraq, but the mission could empower Iranian-backed elements in the Iraqi state.

Iraq

Is there hope for reforming Libya’s shattered economy?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Libyan Economy and Industry Minister Nasser al-Dersi talks about the Government of National Accord’s new economic reform program and the challenges it faces.

Libya

Russia wary to take sides in Libya as Hifter offers lucrative deals

The Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter directly called on the Russian president to interfere into the Libyan conflict militarily to sway victory into Hifter's favor; Moscow, however, is more comfortable with balancing the warring parties by different branches of the Russian government.

Libya

Mideast migrants face increased discrimination in Italy

New Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is taking steps to stop illegal migration to Italy, but critics say his methods are fueling racism against Middle Eastern foreigners.

Libya

Italian-French competition over Libya pushing country toward more chaos

The French-Italian competition over dominance in Libya is not helping the country; rather, it is further pushing it toward disintegration.

Libya

Could Hifter's about-face on control of Libya's oil lead to real progress?

Khalifa Hifter’s decision to return control of the oil ports under his authority to the National Oil Corporation, three weeks after seizing them, could be seen as a goodwill gesture that will prompt genuine progress toward an agreement between the two sides.

Libya

Pompeo looks to career diplomat for State's No. 3 post

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was expected to recommend the nomination of career diplomat David Hale, currently the US ambassador to Pakistan, to be undersecretary of state for political affairs.

Yemen

Hifter may be pushing his luck by manipulating Libya's oil

Libya’s Gen. Khalifa Hifter appears to be using his control of oil ports as a political bargaining chip, but his success seems doubtful.

Libya

Fight over oil offers opportunity to protect Libya's wealth

Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s Libyan National Army forces have retaken Libya's strategic oil crescent region and announced that the rogue Benghazi-based National Oil Corporation will now administer it.

Libya

Renewed fight over Libya’s oil threatens entire country

The repeated attacks against the country’s main oil lifeline will always be a looming threat as long as no central government is in place with full power over the entire territory of Libya.

Libya