Two Iranians face US court in sanctions, arms trafficking cases: What to know The cases come as the United States pairs tighter sanctions with stepped-up enforcement targeting Iran’s global networks amid the war. Iran
MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan traveled to Jeddah Monday for a visit that could be aimed at salvaging a $1.5 billion Pakistani arms deal Riyadh has reportedly blocked. Sudan
After US designation of Brotherhood, Sudan asks to add RSF to terror list The Specially Designated Global Terrorist label entails economic sanctions against the group, including an assets freeze, while the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation criminalizes providing material support for it. Sudan
UN points to 'genocidal path' in RSF assault on Sudan’s El-Fasher A UN fact-finding mission says the scale and coordination of atrocities in Darfur mark a shift in its assessment of the paramilitary group’s campaign. Sudan
Analysis In Saudi Arabia, Erdogan fosters security alignment, $30B trade push By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Erdogan's cold war with Saudi Arabia and UAE Turkey's patience with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is running low, sources tell Al-Monitor. Saudi Arabia
Ethiopia turns to upstream countries amid Nile Dam dispute with Egypt Ethiopia is trying to mobilize Nile Basin countries against Egypt when it comes to dispute over the Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Egypt alarmed over Sudan's siding with Ethiopia in Nile water dispute Sudan's rejection of an Arab League resolution supporting Cairo in negotiations with Addis Ababa over the filling of Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam has caused alarm in Egypt, already at odds with Ethiopia over construction of the multibillion dollar dam. Egypt
Why women in the Middle East find little to celebrate on March 8 From Beirut to Khartoum, women in the Middle East held demonstrations calling for the elimination of discriminatory laws and improvement of their situation. Saudi Arabia
Is France irked by Erdogan’s passion for Africa? Erdogan’s efforts to boost Turkey’s economic role in Africa have been marked by outbursts maligning France’s colonial past, but there is more to Turkey’s Africa opening that fuels the bilateral spats. Turkey
Israel's Gantz choosing wrong battles against Netanyahu Blue and White leader Benny Gantz should continue focusing his campaign on the charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, instead of falling into the trap of a diplomatic battle. Palestine
Netanyahu’s Africa blitz includes photo ops, pleasing US Israeli diplomats fear that the drive for cooperation projects with African countries is being replaced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s desire for photo-ops and by hints that relations with Jerusalem would open the door to Washington. Israel
Libya is only small part of Turkey’s ambitious Africa overture Although Turkey’s moves in Libya capture a lot of headlines these days, Ankara has been busy on other fronts in Africa. Egypt
Dubai ports giant hires ex-Israeli intelligence official to land US support for Sudan bid DP World has hired controversial lobbyist Ari Ben-Menashe to get a US grant to develop Sudan’s most important cargo terminal. United Arab Emirates
Egypt moves into position as regional energy hub President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has announced Egypt is ready to export electricity to Africa at low prices. Egypt
Intel: How this week’s US-sponsored Nile talks buoy Egypt The US administration deepened its involvement in trilateral talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the filling of a massive new dam on the Nile River this week, to Cairo’s relief. Egypt
Israel’s soft power victim of Netanyahu’s policies The absence of Israel from the Paris Peace Forum reflects the spirit of its leadership, belittling multinational initiatives and neglecting soft power tools. Israel
