2023 has been a year of major shake-ups and transformative events in the Middle East and North Africa. From the earthquakes that devastated Turkey, Syria and Morocco, to China’s rise as regional interlocutor, to the deadliest war in Gaza following the worst attack on Israel on Oct. 7, the impact of 2023 will be felt for decades on the region. It has also been a year of Arab Gulf states taking a global seat: the United Arab Emirates on the United Nations Security Council and hosting COP28, Qatar hosting the World Cup, and Saudi Arabia emerging as a sporting hub.
In this series of articles, Al-Monitor’s journalists will recap the events of 2023 and what lies ahead for the region.
2023 in review: Lebanon reels from void, a triggered Hezbollah- Israel front
2023 in review: The year that shook Israel to the core, exposed vulnerabilities
2023 in review: Gaza war tests Gulf economic overhauls at pivotal moment
2023 in review: From Sudan to Syria, here are Mideast's forgotten conflicts
2023 in review: The year Saudi Arabia became sports superpower
2023 in review: Israel-Hamas war puts human rights in focus, as pattern of double standards persists
2023 in review: From disaster to diplomacy, a climactic year for Turkey
2023 in review: Gaza war forces Palestinian question on Biden’s agenda
2023 in review: Iraq's pro-Iran factions make gains, but so do Sunni groups
2023 in review: Biden bets his Middle East strategy on Gaza war
2023 in review: Syria triumphant in Arab League as Israeli strikes, Iran ties continue
2023 in review: China pulls a Middle East coup, but can it sustain expectations?
2023 in review: Iran sees opportunity in Gaza war, steps up crackdown at home
