Trump and Netanyahu disagree on whether to use military force to stop Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel's punishing attack on Iran places the region on a worrisome trajectory
While Israel's attack dealt a severe blow to Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure, the long-term impact remains uncertain as Tehran's potential for retaliation introduces new risks
Each side's actions carry risks of misjudgment, miscalculation, and the possibility that the conflict could escalate beyond the planned declared limits
Tensions reach a boiling point as an IAEA report finds Tehran in breach of its nuclear obligations. Meanwhile, US personnel are ordered out of the region in a sign that escalation may be imminent.
The bonds between Japan and the Middle East are based on trust and respect, since both seek peace and stability in the region. In these newly dangerous times, that bond is even more important.
Both Tehran and Washington have powerful incentives to resolve the conflict through negotiations, but actors on all sides have reasons to derail these efforts
Beijing has been expanding its base in Djibouti, the tiny state that sits opposite Yemen across the Bab al-Mandab Strait. With numerous other states also in play, this is a region to watch
From machines that develop human emotions to societies governed by artificial intelligence, Arab novelists explore the promises and perils of a radically transformed future