Through extravagant processions led by palace women, the Mamluk state projected a message of power and prestige at home and abroad, turning the Hajj obligation into a soft-power tool

Algeria is one of Africa's largest producers of hydrocarbons, and its proximity to customers in Europe makes it of growing interest as importers fret over a prolonged supply crisis from countries

Israel's actions, post-October 7, have largely been reactionary, aimless, and counterproductive, not only in Lebanon but in other regional arenas

Sudan between peace and fragmentation

The balance of power between the army and the militia that controls Darfur may be shifting, but which way is not yet clear

There are fears that a divided country could yet splinter into a patchwork of overlapping fiefdoms led by warlords and terrorists, with neither a military nor diplomatic solution looking likely

The powerful militia controls half the country, battling the Sudanese Armed Forces for the rest, but has had several setbacks as of late, including defections to the other side

Beyond Israel's immediate security aims lies a much larger struggle over Lebanon's future—one that will unfold over years, in multiple stages, and cannot be reduced to a simple question of force.

Cairo hopes to gain the trust of partners through its regular payments to energy firms, so that they will be more inclined to invest in gas exploration activities