In places like Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia, which all have long coastlines along key maritime routes, the authority of the state and its institutions needs to overcome the forces of disorder.
In Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan, the state has ceased to function as it should. This has led to problems not just on land but at sea, making this trio one big and urgent international issue.
Whether American military action triggers a rapid collapse of Iran's regime or gradually erodes it over time, all paths lead to one destination: the end of the Islamic Republic
Those who somehow managed to survive starvation, bombs and disease now face a punishing winter in 'shelters' as battered as Palestinian existence itself
Bashar's uncle was a key figure in the Assad regime who oversaw the bloodiest massacre committed by an Arab state against its own people in history, earning him the title 'the Butcher of Hama'
From a US military build-up in the region to Trump's growing unpopularity at home, several factors could influence his decision on whether or not to attack
Is Washington's intention genuine, or an attempt to slam the brakes on Cairo's growing assertiveness in Horn of Africa politics and debilitate its hard-won leverage?
The economy is a mess and the politics are askew but the Lebanese are once again learning how to celebrate, these days to the tune of Badna Nrou, meaning 'We need to calm down'
Any disruption in the Hormuz has cascading knock-on effects that extend far beyond energy markets, impacting international trade. Al Majalla explores all this and more.
The current conflict is unlikely to go global for now, but the speed at which it has spread regionally is alarming. A look at history shows the geopolitical factors that led to world wars.