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This Week in the Middle East


This Week in the Middle East- Newsletter by Dr. Yaron Friedman, from the Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Haifa, brings you everything you need to know – with sharp insights, critical perspective, and thought-provoking analysis.
Our institute is proud to support this initiative and to share with you the bigger picture – and what’s happening behind the scenes.

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War drums in Iran, ticking bomb in Libya, and Tunisian convoy to Gaza

Iran threatens the U.S.: Are they preparing for the failure of the negotiations? Palestinian collaborators in Gaza: Israel’s alternative to the Palestinian Authority; A ticking bomb: ISIS prison in Libya run by terrorists; Much bigger than Greta’s flotilla: the Tunisian “Al-Sumud Convoy” on its way to Gaza; American concern: An assassination attempt on the Syrian president; Shiite cleric severely beaten in Dahieh; Shocking figure in Jordan: 100,000 children employed; World Falafel Day: June 12.

12.6.25

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Dahieh bombed again, missiles from Syria, and illegal residents in Mecca

The largest attack on Hezbollah since the ceasefire; After five rounds of talks, Iran is about to respond negatively; Shooting and ground raid in Syria in response to missiles; Syria: We are not interested in war; Who launched the rockets? Persecution of Alawites in Syria continues unabated; Hamas is again about to respond to the proposal — and will attack; Rebels in Sudan accuse Egypt of supporting the army; Saudi police act against illegal Hajj.

5.6.25

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Saudi pressure for an agreement in Gaza, meeting of Arab foreign ministers In Ramallah and the Hajj season

Saudi pressure to end the war in Gaza; Lebanese Foreign Minister: Hezbollah’s weapons are illegal; Pessimism in the Arab media about the nuclear deal, and American optimism; Arab preparations for declaring a Palestinian state? Arab leaders to arrive in Ramallah; Pilgrimage to Mecca: Syrians celebrate, Yemenis are outraged; Hajj through virtual reality goggles

29.5.25

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Iran threatens, Lebanon is bombed, and there is an attempt to disarm Palestinian militias

Iran threatens, Lebanon is bombed, and there is an attempt to disarm Palestinian militias

More bombings in Lebanon; Iran threatens Israel via the UN; Iran: Negotiations with the U.S. are expected to fail; Abbas visits Lebanon to discuss militia disarmament; Arabic sources confirm: Muhammad Sinwar was eliminated and temporarily buried in a tunnel; The President of Turkey is pressuring Syria to recruit the Kurds.

22.5.25

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U.S. deals with Saudi Arabia and lifting of sanctions on Syria, Jordan against the Muslim Brotherhood

Gaza, not a word about normalization; Historic moment in Syria: resumption of ties with the U.S. and removal of sanctions; Jordan’s measures against the Muslim Brotherhood intensify; Despite negotiations: additional U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Advanced American weapons to be sold to Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia; Abu Mazen: welcomes the Saudi demand and insists on controlling Gaza ;The link between the war in Sudan and rental prices in Cairo; If Sinwar is eliminated — these are the successors.

15.5.25

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The Middle East in Transition

What is the “surprise” President Trump is referring to? A Palestinian commentator explains; A diplomatic catastrophe? A U.S. green light for Saudi nuclear capabilities appears imminent- without normalization with Israel; IDF strikes Hezbollah positions in Nabatieh and eliminates two senior operatives; Syrian-Israeli talks and analysis of Israel’s objectives in the region; Get used to the new name: “The Arab Gulf”; Interim report on casualties in Gaza; Is Israel involved in the renewed conflict between India and Pakistan?; Arrest warrant issued for Egyptian activist who expressed views against Hamas and in support of Israel.

9.5.25

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Threat to the Druze in Syria, criticism of Saudi Arabia in Egypt, and protests in Istanbul

Is the negotiation a waste of time? The Iranians hint that even after an agreement, they will continue enriching uranium; anger in Egypt over the Saudi move; after the massacre of Druze in Syria: the Druze leader in Lebanon believes in dialogue, other Druze in Syria and Israel seek a military solution; another pro-Iranian Palestinian leader arrested in Damascus; mass protests against Erdoğan continue in Turkey, along with violent repression.

2.5.25

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The Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed in Jordan and is making threats, Al-Shara is signaling to Israel, and Abu Mazen is cursing Hamas

The Muslim Brotherhood Takes Off the Gloves: A call to fight Arab regimes; criticism over Morocco hosting Hamas officials.
Not What You Thought: Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon reprimanded for remarks on Hezbollah’s weapons.
The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend? Reports grow of Syrian President’s willingness for ties with Israel.

25.4.25

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Hamas's refusal, anticipated failure of negotiations with Iran, and a terror cell in Jordan

Hamas rejects the proposed deal; Arab media express pessimism over U.S.-Iran negotiations; Turkey and Syria are set to sign 12 economic agreements; Halabja has been declared a new governorate in Iraq, with its first female governor appointed; the UAE bet on the wrong horse in Sudan; Egypt's former Grand Mufti voiced support for the October 7 attack.

18.4.25

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A fatwa for jihad from Qatar; coordination with Turkey

Update from Gaza: 65% of the territory has been evacuated of its residents; the Lebanese president is negotiating over Hezbollah’s weapons; a call for jihad against Israel from the Qatari emirate and a surprising condemnation from Egypt; Turkey announces security coordination with Israel in Syria; IDF operations continue in the West Bank, this time in Tulkarem; Algeria stands against the (Moroccan) occupation; criticism arises over the Indonesian president’s proposal to take in Gazans.

11.4.25

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Airstrikes reported in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza; Egypt strengthens its regional posture

Syria to Israel: Stop the attacks and return to the 1974 borders; Hezbollah once again in the crosshairs; Egypt’s top Sunni religious authority: Prayer for Gaza and the defeat of “Zionist terror”; Gaza Strip being split and bombed as protests continue; Economic breathing room for Morocco; Egyptian army rearming, reason unclear; First Syrian government after the Assad era.

4.4.25

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Protests in Gaza, repression in Algeria, Palestinian poll, and Khartoum captured

Escalating war in Gaza; protests against Hamas – Al Jazeera stays silent; arrest of a writer exposes dictatorship and silencing in Algeria; the war in Gaza and the West Bank in numbers; Assad's mufti arrested in Syria; Sudanese army captures the capital; Saudis profit year-round, not just during the holiday; the series Muawiya sparks controversy over the Damascus Caliphate.

28.3.25

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A threat to democracy (in Turkey), a reprieve for Iran, and the status of women in Kuwait

The war in Gaza reignites, moving toward the creation of a security zone; a new offensive in two months?; the Turkish dictatorship; the new “protector of minorities” in Damascus; renewed fighting in Gaza stirs unrest in Jordan; the Houthis fire and Egypt is harmed; improvement in the status of women in Kuwait; calls in the Arab world to boycott Snow White.

21.3.25

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Massacre of Alawites and an agreement with the Kurds in Syria; the Houthis return

The massacre of Alawites in Syria continues; agreement to integrate the Kurds into the new Syria; fighting during a ceasefire in the Palestinian territories; the UAE to mediate between the U.S. and Iran; the offensive that recalls the Balochistan problem; the Houthis are preparing a comeback; Lebanon: border agreement, not normalization; Ramadan series about ISIS sparks uproar in Iraq.

14.3.25

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