Chatham House MENA

With the world distracted by the Iran war, the situation is worsening in Gaza, where neither Israel nor Hamas are under pressure to make progress on the ceasefire plan. Read @DrJulieNorman2's (@CH_MENAP) latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️ chathamhouse.org/2026/05/iran-w…

'Egypt’s vision for the post-war regional order is built on old formulas of pan-Arab national security that do not necessarily have broader support across the region,' writes @AAboudouh. chathamhouse.org/2026/05/why-eg…

🎥 Webinar recording | US–Israel war with Iran: What is the impact on Gaza? @ZDarkazally, @bfriedy, @aarondmiller2 & @DrJulieNorman2 discuss where conditions currently stand and what future trajectories might be possible. Watch in full ⤵️ youtube.com/watch?v=6Pq5WZ…

"ويعتمد استمرار التسوية الناتجة، وما إذا كانت ستعزز بناء الدولة على المدى الطويل، على سؤال أساسي عن نوع نظام الحكم الذي ينجم عنها،" تكتب رنا خلف. لقراءة المقال على منصتنا "كلام" ⬇️ kalam.chathamhouse.org/ar/articles/%d…

Any states concerned about the broader region must keep Gaza on the agenda. The alternative of neglecting Gaza will only fuel current conflicts and create conditions for new ones to emerge, writes @DrJulieNorman2. chathamhouse.org/2026/05/iran-w…

'The US–Israel war on Iran made an already constrained civic environment in Iraq significantly more dangerous,' writes Layla Amer. Read on Kalam ⤵️ kalam.chathamhouse.org/articles/closi…

'A viable policy option for both national actors and external actors invested in Syria’s stabilization is available. This requires moving... towards a relational approach to the state that genuinely serves local communities.' writes Rana Khalaf. kalam.chathamhouse.org/articles/syria…

Recent assassinations in Aden... are likely to undermine confidence in the Yemeni government’s ability to maintain security for its civilians as well as international organizations and aid workers, writes @almuslimi. chathamhouse.org/2026/05/killin…

"في ظل تزايد التصعيد الإقليمي، تبرز حاجة ملحّة إلى إصلاح المؤسسات الناظمة لعمل المجتمع المدني وتعزيز دعم الجهات الفاعلة المدنية، بما يتيح استعادة قَدر فِعليّ من المساءلة في العراق،" تكتب ليلى عامر. لقراءة المقال على منصتنا "كلام" ⬇️ kalam.chathamhouse.org/ar/articles/%d…

🎥 Webinar recording | US–Israel war with Iran: What is the impact on Gaza? @ZDarkazally, @bfriedy, @aarondmiller2 & @DrJulieNorman2 discuss where conditions currently stand and what future trajectories might be possible. Watch in full ⤵️ youtube.com/watch?v=6Pq5WZ…

Yesterday, @ChathamHouse was delighted to welcome HE Dr Badr Abdelatti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, for a discussion on Egypt's foreign policy priorities amid regional insecurity.

'Egypt’s efforts to end the war are part of a long-term risk-management strategy to safeguard its security and economic interests amid regional volatility,' writes @AAboudouh. chathamhouse.org/2026/05/why-eg…

For decades, DC has focused on managing Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than changing the structures that perpetuate it. In my latest piece, I argue for concrete steps including: — Restructure the unequal Israeli-Palestinian agreement — Reform laws restricting U.S.-Palestinian diplomacy — Support Palestinian elections and renewal These steps won’t solve everything--far from it. But without structural reform, the situation will only grow more tragic. foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/19/pal…

'Amid growing regional escalation, there is an urgent need to reform institutions governing civil society and strengthen support for civic actors to restore meaningful accountability in Iraq,' writes Layla Amer. Read on Kalam ⤵️ kalam.chathamhouse.org/articles/closi…

Iran is 'signaling is that they, too, are ready to go back to a military conflict... Their capabilities are not as degraded as what is presented by the Pentagon. At the same time, though, they do need a deal.' @SanamVakil speaks with @jimsciutto @CNN ⤵️

Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is a compromise candidate who will have to serve the interests of Iraq’s elites, including those linked to the militias, says @renadmansour via @FT. ft.com/content/cd014f…

Egypt has responded to the Iran war by actively engaging in diplomacy & mediation. This strategy is designed to achieve Egypt’s central objective of ending the war & reflects its wider approach of risk-management in a volatile region, writes @AAboudouh. chathamhouse.org/2026/05/why-eg…

Iraq's Al Zaidi is "stuck between the two external powers, US and Iran, whilst also having to build a government and choose ministers that are acceptable to both external sides and to the internal Iraqi political negotiations," says @renadmansour via @TheNationalNews. thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026…