Sudani’s bloc won most seats, but Shia rivals and U.S.-Iran tensions complicate his path to a second term.
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A fake Saudi prince scandal exposes Lebanon’s sectarian system and chronic dependence on foreign patrons, where even rudimentary fraud thrives.
Saif al-Islam’s killing removes a unifying Green figure and potential political threat, consolidating Libya’s coercive power consolidation.
A GCC common currency fails due to political rivalries and sovereignty concerns, not economic incompatibility, halting deeper integration.
Iraq’s next prime minister, a constrained Shia bloc appointee, must bridge a public-elite gap and manage militias to secure progress.
The agreement requires monthly renewals and expires in December 2025, reflecting deep political distrust. While providing short-term fiscal relief, its long-term viability is threatened by electoral politics, budget disputes, and the need for a new pipeline treaty with Turkey by 2026.
Al-Sudani is using major oil deals with U.S. firms as a shield against potential sanctions and a tool to lobby Washington. His administrative effectiveness has fast-tracked deals, but his political survival post-election is uncertain, risking a return to bureaucratic gridlock.
Friedman sees parallels between Trump’s divisive immigration tactics in Minneapolis and Netanyahu’s strategy in Gaza. He warns both leaders endanger democracy by fueling conflict to win elections, rather than uniting their nations.