Commentary 816: Syria targets French jihadists - How Ahmed al-Sharaa is striving for authority, global trust

Syria's operation against Firqat al-Ghuraba marks a critical shift, targeting foreign fighters and asserting al-Sharaa's transitional government authority

Dateline 137: India reiterates its policy towards the Palestinian State, but is not ready for an active role

India's unwavering stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict consistently supports a two-state solution. However, despite humanitarian concerns in Gaza, India maintains a cautious, non-prescriptive approach to enhance its influence in the Middle East

Commentary 815: How Israel is testing the loyalty of Bedouins

Bedouin land rights in Israel reveal a painful contradiction where their heroism, particularly after October 7, is met with systemic state policies of dispossession and the demolition of unrecognised villages

Dateline 136: Israel-Palestine conflict Is the New York Declaration a ‘paper solution’?

Without Donald Trump's tacit acquiescence, if not approval, no proposal concerning the Middle East has a realistic chance of success

Commentary 814: Egypt could be the real winner in the Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit

Egypt stands to gain significantly from the recent Gaza peace plan, reaffirming its central role in regional diplomacy and securing vital economic benefits

Dateline 135: Iran agrees on principles for dialogue, negotiating the price now

Tehran could resume nuclear talks with Washington if there are assurances of no more attacks

Dateline 134: Gaza ceasefire, a small window of opportunity

The 60-day ceasefire deal comes amidst signals for changes in the regional climate

Contemporary Review of the Middle East Volume 13 Issue 1, March 2026

Dateline 132: Vatican has ties with all Middle Eastern countries except Saudi Arabia