Reports of Ambassador Zvi Mazel
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Egypt: Caught between the Libyan threat and the pandemic
Egypt’s situation has recently suffered a double blow. The pandemic has crippled its economy, while the defeat of its Libyan ally, Field Marshal Haftar, means Cairo will need to recalibrate its involvement in Libya’s civil war. Meanwhile, President El-Sisi still has to contend with the insurgency in Sinai and the ...
Relevance beyond the crisis: In the Middle East, more chaos or a glimmer of hope?
Many expected the coronavirus to spread rapidly throughout the Middle East, but save for Turkey and Iran, most countries in the region had the pandemic under control early on, thanks to aggressive containment measures. However, the drop in oil prices will be felt keenly in the area, potentially leading to ...
Lebanon’s dilemma
In October 2019, after two weeks of protests against endemic corruption, widespread unemployment and Iranian influence, Lebanon’s prime minister tendered his resignation. His successor must now pull back the economy from the brink of collapse. However, the coronavirus crisis could prevent him from taking the necessary measures, condemning the country ...
The Red Sea becomes a dangerous flash point
Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen have come together to create a council meant, among other aims, to prevent the escalation of conflicts in the Red Sea basin. However, the intricate net of regional conflicts could prevent the organization from collaborating effectively, and a spark in ...
Oman’s new ruler pledges to fulfill his predecessor’s legacy
The peaceful power transition that followed the death of Oman’s long-reigning sultan, Qaboos bin Said, is a testimony to the stability of the Al Said regime, especially in such a volatile region. However, the new sultan, Haitham bin Tariq, will face significant challenges if he wants to turn the country ...
Leadership Challenges 2020: After successful start, Egypt’s El-Sisi faces bigger hurdles
When he came to power, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi initially set his country on a relatively liberal path. After several years, however, he had to change tack to fight radical Islamism. Despite being ostracized by the West, he has made major strides, especially in improving his country’s economy. To continue ...
Israel’s electoral conundrum
Likud, Israel’s long-time ruling party, has been losing ground to a new coalition led by a fierce opponent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This enmity, along with a small party’s unwillingness to join either side, has led to a year-long parliamentary standoff. If next March’s elections fail to break the ...
Looking for compromise on Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam
Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are struggling to strike a deal over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a $4.8 billion project in the works since 2011. Situated on the Blue Nile, the dam would triple Ethiopia’s electricity production and generate much-needed economic growth. But Egypt has ancient ties to the great river, ...
