Middle East & Africa
Fateful finances
The budget that will determine South Africa’s future
It could make or break its governing coalition
Syria’s sectarian chaos
A horrific killing spree shakes Syria
Fresh atrocities suggest a country spiralling out of control
All at once now
Lebanon’s new government must do three big things immediately
It needs money to reform, but donors want to see reforms before they write cheques
Africa after aid
Why some Africans see opportunity in foreign-aid cuts
They want to be more self-reliant. But that will not be easy
Fragile ceasefires in the Middle East
Israel’s army adopts a high-stakes new strategy: more terrain
It remains present inside Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank
Sink and swim
The sea is swallowing an African island
In Sierra Leone, adjusting to a warmer climate is getting harder
Syria’s new constitution
In a dictator’s palace, Syrians debate a new constitution
Ahmed al-Sharaa will soon have to reveal how sincere he is about the new, inclusive Syria
Jordan’s monarchy
Could political upheaval hit Jordan next?
Resurgent Islamists and chaos in the West Bank may threaten Jordan’s king
Running out of road
Israel and Hamas have something in common
They both want to avoid a ceasefire collapse, for a few more weeks
Resource nationalism in the Sahel
How to make cash in Africa’s coup belt
Mining multinationals are learning to do business with juntas
America’s allies in the Middle East
Egypt and Jordan are struggling to make themselves useful to Donald Trump
They no longer offer the promise of stability in a region that has been upended