There is a general consensus in Washington that the Abraham Accords—the series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab countries launched in 2020—have been an overwhelming success and that expanding them to include Saudi Arabia will only increase their benefits. That might be an overly rosy assessment.
When Mali demanded last month that the U.N. withdraw peacekeepers from its territory “without delay,” it sent a chill through diplomats in New York. Many observers have speculated over whether Mali’s move could presage the end of other U.N. missions in Africa, dealing a blow to the institution’s contribution to security there.
After more than four decades of strained relations, Egypt and Iran have reportedly been pursuing mediation efforts for months. Several Iranian officials have publicly endorsed these efforts to end one of the Middle East’s longest-running but often-neglected feuds. For its part, Cairo has maintained a cautious stance on the issue.
