Abstract
As we approach the final issue of 2025, several important developments have occurred in the Middle East and North Africa region. The worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip continues to remain a cause of regional and global concern, with many countries, including France, Canada, and the UK, declaring recognition or stating their intention to recognize a state of Palestine. Meanwhile, the international community has urged the United Nations (UN) to work toward a ceasefire, peace, and a two-state solution. However, this has had a limited impact on Israeli behavior that continues to be motivated by the securitization of the Gazan population, continuing efforts to finish armed remnants of Hamas, and the need to secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. Analysts have also underlined that the domestic political situation in Israel might have influenced Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to continue the war.
In the meantime, the 13-day Israel–Iran war in June 2025 has further underlined the vulnerability of the region to escalation and posing global security threats. The war, started by Israel and focused on eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities, appeared successful, given that many top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists were killed in precision strikes by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Nonetheless, after the initial shock, the Iranian political and security establishment did regroup to launch hundreds of missiles and rockets deep inside Israel, exposing the latter’s defense and security vulnerabilities. More importantly, while Israel started the war, it could not end it, as only the US intervention led to the ceasefire. Although it is difficult to assess at this point the exact nature of damages either to the Iranian nuclear capabilities or inside Israel, it is certain that the Iranian damages, including the number of personnel killed, are much higher. It may not immediately lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic, as stated by Israel. However, it will likely create serious internal churn and call for introspection and a rethink.
Notwithstanding, the Trump administration remains steadfast in calling for ending the war in the Gaza Strip through depopulation and turning the Strip into a “Riviera for the Middle East.” The global call for recognition of Palestine and the call for a two-state solution at the UN, too, have had limited impact on the Trump administration, which continues to extend support to Israel and its right to defense. This means that the situation in the Gaza Strip is likely to remain miserable and unresolved for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the situation in Syria, almost a year into the change of regime, continues to be a cause of concern, with southern Syria fast emerging as a conflict zone and a sore point between Israel and the interim government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. Given that the Druze community in Syria is divided and the Druze and Bedouins are up in arms against each other, the task for the interim government is cut out to ensure peace and the safety of minority communities. The worsening situation in Syria can also put Türkiye and Israel on a collision course, which will add fuel to the fire in the Middle East.
With the hope to generate greater debate and informed academic discussion, the latest issue of Contemporary Review of the Middle East carries some important articles on various dimensions, including the Arab and Saudi understanding of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Kemalism, literature as a reflection of Palestinian memory and longing, economic diversification in the Gulf, electoral politics in Türkiye, South Korea’s evolving engagements with the Middle East and a reflection on the life and times of Iraqi leader Abd al-Karim Qasim through the novel The Midnight Street. Over to the issue!