Following the first round of indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Muscat last week, senior officials from both countries sent positive signals. However, before a date was set for the second round of talks, Iran’s foreign minister announced what Iran calls “red lines” and threatened to go to war if the American side insisted on ignoring them. The US also gave its response through the media, with footage of the American negotiating delegation visiting the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.

The UN has warned that the threat posed by jihadist groups in the West African and Sahel region is growing, sparking fears of increased violence, as reported by Africa News via AP on February 5th. At a Security Council meeting on February 4th, the acting Undersecretary-General of the UN's Counter Terrorism Office, Alexandre Zouev, warned that groups affiliated with the so-called…

Libya has been ranked among the most corrupt nations in the world, as reported by the Libya Review and agencies on February 10th. A new global assessment paints a bleak picture of the country’s governance standards, placing it near the very bottom of the international table once again. According to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International, Libya ranks 177th out of 182 countries and territories, earning a score of just 13 out of 100.

A powerful cyclone with winds reaching 250 kilometres per hour has killed at least 31 people on Madagascar’s east coast, as reported by France 24 and agencies on February 11th. Cyclone Gezani made landfall on February 10th in the port city of Toamasina, the country’s second-largest city, bringing violent winds and severe flooding that destroyed homes and left widespread destruction in its wake.

Libya has reopened its oil sector to international competition for the first time in nearly two decades, as reported by The Libya Observer. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on February 11 the outcome of its first public bid round in 17 years, offering 20 exploration blocks for oil and gas drilling. The long-awaited licensing round signals a renewed push to expand production and draw foreign capital into the country’s vital hydrocarbons industry.

Following the confidential meeting on the Western Sahara, held in Madrid on the 8th and 9th February, the Moroccan side has emerged comforted in its claim to sovereignty, reports Moroccan government-friendly Hespress on 10th February. The US-facilitated meeting brought together officials from Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and the Polisario Front, along with Trump's Senior Advisor Massad Boulos, US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz and the UN's Special envoy for the Sahara Staffan De Mistura.

Ethiopian Airlines earned 4.4 billion US dollars in the first half of the 2025/26 fiscal year, marking a 14% increase from the previous year, according to an APA News report on February 10th. Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, speaking at a press event, said the airline’s revenue for the six months since July 8, 2025, was also 2% higher than its internal target.

Ethiopian Airlines earned 4.4 billion US dollars in the first half of the 2025/26 fiscal...

Slowly but surely women make progress in leadership roles in Libya with the election of Jamila al-Lawati as Mayor of Suluq Municipality The Arab Weekly writes on February 10th. The inauguration was attended by high-ranking officials, marking its significance. Al-Lawati follows Mayor al-Maqtoof of Zaltan, located in the rival western region, as the second female Mayor in Libya. The Arab Weekly

Slowly but surely women make progress in leadership roles in Libya with the election of...

Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports has introduced remote learning in several regions...

A specialised surgical team at Ibn Sine Teaching Hospital in Libya completed 20 complex joint replacement surgeries, hospital officials announced on January 10th, according to Libya Review. The surgeries were carried out in Sirte, between Tripoli and Benghazi, with the support of national medical authorities, who said the initiative aims to expand advanced orthopaedic care and reduce the need for treatment abroad.

A specialised surgical team at Ibn Sine Teaching Hospital in Libya completed 20 complex joint...

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector hit record visitor numbers and expenses in 2025, becoming a stronger part of the national economy, as reported by Arabian Business on February 9th. Speaking at the Ministerial Panel, “When Government Works for Business” during the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Tourism Minister, said the sector’s growth is linked to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which also includes the government’s plan to reduce reliance on oil and expand other industries.

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector hit record visitor numbers and expenses in 2025, becoming a stronger...

In recent days, I have seen more mainstream media commentators claiming that a peace deal can’t be agreed without Ukraine. But that is a statement of the blindingly obvious. Of course, Ukraine must agree to the terms of any agreement. But Russia must also agree to the terms of any agreement, and it has been the exclusion of Russia from any direct dialogue on ending the war which has led to the war dragging on for almost four years.

In recent days, I have seen more mainstream media commentators claiming that a peace deal...

Hezbollah has shifted its position in Lebanon from open confrontation against the state to “managing” its differences with it. On 10th February, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, made a statement that marked a change in tone after months of sharp criticism of Lebanon’s president and government, as reported by Asharq Al-Awsat. The certainties of Lebanon’s Shiite party are crumbling, making a change of course necessary.

Burkina Faso's transitional parliament has approved a ban on political parties, which could be used by the military junta to further cement its rule, as reported by Africa News and agencies on February 10th. The bill, which repeals the charter of political parties and a law related to party financing, electoral campaigns and the status of opposition, was approved on February 9th and received no opposition from lawmakers.

Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has approved a ban on political parties, which could be used...

Morocco has reaffirmed its strategic partnership with US defence contractor, Lockheed Martin, as reported by the Moroccan government-friendly North Africa Post and agencies on February 9th. Abdellatif Loudiyi, the Kingdom's Minister for Defence, toured the World Defence Show, currently being held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The exhibition showcases the latest defence technology and is attended by leading military contractors.

Morocco has reaffirmed its strategic partnership with US defence contractor, Lockheed Martin, as reported by...

Kenya has moved to confront Russia over what it calls the covert recruitment of its citizens to fight in Ukraine, according to the BBC on February 10th. Kenyan authorities say they will raise the issue directly with Moscow amid growing reports that Kenyan nationals are being drawn into Russia’s war effort in Ukraine through informal and illegal channels. Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi described the practice as "unacceptable and clandestine" and said Nairobi would push for firm guarantees to prevent the draft of Kenyan citizens.

Kenya has moved to confront Russia over what it calls the covert recruitment of its...

Since 2023, Sudan's civil war has severely disrupted the lives of nomadic herders, who are stuck in the desert outside the major central Sudanese city of El-Obeid, according to a Reuters report on February 9th. The war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023 has caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions…