Arab world
Geographical and cultural region in Africa and the Middle East
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We include updates on Syrian civil war, Nakba, Sahara, Muslim Brotherhood, Occupied Palestinian territories, Belly dance, Blockade of the Gaza Strip, Demographics of the State of Palestine, USS Cole bombing, 2011 Egyptian revolution, Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian right of return, Syrian opposition, Qatar diplomatic crisis, Palestinian Legislative Council, Southern Transitional Council ... and more.
| January 7 2026 | STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi was dismissed from the Presidential Leadership Council. |
| January 4 2026 | Saudi air strikes on STC positions enabled Saudi-backed forces to fully retake control of Hadhramawt and Al Mahrah governorates, effectively defeating the STC's territorial expansion. |
| January 2 2026 | The Southern Transitional Council (STC) published a constitutional declaration for the State of South Arabia, covering the historical borders of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaid announced the constitution would be in effect for two years, with a planned referendum on self-determination afterward. The declaration was to take immediate effect if dialogue fails or if military attack occurs. |
| January 2 2026 | Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council forces reclaim some territory from the STC in Hadhramaut Governorate, following Saudi air strikes on STC positions. |
| January 1 2026 | STC continues to maintain territorial control over most of the former South Yemen region. |
| 2025 |
Prime Minister of Syria
Conclusion of the Prime Minister role under the previous governmental system, coinciding with the fall of the Assad regime and transition to a caretaker government.
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| 2025 |
Demographics of Palestine
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reports total Palestinian population at approximately 15.2 million globally, with 7.8 million living outside historic Palestine, 5.61 million in 1967 Palestinian territories, and 1.9 million in 1948 territories.
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| 2025 | Egyptian parliamentary election scheduled to take place, representing a significant democratic process for the country's legislative representation. |
| 2025 |
Politics of Egypt
Most recent House of Representatives elections were conducted, representing the most current legislative renewal for Egypt's parliamentary system.
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| 2025 |
Arab flags
End of the recorded usage period for the Ba'ath Party flag with its distinctive Pan-Arab color scheme.
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| 2025 |
High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel
Rula Daood attempted to become the first woman to run for chairperson of the High Follow-Up Committee, but was unable to do so after potential supporters withdrew their backing. Jamal Zahalka ultimately won the election.
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| 2025 |
Human rights in Libya
International Commission of Jurists condemned collective expulsions, arrests, violent attacks, and increasing hate speech against migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers in Libya.
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| 2025 |
Syrian opposition
Ahmed al-Sharaa became President of Syria.
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| 2025 |
Water politics in the Nile Basin
Projected population data indicates substantial population growth in Nile Basin countries, with potential significant implications for water resource management and distribution.
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| 2025 |
Foreign relations of Syria
Syrian transitional government officially closed offices previously used by Polisario members in Damascus, signaling a shift in foreign policy towards Morocco.
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| 2025 |
Qatar and state-sponsored terrorism
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani (HBJ) was involved in a legal dispute with property investor Paddy McKillen, leading to public protests by pro-Israel groups accusing him of supporting Hamas.
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| 2025 |
Sahara
A genetic study sequenced individuals from Takarkori (7,000 years before present), revealing a distinct North African ancestral lineage previously unknown. The study challenged previous interpretations about population movements in the Green Sahara period.
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| 2025 |
Foreign relations of Syria
Canada reestablished diplomatic relations with Syria.
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| 2025 |
Prime Minister of Syria
New Interim Constitution establishes a presidential system, removing the position of prime minister and concentrating executive power in the president's hands.
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| 2025 |
Turkish occupation of northern Syria
Continued fighting between Turkish forces and Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria following the initial offensive.
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| December 2025 | Saudi forces withdraw from guarding the PLC's headquarters in Aden, coinciding with the STC's takeover. Saudi-aligned members of the Council leave the city, while the STC claims that the 'institutional makeup remains unchanged'. |
| December 2025 |
Canada–Syria relations
Canada removed Syria from its list of foreign state supporters of terrorism, revoked the terrorist designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, while maintaining targeted sanctions on former regime officials.
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| December 28 2025 |
Federalization of Syria
A larger protest of two thousand people in support of federalization took place. Security forces used gunfire, resulting in three people killed and forty wounded. Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, warned of potential internal conflict and called for international intervention and a decentralized federal political system.
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| December 28 2025 |
Federalization of Syria
A larger protest of two thousand people took place, again calling for federalization. Security forces used gunfire, resulting in three people killed and forty wounded.
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| December 22 2025 | Four non-STC members of the Presidential Leadership Council voted to suspend any public official supporting southern succession, in response to the ongoing political shifts in the region. |
| December 21 2025 | Rashad al-Alimi, chair of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, responded to the ministers' statements by claiming they exceeded their responsibilities and threatened legal action against those undermining state authority. |
| December 21 2025 | STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi declared that the 'next stage will be the stage of building institutions of the future state of South Arabia', signaling the STC's continued push for southern independence. |
| December 9 2025 | Florida Governor Ron DeSantis designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a 'foreign terrorist organization'. |
| December 8 2025 | STC successfully captured most of the territory in the 6 southern governorates during their offensive and declared intentions to advance towards Sanaa, the Houthi-held capital. |
| December 8 2025 | By this date, the STC had captured most of the territory in the six southern governorates, significantly expanding its territorial control. |
| December 8 2025 | In the aftermath of the offensive, Presidential Leadership Council chair Rashad al-Alimi and prime minister Salem Saleh bin Braik departed from Aden and traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. |
| December 8 2025 | The STC declared its intention to continue advancing militarily, with the stated goal of capturing Sanaa, which is currently held by the Houthi forces. |
| December 8 2025 | STC captured most of the territory comprising the 6 governorates of the former South Yemen. |
| December 2 2025 | The STC launched an offensive across southern Yemen. |
| November 2025 | A new report was presented in Washington to Congress members, diplomats, and scholars, alleging the Muslim Brotherhood is operating a 100-year plan to spread influence in Western institutions, with connections to Hamas and support from Qatar. |
| November 2025 | The United Kingdom reaffirmed its full support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. |
| November 2025 | A coalition of lawmakers began putting pressure to remove President Aguila Saleh from his position as president of the House of Representatives. |
| November 2025 | A coalition of lawmakers began putting pressure on the House of Representatives to remove President Aguila Saleh from his position. |
| November 2025 |
Federalization of Syria
Opposition politician Samir Nashar argued that federalization remains the most realistic model for reorganizing Syrian governing structures.
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| November 25 2025 |
Federalization of Syria
A protest of two hundred people in Latakia occurred, demanding federalization. Security forces responded with gunfire.
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| November 24 2025 | Trump administration began the process to designate Muslim Brotherhood branches in Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. |
| November 18 2025 | The state of Texas designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and a transnational criminal organization. |
| November 17 2025 |
Gaza Strip under Hamas
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 is adopted, containing provisions to place the Gaza Strip under international administration.
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| October 2025 |
Libya (GNA)–Turkey maritime deal
Khaled Haftar visited Greece, meeting with the Greek Defense Minister and the Chief of the Greek National Defense General Staff.
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| October 2025 |
Gaza Strip under Hamas
A Gaza peace plan is agreed, with the Israeli military controlling approximately 53% of the Gaza Strip.
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| October 2025 |
Libya (GNA)–Turkey maritime deal
Greece introduced a proposal for a regional cooperation framework involving Libya, Egypt, Cyprus, and Turkey, suggesting a multilateral '5×5' approach for collaboration.
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| September 2025 |
Federalization of Syria
Researchers Nader al-Khalil and Zaidoun al-Zoubi publish an analysis discussing the potential impacts of federalization on Syrian national identity, examining both potential positive and negative outcomes of federal governance.
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This contents of the box above is based on material from the Wikipedia articles Human rights in Libya, Prime Minister of Syria, Canada–Syria relations, Muslim Brotherhood, High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, Politics of Egypt, Public holidays in Palestine, Gaza Strip under Hamas, List of Arab flags, Syrian opposition (2011–2024), Presidential Leadership Council, Qatar and state-sponsored terrorism, House of Representatives (Libya), Turkish occupation of northern Syria, After Saturday comes Sunday, Demographics of Palestine, Southern Transitional Council, Libya (GNA)–Turkey maritime deal, Parliament of Egypt, Federalization of Syria, Sahara, Government of National Stability, Foreign relations of Syria, Water politics in the Nile Basin, Bedoon & United Nations Support Mission in Libya, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.