Martin Jay

Dr Sinem Cengiz: Turkiye navigating between Washington and Tehran With the US-Israel and Iran war now a week old, three significant developments have occurred that reveal how Turkiye is signaling its positions to both Tehran and Washington. Ankara has communicated its messages through President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Ministry of Defense. Following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Erdogan stated that he was saddened by Khamenei’s passing and extended condolences to the Iranian people.

Dr Sinem Cengiz: Turkiye navigating between Washington and Tehran

With the US-Israel and Iran war now a week old, three significant developments have occurred that reveal how Turkiye is signaling its positions to both Tehran and Washington. Ankara has communicated its messages through President…

US Defence Secretary backs Israeli war on Iran The US-Israel alliance looks set to deepen as US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth expressed support for his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, according to Middle East Eye and agencies on March 5th. During overnight talks, Hegseth reportedly told Katz that Israel should "continue to the end, we are with you." Katz thanked Hegseth for the extensive US assistance to Israel and noted that US-Israel cooperation against Iran is "changing regional and global history."

US Defence Secretary backs Israeli war on Iran

The US-Israel alliance looks set to deepen as US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth expressed support for his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, according to Middle East Eye and agencies on March 5th. During overnight talks, Hegseth reportedly told Katz…

Algeria remains reserved on Iran war On a diplomatic level, Algeria has dealt with the war on Iran with extreme prudence, reports Le Matin d'Algerie on 5th March. The Tebboune regime is maintaining a balance act between preserving longstanding alliances, and navigating the pressures of its developing relations with the Trump administration. Official statements have so far focused on de-escalation and calling for restraint, as well as defending the…

Algeria remains reserved on Iran war

On a diplomatic level, Algeria has dealt with the war on Iran with extreme prudence, reports Le Matin d'Algerie on 5th March. The Tebboune regime is maintaining a balance act between preserving longstanding alliances, and navigating the pressures of its…

UK says Western Sahara products should not have Morocco label Agricultural products coming from Western Sahara cannot be labelled as Moroccan when sold in the United Kingdom, according to a UK minister, as reported by Moroccan government-friendly Yabiladi on March 6th. Angela Eagle, the UK minister of state for food security and rural affairs, set out the position in response to a parliamentary question, on March 3rd. Eagle said UK food labelling rules require origin information to be accurate and not mislead consumers.

UK says Western Sahara products should not have Morocco label

Agricultural products coming from Western Sahara cannot be labelled as Moroccan when sold in the United Kingdom, according to a UK minister, as reported by Moroccan government-friendly Yabiladi on March 6th. Angela Eagle, the UK…

Suspects identified in Saif al-Islam Gaddafi assassination Authorities have revealed new details surrounding the fatal shooting of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, outlining how investigators reconstructed the events that led to his death which have led to the identification of several suspects believed to be involved. In a statement, the Attorney General’s Office said field and technical investigations uncovered the circumstances of the assassination and pointed to three individuals suspected of carrying out the attack on February 3th, as…

Suspects identified in Saif al-Islam Gaddafi assassination

Authorities have revealed new details surrounding the fatal shooting of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, outlining how investigators reconstructed the events that led to his death which have led to the identification of several suspects believed to…

Algeria presents renewable energy plans at expo in Italy Algeria took part in an international energy transition exhibition in Rimini, Italy, from March 4th to 6th, according to Algerian government-friendly AL24 News. Key – The Energy Transition Expo, is one of the main European events dedicated to energy transition and clean technologies. It brings together companies, researchers and investors which present solutions which intend to support decarbonisation and the development of renewable energy.

Algeria presents renewable energy plans at expo in Italy

Algeria took part in an international energy transition exhibition in Rimini, Italy, from March 4th to 6th, according to Algerian government-friendly AL24 News. Key – The Energy Transition Expo, is one of the main European events dedicated…

Jihadist raid on northern Benin army base kills 15 soldiers Fifteen soldiers were killed after jihadist militants attacked an army base in northern Benin, the country’s military confirmed, as reported by Africanews with AFP on March 6th. The assault, which occurred on March 4th in Kofouno near the border with Niger, was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group active across the Sahel.

Jihadist raid on northern Benin army base kills 15 soldiers

Fifteen soldiers were killed after jihadist militants attacked an army base in northern Benin, the country’s military confirmed, as reported by Africanews with AFP on March 6th. The assault, which occurred on March 4th in Kofouno near the…

South Sudan soldiers to face trial over killing of civilians South Sudan’s army confirmed on March 4th that its own soldiers will face a military trial over the killing of civilians in Jonglei state, Africanews via AFP reported. Two officers, including a major and a number of non-commissioned officers have been arrested over the massacre, according to South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Lul Ruai Koang. The suspects will be taken to the capital Juba to face charges before a military court.

South Sudan soldiers to face trial over killing of civilians

South Sudan’s army confirmed on March 4th that its own soldiers will face a military trial over the killing of civilians in Jonglei state, Africanews via AFP reported. Two officers, including a major and a number of non-commissioned…

Sentences handed over irregular Morocco-Canary Islands migration Two people have been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison by a Spanish court for being involved in migrant crossings from southern Morocco to the Canary Islands, according to the Moroccan government-friendly Yabiladi on March 6th. The court in Las Palmas found the pair guilty of facilitating irregular migration as part of a network operating along Morocco’s southern coast. Reportedly, the group organised at least four sea journeys between September 2022 and July 2023. The attempted crossings left 96 people dead. Yabiladi, Maghrebi.org

Sentences handed over irregular Morocco-Canary Islands migration

Two people have been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison by a Spanish court for being involved in migrant crossings from southern Morocco to the Canary Islands, according to the Moroccan government-friendly Yabiladi on March…

Uncertainty grows over Iran’s participation in World Cup

Iran's participation in this year’s FIFA World Cup has been thrown into doubt following recent US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, as reported by The New Arab and agencies on March 3rd.  As tensions escalate, questions are emerging…

WHO warns of severe medical supply shortages in Gaza

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gaza is facing a severe shortage of medical supplies, raising concerns about the sustainability of treating patients, Al-Monitor via Reuters reported on March 6th.  Reportedly, essential items…

Doubts grow over Morocco hosting the Women’s AFCON

Uncertainty surrounds the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations as questions arise about whether Morocco will still host the tournament. With the competition scheduled to begin on March 17th, concerns have emerged just days before kickoff, as…

Huda al-Husseini: War with Iran and disruption to global energy markets The war with Iran has reshuffled the cards in global energy markets, pushing oil prices back to the forefront of geopolitics after a period of relative calm at the end of 2025. As tensions escalate, the Strait of Hormuz has returned to the center of calculations, as around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas trade, valued at around $1.3 billion per day, flows through its waters.

Huda al-Husseini: War with Iran and disruption to global energy markets

The war with Iran has reshuffled the cards in global energy markets, pushing oil prices back to the forefront of geopolitics after a period of relative calm at the end of 2025. As tensions escalate, the Strait of Hormuz has…

Sudanese army retakes strategic town from paramilitaries Sudan’s army has recaptured the town of Bara in North Kordofan on 5 March from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces(RSF) after clashes that killed at least 51 people across the region, reports AL24 News and agencies. The Sudanese army said it had retaken Bara after battling with RSF fighters. The town lies on a key highway linking Khartoum with the North Kordofan state capital…

Sudanese army retakes strategic town from paramilitaries

Sudan’s army has recaptured the town of Bara in North Kordofan on 5 March from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces(RSF) after clashes that killed at least 51 people across the region, reports AL24 News and agencies. The Sudanese army said…

Women’s AFCON postponed The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations just 12 days before the football tournament was due to begin, reports the BBC on 5 March. CAF said in a statement that the competition had been rescheduled to July because of “unforeseen circumstances”. The tournament had been scheduled to run from 17 March to 3 April in Morocco and will now take place from 25 July to 16 August.

Women’s AFCON postponed

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations just 12 days before the football tournament was due to begin, reports the BBC on 5 March. CAF said in a statement that the competition had been rescheduled to July because of…

Iran war oil price spike raises concerns in Africa The escalating conflict involving Iran is causing rising global oil prices are creating serious economic concerns for many African countries, according to Africa News and agencies on March 5th. Experts warn that the surge in energy costs could slow economic growth and worsen inflation across the continent, particularly in nations that rely heavily on imported fuel. Oil prices have increased significantly as tensions in the Middle East…

Iran war oil price spike raises concerns in Africa

The escalating conflict involving Iran is causing rising global oil prices are creating serious economic concerns for many African countries, according to Africa News and agencies on March 5th. Experts warn that the surge in energy costs could…

Middle East is now facing a major humanitarian emergency Lebanon’s escalating conflict has displaced nearly 100,000 people and forced tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to cross back into Syria, intensifying a humanitarian emergency and raising concerns over civilian protection and refugee returns, as reported on March 6th by Reuters. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that the figures are likely incomplete, as movements continue and access remains uncertain and unreported in several affected areas.

Middle East is now facing a major humanitarian emergency

Lebanon’s escalating conflict has displaced nearly 100,000 people and forced tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to cross back into Syria, intensifying a humanitarian emergency and raising concerns over civilian protection and refugee…

Moroccans stranded in Dubai evacuated Royal Air Maroc has evacuated 270 Moroccan nationals stranded in Dubai, following disruptions to air travel across the Middle East, reports Moroccan government friendly Yabiladi. The evacuation took place on 4 March through a special flight organised by the Moroccan national airline. It departed Dubai International Airport at 10:00 am local time and arrived at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca.

Moroccans stranded in Dubai evacuated

Royal Air Maroc has evacuated 270 Moroccan nationals stranded in Dubai, following disruptions to air travel across the Middle East, reports Moroccan government friendly Yabiladi. The evacuation took place on 4 March through a special flight organised by the…

Lebanon moves to ban and deport Iran’s guards Lebanon’s cabinet stated it will ban any activity by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Lebanese territory and move to detain and deport its members from the country, as reported on March 5th by The Arab World and agencies.  Information Minister Paul Morcos said the cabinet had decided to “prevent any activity” the Iran Guards “may carry out from Lebanese territory”, and to have suspected members “detained by the competent judiciary body” ahead of deportation.

Lebanon moves to ban and deport Iran’s guards

Lebanon’s cabinet stated it will ban any activity by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Lebanese territory and move to detain and deport its members from the country, as reported on March 5th by The Arab World and agencies.  Information…

Moroccan religious scholars back statement condemning Iran war Several Moroccan religious scholars have joined a statement condemning the recent strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, reports Yabiladi on 5 March. The statement was issued by Mauritanian preacher Mohamed El Hassan Ould Deddou and has been endorsed by religious figures from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. It signals that, despite longstanding doctrinal differences, Sunni scholars are willing to come together in support of Shia-majority Iran.

Moroccan religious scholars back statement condemning Iran war

Several Moroccan religious scholars have joined a statement condemning the recent strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, reports Yabiladi on 5 March. The statement was issued by Mauritanian preacher Mohamed El Hassan Ould…

Questions emerge over Morocco’s ability to host Women’s AFCON Doubts have emerged over Morocco’s ability to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations less than two weeks before the football tournament is scheduled to begin on 17 March, reports Africanews. Morocco has warned that it may struggle to meet preparation deadlines as stadium renovation work continues alongside a crowded sporting calendar. The Confederation of African Football (CAF)

Questions emerge over Morocco’s ability to host Women’s AFCON

Doubts have emerged over Morocco’s ability to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations less than two weeks before the football tournament is scheduled to begin on 17 March, reports Africanews. Morocco has warned that it may struggle…

Sudan declines UN’s proposed weapons embargo expansion Sudan's Justice Minister refused the UN's call for a nationwide weapons embargo, as reported by the Sudan Tribune, on 27th February. The appeal was initiated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, during an interactive dialogue held in Geneva that day. Turk addressed his concern for Sudan's civil war in what he described as 'brutal, bloody and senseless'.

Sudan declines UN’s proposed weapons embargo expansion

Sudan's Justice Minister refused the UN's call for a nationwide weapons embargo, as reported by the Sudan Tribune, on 27th February. The appeal was initiated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, during an interactive…

UN Security Council urges unity among Libya’s rival leaders International attention has once again turned to Libya’s unresolved political crisis, with renewed calls for progress amid continuing uncertainty over the country’s future. Members of the United Nations Security Council have reaffirmed their full support for Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), while encouraging renewed efforts to advance Libya’s stalled political process, as…

UN Security Council urges unity among Libya’s rival leaders

International attention has once again turned to Libya’s unresolved political crisis, with renewed calls for progress amid continuing uncertainty over the country’s future. Members of the United Nations Security Council have reaffirmed…

Libyan party condemns US and Israeli strikes on Iran A Libyan political party has issued a strongly worded condemnation of what it described as American and Israeli aggression against Iran, warning that the escalation signals a dangerous shift in the global order. In a statement the People's Voice Party denounced the alleged actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran as a “full-fledged crime”, claiming the justifications offered for the aggression were weak and unconvincing, as…

Libyan party condemns US and Israeli strikes on Iran

A Libyan political party has issued a strongly worded condemnation of what it described as American and Israeli aggression against Iran, warning that the escalation signals a dangerous shift in the global order. In a statement the People's Voice…

Moroccan hackers announce cyber attack against Israel A Moroccan hacker group has announced cyber attacks against Israel, possibly signalling the Moroccan public's increasing objection to the Kingdom's Israeli ties, according to the pro-Moroccan Yabiladi and agencies on March 4th. In a statement, the Moroccan Black Cyber Army said: "We declare a massive and destructive cyberattack on the official website of the TCS telecommunications company in Tel Aviv."

Moroccan hackers announce cyber attack against Israel

A Moroccan hacker group has announced cyber attacks against Israel, possibly signalling the Moroccan public's increasing objection to the Kingdom's Israeli ties, according to the pro-Moroccan Yabiladi and agencies on March 4th. In a statement,…

Morocco backs nuclear safety cooperation at IAEA Morocco has renewed its commitment to advancing nuclear and radiological safety cooperation in developing countries, according to the Moroccan government-friendly North Africa Post and agencies on March 4th. This was following the Kingdom's attendance at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. Morocco’s ambassador to international organisations in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, addressed the IAEA Board of Governors…

Morocco backs nuclear safety cooperation at IAEA

Morocco has renewed its commitment to advancing nuclear and radiological safety cooperation in developing countries, according to the Moroccan government-friendly North Africa Post and agencies on March 4th. This was following the Kingdom's…

Martin Jay: Does Trump have a strategy in Iran? Did Marco Rubio just admit that Israel dragged the U.S. into the war with the first strike? The whole world is just waking up and realizing that the war is based on no strategy whatsoever. How very Trump. Churchill’s comment about history being kind to him, because it will be him (Churchill) who will write it, isn’t going to apply to Donald Trump, who is the first U.S.

Martin Jay: Does Trump have a strategy in Iran?

Did Marco Rubio just admit that Israel dragged the U.S. into the war with the first strike? The whole world is just waking up and realizing that the war is based on no strategy whatsoever. How very Trump. Churchill’s comment about history being kind…

Russia blames drones launched from Libya for tanker sinking A Russian gas tanker sank off the Libyan coast after an explosion that Moscow blamed on Ukrainian drones operating from Libya, as reported by the Arab Weekly and agencies on March 5th. The ship, known as Arctic Metagaz, caught fire on March 3rd and sank the following day in waters between Libya and Malta. Libya’s maritime rescue agency said the tanker exploded and caught fire before sinking.

Russia blames drones launched from Libya for tanker sinking

A Russian gas tanker sank off the Libyan coast after an explosion that Moscow blamed on Ukrainian drones operating from Libya, as reported by the Arab Weekly and agencies on March 5th. The ship, known as Arctic Metagaz, caught fire on…

Deadly landslide at DR Congo coltan mine kills over 200 More than 200 people have died after a landslide struck a major mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as reported by BBC Africa and agencies on March 5th. The incident occurred on March 3rd in Rubaya, one of the world’s most important sources of coltan, after heavy rainfall triggered the collapse of an informal mining area. Rubaya is located roughly 70 kilometres west of…

Deadly landslide at DR Congo coltan mine kills over 200

More than 200 people have died after a landslide struck a major mining site in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as reported by BBC Africa and agencies on March 5th. The incident occurred on March 3rd in Rubaya, one of the world’s…

African states to create regional counterterrorism force West Africa's fight against terrorism has intensified with the announcement of plans to create a regional counterterrorism force, as reported by Africa News via AFP on March 4th. Reportedly, the 12-member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc met in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to discuss the growing Islamist threat in the region. The initial goal is to have 2,000 troops stationed in their own countries to address "terrorism and insecurity" across…

African states to create regional counterterrorism force

West Africa's fight against terrorism has intensified with the announcement of plans to create a regional counterterrorism force, as reported by Africa News via AFP on March 4th. Reportedly, the 12-member states of the Economic Community of…