Edward Finkelstein

The United Nations is preparing to slash 20% of its $3.7 billion budget and eliminate nearly 7,000 jobs. While headlines frame this as a looming disaster, for many observers, it’s not a crisis—it’s long overdue.

At a time when many advanced economies are grappling with persistent inflation, sluggish growth, and geopolitical uncertainty, Israel has emerged as a striking case of resilience and recovery. 

In a development few foresaw, the Lebanese army has made substantial headway in asserting state authority over southern Lebanon, an area long dominated by Hezbollah. 

As Lebanon emerges from the shadows of a deadly and destructive war between Israel and Hezbollah that lasted over a year, its people are trying to reclaim some sense of normalcy.

For the first time on record, Israeli and Syrian officials have held direct, face-to-face meetings in the sensitive border zone separating their two countries — a development with potentially far-reaching implications in a region still reeling from the fall of the Assad regime.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he is hopeful that news regarding Israeli hostages held in Gaza may emerge within the next 48 hours, suggesting progress in international mediation efforts.

Morocco is accelerating efforts to modernize its electricity grid as part of a broader strategy to integrate 12.5 GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The Palestinian delegation secured a symbolic but politically charged victory on Monday at the World Health Organization (WHO), gaining the right to fly their flag at the organization’s headquarters and events. 

In a sobering encounter that cut through the haze of idealism and political posturing, former Hamas hostage Agam Berger met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday and delivered a stark message: diplomacy with Hamas is not just futile—it’s reckless.

British exploration company Critical Mineral Resources is expanding its footprint in Morocco by acquiring a majority stake in a new copper and silver project. 

In a recent interview, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Michael Leiter, floated a surprising scenario: that Syria and Lebanon could formalize diplomatic relations with Israel before Saudi Arabia does.

In a landmark policy shift, Saudi Arabia has announced that beginning in 2026, it will license the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in approximately 600 designated locations across the country.