Iran Rearms Houthi Proxies for Red Sea Attacks

 CNN posted on 19 July 2025 an article titled "'Nothing Has Changed': Iran Tries to Rearm Proxy Groups as US Talks Stall" by Mostafa Salem and Nic Robertson.

Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen sank two Liberian-flagged commercial ships in the Red Sea last week.  Three days after Iran and Israel declared a ceasefire, forces in Yemen loyal to the internationally recognized government seized a vessel with 750 tons of Iranian missiles and military equipment destined for the Houthis.  Iran also continues to support proxies in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria.  

USAID Dismantled and Children Die

 The Associated Press published on 16 May 2025 an article titled "Children Die as USAID Cuts Snap a Lifeline for the World's Most Malnourished" by Taiwo Adebayo.

Drawing on a program implemented by Mercy Corps in Nigeria to feed malnourished children, the article documents the damage caused by dismantling USAID.  It also looks at the closure of global programs administered by Helen Keller International.  

The Trump Administration Reverses Course and Reinstates Food Aid Programs in Six Countries

 Reuters published on 8 April 2025 an article titled "Trump Administration Moves to Restore Some Terminated Foreign Aid Programs, Sources Say" by Jonathan Landay, Daphne Psaledakis, and Humeyra Pamuk.  

The Trump administration reinstated at least 6 recently cancelled US foreign aid programs for emergency food assistance following pressure from inside the administration and from Congress.  The reversal allows food aid programs to continue in Somalia, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Ecuador.

USAID's Door Closing Quickly

 The Washington Post published on 7 April 2025 an article titled "Marco Rubio Said He'd Protect Lifesaving Aid Overseas.  DOGE Disagreed" by Annie Gowen.

USAID's new 28-year-old deputy administrator from the DOGE team has ordered the termination of key medical and emergency assistance work across Africa and the Middle East.  His order seems to contradict Secretary of State Marco Rubio's promise to continue lifesaving USAID programs.  

The Implications of a USAID Shutdown

 Brookings published on 4 February 2025 a series of essays titled "Implications of a USAID Shutdown."

This is a series of short essays by a variety of experts on how the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID will impact US foreign policy.  The introduction, written several days ago, suggests the administration may be walking back the dismantlement.  More recent information suggests this is not the case.  On the contrary, it appears to be stepping up the disintegration of the organization.  

China's Outreach to Political Parties in North Africa and Middle East

 The South China Morning Post published on 14 August 2023 an article titled "How China's Communist Party Seeks to Win Friends and Influence Through Mideast Political Groups" by Zhao Ziwen.  

The Communist Party of China (CPC) recently reached out to political parties in North Africa and the Middle East.  More than 60 party leaders and think tank representatives from 19 countries were invited to the dialogue in China, which has been held every two years since 2016.  At this event, the CPC promotes its governance model to Arab countries as a path to development.  

China Tries to Dominate Port Construction in Eastern Mediterranean

 The Middle East Institute published on 18 August 2021 an analysis titled "The Race to Reset the Middle East's Maritime Map" by Michael Tanchum.

China's actual port development in Egypt and efforts to expand its port construction contracts in Israel and Lebanon underscore its goal to strengthen trade and political ties in the eastern Mediterranean.  

Sudanese Land Grabs Contribute to Unrest

The Pulitzer Center posted on 30 May 2019 an article titled "Land Grabbing and Its Implications for Sudanese--Views from a Scholar" by Fredrick Mugira and Annika McGinnis. The article is based on an interview with Stefano Turrini, a scholar studying Sudanese dry lands agriculture as a PhD candidate at Padova University in Italy.

Since the beginning of this century, Sudan has significantly increased the number of long term leases it has granted to foreign companies for the purpose of growing and exporting food crops, animal feed such as alfalfa, and biofuels. These are often seen by Sudanese as land grabs and resulting in growing concerns. Most of the leases are obtained by companies from Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Syria.

Response to GW Hatchet article on death of Brian Adkins

It was with particular sadness that I read the details of the death of Brian Adkins in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as reported by GW Hatchet staff writers Carly Lagrotteria and Eric Roper. Although I did not know Brian well, I met with him before he departed for Ethiopia. It brought back memories. I was about his age with B.A. and M.A. degrees from GW when I departed in 1964 for my first foreign service assignment in Lebanon. What an exhilarating time of life. Brian had everything going for him. And what a tragic end to his life! My own experience with Ethiopia began in 1969 as the assistant desk officer for Ethiopia in the Department of State. My career neared its end as the ambassador to Ethiopia from 1996 to 1999. I have the fondest memories of the country and the Ethiopian people. I would just like to emphasize that Brian's experience is a complete anomaly. I have no idea what led to this violent act, but it is important that Americans not generalize about Ethiopians on the basis of the terrible actions by this individual.