Fifth Annual Back-to-School Event

The Fifth Annual CFR Back-to-School Event showcases CFR's InfoGuide on the Sunni-Shia divide and features a conversation with Deborah Amos and Vali R. Nasr on the nature of the conflict, its effect on the Middle East region, and tactics for managing it.

Learn more about CFR's resources for the classroom at CFR Education.

Explore More on Middle East and North Africa

Palestinian Territories

What Is Hamas?
The Palestinian militant group struggled to govern the Gaza Strip before launching a surprise attack on Israel in 2023. Now facing Israel’s military campaign to destroy it, Hamas’s future is in doubt, as is Gaza’s.

Backgrounder by Kali Robinson April 18, 2024

Iran

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
Conceived as the principal defenders of the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has evolved into an institution with vast political, economic, and military power.

Backgrounder by CFR.org Editors April 17, 2024

Iran

Iran’s Regional Armed Network
Iran’s web of armed partners such as Hezbollah and the Houthis serves to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and could pose a significant threat to the United States and U.S. allies in the region, especially Israel.  

Article by Kali Robinson and Will Merrow April 15, 2024

Top Stories on CFR

Ukraine

How Much U.S. Aid Is Going to Ukraine?
Nine charts illustrate the extraordinary level of support the United States has provided Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders.

Article by Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow May 9, 2024

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Few Options for Gazans as Israel Enters Rafah
An impending Israeli ground invasion of Rafah could threaten more than a million civilians seeking refuge in the city and further restrict humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

In Brief by Christina Bouri and Diana Roy May 8, 2024

Maldives

The Maldives Is Moving Toward China. Here’s What to Know.
Once a close Indian partner, the Maldives is now aligning more with China. Is the island nation becoming a flash point in the China-India relationship? 

In Brief by Rhea Basarkar May 2, 2024