On February 24, 2026, the UN Security Council delivered a fresh political and legal blow to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias, placing several of its top commanders under sanctions.

Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework backs Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister despite U.S. opposition and internal warnings of risks.

U.S. envoy Mark Savaya is set to visit Iraq with a high-stakes agenda focused on curbing Iran-backed militias, reforming the banking sector, cutting off illicit financing, and influencing the formation of the next government to strengthen state authority and ensure stability.

Tensions have escalated between Moscow and Tehran after Russia’s Sergey Lavrov and former Iranian diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif traded accusations over the snapback mechanism, described as the “legal trap” in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Talk of South Sudan’s first presidential election since its 2011 independence referendum, expected in 2026, has been clouded by setbacks as opposition leader Riek Machar prepares to challenge current President Salva Kiir Mayardit.