Recent U.S. sanctions on Lebanese officials linked to Hezbollah and its allies signal an escalation aimed at reshaping Lebanon’s internal balance and pressuring state institutions to distance themselves from the group.

The makeup of Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi’s new government revealed the absence of any figure directly affiliated with armed factions, raising a central question over how far the U.S. succeeded in pushing those groups out of power as part of its conditions for maintaining ties with Baghdad and continuing political support.

As Iraqi prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi pushes ahead with efforts to form a new government, the U.S. is simultaneously imposing sanctions on Iraqi figures and leaders of armed factions, while issuing repeated warnings against including such groups in the upcoming cabinet.

The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have sparked Maghreb-wide political, economic, and social concerns, prompting calls for unity, dialogue, and strategic preparedness.

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.