Arab leaders at the Arab League summit declared total support for the Palestinian cause amid Benjamin Netanyahu's potential return to Israeli leadership. The summit, the first since the UAE normalized ties with Israel, emphasized the Palestinian right to an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital. The summit's final statement supported Palestinian full membership in the UN and did not mention the Arab-Israeli normalization deals. The summit also addressed regional issues like the Libyan crisis and the Syrian conflict, and backed OPEC's oil production policy. Notable absences included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is considering a new military operation in Syria to create a safe zone along the border, leveraging more favorable conditions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Erdogan plans to use Turkey's veto power over Finland's and Sweden's NATO bids as leverage, anticipating that the US might allow the operation to facilitate NATO expansion and that Russia, distracted by Ukraine and sanctions, would not intervene.

Sudanese citizens filled the streets of Khartoum to celebrate the signing of a declaration on the country's transitional constitution, marking a move towards civilian rule after 30 years under former president Omar al-Bashir. The constitutional declaration, a compromise between the protest movement and the ruling military council, was signed at the Friendship Hall and is expected to lead to elections in late 2022. While the mood was celebratory, with people of all ages expressing newfound freedoms, there remains cautious optimism about the transition's impact on daily life and economic conditions.

Sudan is set to sign a deal to transition to civilian rule after a period of political crisis and civil unrest. The agreement between the Transitional Military Council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change follows the ousting of Omar al-Bashir and is expected to lead to the lifting of Sudan's suspension from the African Union. The deal allows for a civilian-majority ruling council, but the military retains significant power. Key positions, such as the interior and defense ministers, will be chosen by military members of the council. The legislative body will be at least 40 percent female, and the paramilitary forces and intelligence services will come under the control of the army and sovereign council. However, concerns remain about the military's influence and the fate of Bashir, who faces corruption charges and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes in Darfur. The power-sharing deal has been criticized for not sufficiently curbing military power or ensuring justice for killed demonstrators.

2017 marked the end of the Islamic State group's territorial control, with the loss of Mosul in Iraq and Raqa in Syria. The military campaign, supported by the US-led coalition and Russia, now faces the aftermath of destroyed cities and the challenge of preventing the resurgence of extremism. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has maintained his position through the conflict, while the status of the Hashed al-Shaabi and reconstruction efforts pose significant challenges. In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad's regime is less supported internationally, and tensions with US-backed Kurdish forces loom. Despite reduced fighting, the humanitarian crisis persists, with millions displaced in both Iraq and Syria. The treatment of detainees and the pursuit of justice are critical for sustainable peace.

Lebanon's central bank governor, Riad Salameh, stated that the country's ability to endure the recent crisis, sparked by Prime Minister Saad Hariri's now-rescinded resignation, has bolstered confidence in the Lebanese economy. Despite the crisis, monetary stability was maintained, leading to increased depositor interest rates from 6-7% to 8-9%. Salameh highlighted the resilience of Lebanon's economy and the validation of the central bank's policies, suggesting a positive outlook for future investment.