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.

Kozo Okamoto, a former member of the Japanese Red Army, survived a suicide attack he perpetrated in 1972 at Tel Aviv airport, killing 26. Now 74, he lives peacefully in Lebanon as the first and only political refugee from the country. Despite being on Japan's wanted list for the attack committed in the name of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, he is considered a hero among Palestinian refugees. After various imprisonments, he was released by Israel in 1985 and later granted asylum in Lebanon. On the 50th anniversary of the attack, Okamoto made a public appearance with FPLP militants in Beirut.

Kozo Okamoto, a member of the Japanese Red Army, survived a suicide attack at Israel's Lod airport in 1972, which resulted in 26 deaths. Despite his involvement, Okamoto lives as Lebanon's only political refugee, supported by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). He has faced imprisonment and a high-profile trial in Israel, where he sought the death penalty but was sentenced to life and later released in a prisoner exchange. Okamoto's life in Lebanon has been marked by a second arrest, a release under pressure, and a quiet existence under the care of the PFLP. He recently made a public appearance at a 50th-anniversary commemoration. Okamoto's life is now sedate, with no threat posed to Israel or Japan, but Japan still seeks his extradition annually.

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.

Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Qurashi was killed during a US raid in the Syrian town of Atme. US officials reported that Qurashi detonated a bomb to avoid capture, resulting in his death and that of his immediate family. The raid followed a significant IS operation at a Kurdish-run prison in Hasakeh. Intelligence opportunities may have arisen from the prison break. The operation's timing suggests a connection to the prison attack, and analysts believe the US may have pressured Turkey for information. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 13 deaths, while Save the Children noted six children were killed. Qurashi's location in HTS-controlled territory was not unexpected, as his predecessor was also found in Idlib. Experts believe the IS group remains weak despite the prison attack and will need to appoint a new leader.

The Arab Spring, which began ten years ago with a series of revolts across the Arab world, led to the collapse of long-standing regimes but also to the rise and fall of a jihadist caliphate, leaving the region in a state of upheaval. The initial wave of protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen resulted in varying outcomes, from disappointing reforms to dictatorial backlash and conflict. Despite the setbacks, the spirit of the revolts persists, as seen in subsequent uprisings in Sudan, Algeria, Iraq, and Lebanon. The article reflects on the sense of hope and the subsequent disillusionment, the complex outcomes in different countries, and the enduring impact of the Arab Spring on the region's political consciousness.

The verdict of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri was met with disappointment by the Lebanese public. After a 15-year wait, the tribunal found one suspect, a presumed member of Hezbollah, guilty and acquitted three others without establishing a direct link to the Hezbollah leadership or Syria. The outcome was seen as anticlimactic and a poor return on the tribunal's significant cost, which is estimated to be between $600 million to one billion dollars. The Lebanese, already dealing with an economic crisis, the aftermath of the Beirut blast, and the COVID-19 pandemic, found the verdict unsatisfactory as it left fundamental questions unanswered and did not lead to any significant political tension or unrest.

Sudan's Christian minority, which suffered under the regime of Islamist general Omar al-Bashir, is hopeful for religious freedom following his downfall. The new civilian-majority administration and the transition constitution, which omits Islam as a defining characteristic of the state, have given Christians and other minorities hope for better protection of religious plurality. The inclusion of a Christian woman on the Sovereign Council and public demonstrations by Christians for equal rights are seen as positive signs. However, concerns remain due to the presence of generals associated with Bashir in the council and the enduring Islamist mentality.

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 upheaval and protests that led to the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir. The agreement, mediated by the African Union and Ethiopia, will establish a civilian-majority ruling council and a government, with elections to follow after a 39-month transitional period. Abdalla Hamdok has been nominated as prime minister, and a legislative body with at least 40 percent female representation will be formed. Concerns remain over the military's retained powers, the influence of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the absence of various rebel groups from the deal.

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.

Protest leaders in Sudan have expressed dismay over the erasure of revolutionary graffiti in Khartoum, viewing it as an attempt to suppress the spirit of the uprising that led to the ousting of Omar Al-Bashir. The Alliance for Freedom and Change, which spearheaded the protests, has called for the continuation of mural painting as an exercise of free expression. Despite a transition agreement for shared power and eventual civilian rule, some fear that the forces responsible for repression during the protests may retain power. Graffiti artist Lotfy Abdel Fattah sees the removal of the murals as a sign that the military establishment is not genuinely changing.

Nadine Labaki's film 'Capernaum' is competing for an Oscar and aims to leverage the attention it has garnered to drive real change in Lebanon. The film, which has been praised at Cannes and nominated for various international awards, portrays the harsh realities of mistreated children and marginalized individuals in Lebanon. Labaki plans to show the film to the government and organize discussions with legal professionals to initiate change. The film has already improved the lives of its protagonists, including Syrian refugee Zain Al Rafeea, who now resides in Norway with his family.

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.