From Sudan to Yemen and Gaza, Middle East wars top the list of conflicts to watch in 2026, report says

The International Crisis Group's 2026 "Conflicts to Watch" report predicts another bloody year, highlighting critical hotspots in the Middle East. The report lists Israel-Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and Sudan as areas where diplomatic efforts are tenuous or immaterial. It also critiques a hypothetical Donald Trump presidency, arguing that while his peacemaking efforts are unorthodox, they are rushed, inconclusive, and have not calmed global turmoil. The analysis suggests Trump's cavalier use of force and revisionism risk normalizing war as an acceptable tool for powerful states.