The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to reshape political and social dynamics across the Middle East, and beyond. As the war enters its third year, analysis from the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP) reveals a complex web of interconnected issues, from the weaponization of aid and energy to the evolving role of regional actors and the lasting impact on Palestinian society. A review of MERIP’s ten most-read articles of 2025 highlights the critical insights the organization has provided into these unfolding events, offering a nuanced understanding of a rapidly changing landscape.
At the forefront of this analysis is the devastating human cost of the conflict. MERIP’s most-viewed article of the year, “Israel’s War on Reproduction in Gaza” by Hala Shoman, details what many observers have termed “reproicide”—the deliberate targeting of reproductive capacity as a tactic of war. Shoman’s reporting underscores the long-term implications of the conflict, extending beyond immediate casualties to the very future of Palestinian demographics. This article serves as a stark reminder of the multifaceted nature of the crisis and the profound impact on generations to come.
The Digital Frontlines and Shifting Power Dynamics
Beyond the immediate devastation in Gaza, MERIP’s reporting illuminates the ways in which technology and infrastructure are being leveraged – and contested – in the broader regional struggle. Samer Abboud’s special report, “Artificial Humanitarianism–The Data-Driven Future of Refugee Responses,” published in MERIP’s Resistance–The Axis and Beyond issue, examines the increasing reliance on biometric data in managing refugee populations. The report traces the evolution of this practice, beginning with its pilot program at Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp over a decade ago, and its subsequent expansion across the region and globally. This data collection, Abboud argues, fundamentally alters the nature of humanitarian aid and raises critical questions about privacy and control.
The conflict’s reach extends to the internal dynamics of neighboring countries. Rahaf Aldoughli’s article, “Syria’s New Men,” offers a rare on-the-ground perspective following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Aldoughli, returning to Syria after more than a decade in exile, provides initial observations on the shifting depictions of masculinity under the new government led by Ahmad Al Sharaa, highlighting the continuities and changes in Syrian society after years of conflict. This piece offers a crucial glimpse into the social and cultural consequences of prolonged political upheaval.
Regional Actors and the Infrastructure of Conflict
The war in Gaza has also brought renewed attention to the role of non-state actors and the complex interplay of regional alliances. Helen Lackner’s analysis of Yemen’s Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, provides a valuable overview of their history and motivations, particularly in relation to their support for Palestinian resistance. Lackner’s work, supplemented by a September podcast interview with James Ryan, clarifies the Houthis’ positionality within the broader conflict and their impact on maritime security in the Red Sea. The podcast interview provides further context to her analysis.
Underlying the conflict is a deliberate control of essential resources. Zachary Cuyler’s essay, “Power Struggles–Energy as a Weapon of War, Domination and Resistance in Palestine,” details Israel’s long-standing practice of regulating electricity access in Gaza as a tool of colonial domination. This control, Cuyler argues, is not a recent development but a deeply ingrained aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, demonstrating how basic necessities can be weaponized in the pursuit of political objectives.
Normalization and its Consequences
The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, continue to be a focal point of debate and analysis. Bayan Abubakr’s article, “The Abraham Accords and Sudan’s Global Counterrevolution,” examines the complex political dynamics surrounding Sudan’s initial participation in the Accords and the subsequent impact of the 2021 coup d’etat. Abubakr argues that the Accords represent a broader trend of authoritarian consolidation in the region, facilitated by political bargains and economic incentives.
Rafeef Ziadah’s lead article in MERIP’s Summer/Fall double issue, “Hardwiring Normalization–Infrastructures, Extraction and Gaza’s Future,” provides a comprehensive overview of the infrastructural underpinnings of normalization and its implications for the future reconstruction of Gaza. Ziadah’s analysis highlights the ways in which normalization is being embedded into the physical and economic landscape of the region, potentially shaping the terms of any future peace agreement.
Tariq Dana’s piece, “The Military-Industrial Backbone of Normalization,” further illuminates this dynamic, focusing on the role of arms deals in enabling the destruction in Gaza. Dana details how the trade in military technology between Abraham Accords countries contributed to the conditions that allowed for the scale of devastation witnessed in Gaza, and the relative silence from many Arab states.
Culture, Memory, and Connectivity
MERIP’s coverage also extends to the cultural and historical dimensions of the conflict. Lori Allen’s review of Annemarie Jacir’s film, “Palestine 36,” highlights the film’s powerful depiction of the 1936 Arab Revolt and its visceral portrayal of the impact of colonialism on Palestinian lives. The film, an Oscar hopeful for 2026, serves as a reminder of the long history of Palestinian resistance and the enduring struggle for self-determination.
Finally, Ned Leadbeater’s article, “Fiber Optics and the Hidden Politics of Connectivity,” reveals the often-overlooked role of digital infrastructure in the conflict. The February 2024 incident involving Houthi missiles severing critical fiber optic cables, cutting off 25% of internet traffic between Europe and Asia, brought the vulnerability of global connectivity into sharp focus. Leadbeater’s analysis, further explored in a recent podcast episode, demonstrates how the geography of normalization impacts the world’s digital networks.
As the conflict continues, MERIP’s reporting provides essential context and analysis for understanding the complex dynamics at play. The organization’s commitment to in-depth research and nuanced perspectives offers a critical counterpoint to mainstream narratives, fostering a more informed and comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing the region. Looking ahead, the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Gaza, the evolving political landscape in Syria, and the continued tensions surrounding the Abraham Accords will undoubtedly remain central to the future of the Middle East.
Share your thoughts on these critical issues in the comments below.
