Middle East & Central Asia News
LAST UPDATE: September 2, 2025
IMF plans to conduct fifth & sixth review of Egypt’s loan program this month
A merged IMF mission will review Egypt’s $8 billion loan program (5th and 6th reviews combined) this month, giving Egypt more time for reforms.
Insight
The combined reviews signal cautious IMF support and flexibility amid reform delays.
Syria Ships First Oil Cargo in Years After Trump Ended Sanctions
Syria exported 600,000 barrels of heavy crude—the first oil shipment in years—after U.S. sanctions were lifted.
Insight
The return of exports marks a pivotal moment for Syria’s economy and regime, providing much-needed revenue.
Afghan earthquake toll crosses 1,100, aid group says
A magnitude-6 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed over 1,100 people and injured more than 3,200, devastating remote villages.
Insight
The high death toll underscores Afghanistan’s acute vulnerabilities, especially in mountainous, hard-to-reach regions.
More than 1,000 killed as landslide wipes out Sudanese village
A landslide destroyed the village of Tarseen in Darfur’s Marrah Mountains, killing over 1,000 people.
Insight
The disaster reveals the deadly impact of climate-related events and fragile disaster preparedness in conflict-affected regions.
