nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across MENA: possible war on the Red Sea, Egypt’s “tables of mercy,” and a spotlight on Bahrain’s cultural history. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
On 14 March 2025, the vice president of the Tigray (a regional state in Ethiopia) interim administration warned that Ethiopia and Eritrea could be on the brink of war. Vice President General Tsadkan Gebretensae made this declaration during a press conference, where he voiced his concern “that the Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they don’t believe in.”
However, on 20 March, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sought to address concerns, vowing that Ethiopia has no intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea. Instead, the prime minister shared that Ethiopia planned on having peaceful dialogues about access to the Red Sea with Eritrea, though Eritrean officials have expressed concern Ethiopia plans to encroach on Eritrea’s sovereign space. Furthermore, on 27 March, the International Crisis Group published its concerns that the two countries were indeed headed toward war.
Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence by annexing Ethiopia. Since then, the countries had a border conflict that resulted in a two–year war in 1998. After 2000, the two countries remained “formally at war” until 2018, although there have been lingering tensions between them.
The tensions escalated in 2022 with the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, in which Ethiopia’s federal government and the leaders of Tigray signed a deal brokered by the African Union. Signing the agreement brought peace after a two–year war caused by the Ethiopian government’s treatment of Tigray. During the war, Eritrean troops fought alongside Ethiopia’s federal army, and analysts believe the tensions escalated from the lack of Eritrean involvement in the agreement.
Egypt’s “tables of mercy” epitomize community resilience
The Egyptian Ramadan tradition of “tables of mercy” began in the ninth century, C.E., and has continued to the present day. In an era of societal fragmentation, this tradition illustrates the resilience and support that can be found in community. The tradition began with Ahmed bin Toulon, the then–Egyptian ruler, preparing a meal for merchants on the first day of Ramadan before instructing them to repeat this gesture for the poor. The tradition has grown over the years, spearheaded in modern times by volunteer efforts, and has become even more meaningful as Egypt has suffered financial hardships and not everyone can afford food.
One such table of mercy is run by volunteers who began organizing in 2020 when hardships from the Covid pandemic meant there wasn’t enough support to feed the hungry celebrating Ramadan. Around 15 volunteers regularly run this table, although many other volunteers show up to work whenever possible. The head of this volunteer group is a chef who works at other volunteer kitchens during the rest of the year.
Everyone is welcome to sit at the tables and eat as a community, although due to economic difficulties, everyone is limited to only one food box. The dinners primarily consist of water, a date, rice, potatoes, and chicken, although sometimes neighborhood volunteers donate other food.
In 2010, there were fears that government regulations and economic hardships might end the tradition. Still, tables of mercy continue, demonstrating the profound impact supporting one another can have.
Bahrain’s second World Heritage Site melds history with modernity
The upcoming The World Around Summit 2025 takes place on 27 April and will bring together talented architects worldwide. Dutch architect Anne Holtrop will discuss his work on the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s The Pearling Path at this year's summit.
“Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy” is the second World Heritage Site in the Kingdom of Bahrain and details the country’s cultural heritage of pearling. The Pearling Path specifically is an approximately 3.5–kilometer path that features community spaces and 17 buildings, some of which have been preserved and others renovated by especially creative architects. The sprawling pathway landed on Time’s list of the “World’s Greatest Places 2024” for its delicate balance of modernity and historical preservation. For instance, Anne Holtrop’s contributions include The Qaisariah Souq, a transformation of the building in which pearl–purchase deals occurred, and the Siyadi Pearl Museum, both of which highlight the rich history of the pearling industry.
In addition to the buildings, vacant spaces along the path have also been converted into comfortable and beautiful public spaces by planting trees, special concrete that incorporates pearls, and pipe systems to cool down the space. The inclusion of these public spaces has appealed not only to visitors but also to the local population who regularly use the spaces for different festivals and events. Recently, in December 2024, the Muharrag Nights festival occurred on The Pearling Path, as it has for several years, melding modern–day Bahrain with its history.
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Are Ethiopia and Eritrea on the brink of war?
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo by Sintayehu Arega on Unsplash
April 11, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you three under–the–radar stories from the Middle East and North Africa: fears of further conflict over the Red Sea, Egypt’s “tables of mercy,” and a spotlight on Bahrain’s cultural history.
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nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across MENA: possible war on the Red Sea, Egypt’s “tables of mercy,” and a spotlight on Bahrain’s cultural history. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
On 14 March 2025, the vice president of the Tigray (a regional state in Ethiopia) interim administration warned that Ethiopia and Eritrea could be on the brink of war. Vice President General Tsadkan Gebretensae made this declaration during a press conference, where he voiced his concern “that the Tigray people may once again become victims of a war they don’t believe in.”
However, on 20 March, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sought to address concerns, vowing that Ethiopia has no intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea. Instead, the prime minister shared that Ethiopia planned on having peaceful dialogues about access to the Red Sea with Eritrea, though Eritrean officials have expressed concern Ethiopia plans to encroach on Eritrea’s sovereign space. Furthermore, on 27 March, the International Crisis Group published its concerns that the two countries were indeed headed toward war.
Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence by annexing Ethiopia. Since then, the countries had a border conflict that resulted in a two–year war in 1998. After 2000, the two countries remained “formally at war” until 2018, although there have been lingering tensions between them.
The tensions escalated in 2022 with the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, in which Ethiopia’s federal government and the leaders of Tigray signed a deal brokered by the African Union. Signing the agreement brought peace after a two–year war caused by the Ethiopian government’s treatment of Tigray. During the war, Eritrean troops fought alongside Ethiopia’s federal army, and analysts believe the tensions escalated from the lack of Eritrean involvement in the agreement.
Egypt’s “tables of mercy” epitomize community resilience
The Egyptian Ramadan tradition of “tables of mercy” began in the ninth century, C.E., and has continued to the present day. In an era of societal fragmentation, this tradition illustrates the resilience and support that can be found in community. The tradition began with Ahmed bin Toulon, the then–Egyptian ruler, preparing a meal for merchants on the first day of Ramadan before instructing them to repeat this gesture for the poor. The tradition has grown over the years, spearheaded in modern times by volunteer efforts, and has become even more meaningful as Egypt has suffered financial hardships and not everyone can afford food.
One such table of mercy is run by volunteers who began organizing in 2020 when hardships from the Covid pandemic meant there wasn’t enough support to feed the hungry celebrating Ramadan. Around 15 volunteers regularly run this table, although many other volunteers show up to work whenever possible. The head of this volunteer group is a chef who works at other volunteer kitchens during the rest of the year.
Everyone is welcome to sit at the tables and eat as a community, although due to economic difficulties, everyone is limited to only one food box. The dinners primarily consist of water, a date, rice, potatoes, and chicken, although sometimes neighborhood volunteers donate other food.
In 2010, there were fears that government regulations and economic hardships might end the tradition. Still, tables of mercy continue, demonstrating the profound impact supporting one another can have.
Bahrain’s second World Heritage Site melds history with modernity
The upcoming The World Around Summit 2025 takes place on 27 April and will bring together talented architects worldwide. Dutch architect Anne Holtrop will discuss his work on the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s The Pearling Path at this year's summit.
“Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy” is the second World Heritage Site in the Kingdom of Bahrain and details the country’s cultural heritage of pearling. The Pearling Path specifically is an approximately 3.5–kilometer path that features community spaces and 17 buildings, some of which have been preserved and others renovated by especially creative architects. The sprawling pathway landed on Time’s list of the “World’s Greatest Places 2024” for its delicate balance of modernity and historical preservation. For instance, Anne Holtrop’s contributions include The Qaisariah Souq, a transformation of the building in which pearl–purchase deals occurred, and the Siyadi Pearl Museum, both of which highlight the rich history of the pearling industry.
In addition to the buildings, vacant spaces along the path have also been converted into comfortable and beautiful public spaces by planting trees, special concrete that incorporates pearls, and pipe systems to cool down the space. The inclusion of these public spaces has appealed not only to visitors but also to the local population who regularly use the spaces for different festivals and events. Recently, in December 2024, the Muharrag Nights festival occurred on The Pearling Path, as it has for several years, melding modern–day Bahrain with its history.
