A Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023 begins a war in the Gaza Strip, causing very heavy casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis.
Opposition forces led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham enter Damascus; Bashar al-Assad leaves Syria, ending over 50 years of Assad family rule.
Israel signs US-brokered agreements normalising relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The Islamic State group proclaims a 'caliphate' over territory seized in Iraq and Syria; it loses nearly all of it by 2017–2019.
Mass protests centred on Tahrir Square force President Hosni Mubarak to resign after nearly 30 years in power.
Protests against Bashar al-Assad's government are suppressed and escalate into a multi-sided civil war, causing a major refugee crisis.
The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi sparks protests that force President Ben Ali to flee, spreading into the Arab Spring.