Analysis How China could complicate Trump's Middle East calculus From Iran to Yemen, China could derail Trump’s efforts to rein Tehran, punish the Houthis and promote American manufacturing. By Joyce Karam In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East
Al-Monitor Istanbul: Identity, belonging and the search for home We take a thematic turn in this week’s newsletter, delving into migration, belonging and the idea of feeling at home. Turkey
Al-Monitor Dubai: Emirates Literature Festival returns Syrian-American journalist Hala Gorani will join the festival next week to discuss her memoir, “But You Don’t Look Arab.” United Arab Emirates
‘People are anxious’: USAID staff rattled by Trump's foreign aid freeze Humanitarian organizations were bracing for foreign aid cuts but were taken aback when President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order pausing assistance for the next 90 days. United States
PKK leader airs cautious optimism after talks with Turkey's pro-Kurdish party The Kurdish militant leader expressed hope for a peaceful solution to the country’s 40-year armed conflict after four-hour talks with the pro-Kurdish party. Turkey
Al-Monitor Doha: Syrian Symphony arrives Syrian voices bring Doha to life this week with pianist and composer Malek Jandali's Syrian Symphony and singer Assala Nasri’s soulful tunes. Qatar
WEF: Arab businesses ‘very keen’ to invest in Syria after Assad’s ouster Syria's new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, attended the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this week, along with over 50 heads of state and hundreds of business moguls. Syria
Exclusive Global renewables surge forward despite Trump’s climate reversals, says IRENA chief Although Gulf countries are still heavily reliant on oil and gas, they are quickly moving toward a greener system, International Renewable Energy Agency head Francesco La Camera told Al-Monitor. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Al-Arabiya journalist questioned in Lebanon for interviewing Israeli official The case of Layal al-Ekhtiar, who interviewed Israel's Arabic-language military spokesman last year as the Gaza war raged, has divided Lebanese political opinion. Lebanon
