Week in Review

Since 2012, the Week in Review keeps you ahead of the curve with in-depth analysis of the trends in the region, based on Al-Monitor’s world class reporting.

Erdogan’s latest threats in Syria test limits with Biden, Putin

The Turkish president’s warnings are targeted as much at Washington and Moscow as they are at Syria’s Kurds.

Week in Review | Turkey | Oct 15, 2021

Turkish and Russian military vehicles patrol in the countryside of Rumaylan (Rmeilan) in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province near the Turkish border on Sept. 16, 2021.

Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain

US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election.

Week in Review | Iran | Oct 8, 2021

Is US-Turkey alliance at a breaking point?

After meeting with Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slams US (again), but ties between Turkey and Russia have their own strains and limits.

Week in Review | Turkey | Oct 1, 2021

Sisi warns of ‘grave threat’ from Ethiopia over Nile dispute

Egypt in focus: The Nile and Climate Change; Blinken and Shoukry talk civil rights; Sex ed from "Mother Being;" Atheists, and sharks attacks…in less than 1000 words!

Week in Review | Egypt | Sep 25, 2021

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi is seen on video screens as he addresses the annual gathering in New York City for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sept. 21, 2021 in New York City.

Turkey faces gathering storm in Syria

Erdogan’s choices limited as Russian-backed Syrian forces increase attacks, weigh final assault on Idlib

Week in Review | Sep 17, 2021

Jailbreak unites Palestinians, confounds Israelis

And: required reading to understand the last two decades in the Middle East: the 'Axis of Evil' speech

Week in Review | Israel | Sep 10, 2021

Arab Israeli protesters lift Palestinian flags and spoons, reportedly the digging tool used by six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from Israel's Gilboa prison, as they demonstrate in the mostly Arab city of Umm al-Fahm in northern Israel, on Sept. 10, 2021, to denounce punitive measures taken by the Israel Prison Service against Palestinian prisoners following the jailbreak.

Boxed in: Bennett, Abbas can’t win despite ‘goodwill gestures’

Domestic politics are complicating any moves toward better ties, and Hamas is seeking an advantage by stoking resistance.

Week in Review | Israel | Sep 3, 2021

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett looks on during a plenum session on the state budget on Sept. 2, 2021.

Are Syrian jihadis ready to take the fight to Afghanistan?

Afghanistan revives terror challenges for Washington; Russia anticipates security vacuum; Erdogan senses an opportunity.

Week in Review | Syria | Aug 27, 2021

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria celebrates Taliban's declared "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan"

Will the Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan?

Afghanistan's economy is hanging by a thread; Iran makes the best of the Taliban; the "resistance" finds inspiration; five must reads on Afghanistan.

Week in Review | Iran | Aug 20, 2021

Israel's coalition government holds to center

Two months in, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid remain both partners and rivals as the new government passes a budget, grapples with COVID-19 and Iran and seeks to strengthen already warm ties with the Biden administration.

Week in Review | Israel | Aug 13, 2021

Raisi ready to support ‘any diplomatic plan’ that lifts sanctions on Iran

Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister is ready to "send a message" to Iran in response to drone attack on Israeli-managed ship that killed two.

Week in Review | Iran | Aug 6, 2021

Middle East economic outlook hinges on vaccinations

Five countries to watch: Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Oman.

Week in Review | Egypt | Jul 30, 2021

A nurse stands by the CIRA-03 robot prototype built as part of a self-funded project to assist physicians in running tests on suspected COVID-19 coronavirus patients.

How water has become a flashpoint in the Middle East

Al-Monitor reporting shows the increased risks and relevance of water security for Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia; Iran and Iraq; and Israel and Jordan.

Week in Review | Egypt | Jul 23, 2021

Muweis canal of Nile River in northern Egypt

Whither the Iran nuclear deal? Ask Raisi

Rouhani has transfered JCPOA file to Iran’s new hard-line president, who just might close the deal.

Week in Review | Iran | Jul 16, 2021

Egypt to Security Council: Ethiopian dam an ‘existential threat’

Foreign minister says potential disruptions from dam could be like a "malignant plague" for Egypt.

Week in Review | Egypt | Jul 9, 2021

Week in Review

Erdogan’s latest threats in Syria test limits with Biden, Putin

The Turkish president’s warnings are targeted as much at Washington and Moscow as they are at Syria’s Kurds.

Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain

Is US-Turkey alliance at a breaking point?

Sisi warns of ‘grave threat’ from Ethiopia over Nile dispute

Turkey faces gathering storm in Syria

Jailbreak unites Palestinians, confounds Israelis

Boxed in: Bennett, Abbas can’t win despite ‘goodwill gestures’

Are Syrian jihadis ready to take the fight to Afghanistan?

Will the Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan?

Israel's coalition government holds to center

Raisi ready to support ‘any diplomatic plan’ that lifts sanctions on Iran

Middle East economic outlook hinges on vaccinations

How water has become a flashpoint in the Middle East

Whither the Iran nuclear deal? Ask Raisi

Egypt to Security Council: Ethiopian dam an ‘existential threat’

Popular Articles

Scientists reconstruct facial features of 2,000-year-old mummies

Turkey requests to buy 40 US F-16 fighter planes

Israel still fears US approach to Iran

Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal

Palestinian video game strikes Israel’s nerve

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Welcome to Reading the Middle East with Gilles Kepel