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.
Biden visit to Israel a ‘mixed bag’ because of differences on Iran
Meeting between US and Palestinian presidents described as ‘warm’; UAE opts out of anti-Iran alliance; Biden agenda may include Saudi-American families banned from traveling.
Ahead of Biden Mideast trip, Iran nuclear deal looms large
US president to blend diplomacy and deterrence in approach to Iran, region.
Not so fast: Erdogan still holds cards on NATO bids by Sweden, Finland
If conditions are not met, Turkey's president says it is "out of the question" that the Turkish parliament will take up Sweden and Finland's NATO membership issue; avoiding a further US-Turkish meltdown; is Syria invasion on hold?
Don’t write off the Iran nuclear deal just yet
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi still wants and needs the JCPOA more than Biden.
Biden approach to Saudi Arabia echoes Bush’s China policy after Tiananmen Square
Also: Washington and Riyadh seek to break Sudan deadlock; Syrian factions unite against Turkey.
Does Erdogan have a green light from Russia to move into Syria?
The US and Iran oppose the planned Turkish operation, as Erdogan digs in further on Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids, and warns Greece on the Aegean Islands.
Erdogan: Sweden, Finland need to ‘act accordingly’ toward Kurdish groups for approval on NATO bids
The Turkish president repeated these points while announcing another military operation into Syria.
Biden didn’t go to Turkey, and things aren’t okay with Erdogan
The Turkish president announces plans for another invasion of Syria, while digging in on rejecting admitting Sweden and Finland to NATO.
Erdogan’s high price for Sweden, Finland joining NATO
The Turkish president senses an opportunity to finally settle scores regarding perceived previous slights by NATO powers.
Israel-Palestinian conflict back at center of Middle East agenda
The confrontations at Jerusalem’s holy sites, recent terror attacks inside Israel, the killing of Al Jazeera Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a dire Palestnian economy and a more assertive Hamas have put the Palestinian question back at the core of the region’s many issues.
Iran, misreading Trump’s resolve, escalates conflict in Yemen ahead of US midterms
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Trump links Iran to the war on terror, vowing it will “never, ever have a nuclear weapon.”
Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks
Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor.
Trump’s strategy on Iran may be paying off
Through far-sighted diplomacy and a durable new regional architecture, Trump has cornered Iran between alignment and atrophy.
Iran-linked militias seek to draw Iraq into regional war
“Iran’s logic is the logic of war,” a Gulf regional official tells Al-Monitor.
