Analysis
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.
AI played 'big role' in approach to pandemic, says UAE artificial intelligence minister
Omar Al Olama, the UAE’s AI Minister, explains how COVID-19 has been an accelerator for AI applications; why the US and China would benefit from a ‘constant dialogue’ on AI; and why ‘the new roads that we need to be building right now are roads in the digital realm.’
Mansour Abbas’s star turn rattles Israeli politics
Also: Syrian Kurdish leader not worried — yet — about Turkish invasion (exclusive).
Egypt, UAE play essential role in containing Sudan-Ethiopia crises
US fears state collapse, regional spillover in Horn of Africa.
Familiar problems for Biden in Israel
The US is concerned about Israeli settlement policies, recent actions toward the Palestinians, and trade with China, but these issues are more likely to blow over than blow up.
With Nile talks stalled, Ethiopia plans to fill dam, buy Turkish drones
Meanwhile, Sudan’s democratic transition faces ‘worst and most dangerous’ crisis.
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
US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election.
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.
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!
Turkey faces gathering storm in Syria
Erdogan’s choices limited as Russian-backed Syrian forces increase attacks, weigh final assault on Idlib
Zaidi’s test in Tehran
Less than 24 hours after Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi returned from Tehran on Thursday, Iraqi Kurdistan again came under attack.
Five explosive drones were intercepted over Erbil by US-led coalition air defenses, triggering explosions and smoke near the airport that hosts coalition forces and sits adjacent to the US consulate. While Iraq’s Kurdistan region is no stranger to attacks by Iran and its proxies, the timing was hard to ignore. For Tehran, despite the arrival of a new Iraqi prime minister promising a different path, it appears to be business as usual.
US banking on Iraqi turnaround with nomination of Zaidi as new PM
Trump signals hope for a "tremendous new chapter” in US-Iraq ties with the nomination of Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister.
Iraq's Sudani: US troop withdrawal does not mean end of security relationship
At an event hosted by Al-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.
Netanyahu, regional leaders hedge on possible Trump win in November
The Israeli prime minister is under pressure to deliver on a cease-fire during his Washington visit next week; Biden can’t heal Democrat divisions over Israel and the Gaza war.
