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.
Biden should respond to Iran with more than military strikes
The United States could reset the terms of engagement with Iran ahead of a Gaza cease-fire.
Iran says it won’t interfere in Lebanon-Israel border talks
Tehran will still need to sign off on deal if it happens; Iran and Sudan; Netanyahu is a prisoner of hostage talks; US rethinks its force posture in Syria and Iraq; and a US envoy says Israel must be ‘absolutely sure’ in Gaza military operations.
From Davos, all roads lead to the Middle East
At the World Economic Forum, Al-Monitor interviewed regional decision-makers on economics, energy, environment, governance and conflict across the region.
Middle East hopes to weather storm before the calm
Biden administration presses ahead with planning for "day after” Israel-Hamas war; Iran reaps dividends on penny stock Houthi investment.
Israel-Hamas war gets personal for Iran
Targeted killings in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria cause Iran to rethink escalatory options.
US, Arab partners raise the stakes for Israel in post-war Gaza
A Palestinian state may again be the price for Saudi normalization.
Does Hamas have a future after Gaza war?
Also: Qatar’s outsized diplomacy and we need to talk about Iran.
US senator calls for holding Israel accountable if it doesn’t limit civilian casualties
In an interview with Al-Monitor, US Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat from Maryland, says Biden should go over Netanyahu’s head, speak directly to Israeli people about post-conflict vision.
Fear shouldn’t overtake rationality in approach to artificial intelligence, says UAE AI minister
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, UAE AI Minister Omar Sultan Al Olama discusses how states should govern the technology and whether fears about machine intelligence are founded.
Not your parents’ Israeli-Palestinian conflict
A new generation has found connection and solidarity in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war.
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.
