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.
White House provides lifeline to US ties with Turkey and Saudi Arabia
Turkish and Saudi leaders look to Trump to prevent relations with the United States from going bad to worse.
As chaos and violence consume Iraq, US keeps focus on deterring Iran
The Trump administration’s realism is well suited to the crisis in Iraq, with a clear red line on keeping out Iranian missiles.
Despite stepped-up military actions, Turkey still faces jihadi threats
Ankara’s past haphazard policies complicate crackdown on IS; Iran hard-liners gain from protests; Syrian Kurds may not give up sales of Syrian oil to Damascus.
Welcome to the beginning of the end of Iraq's post-Saddam era
For Iraq’s youth, it’s been a failure.
Against odds, Netanyahu revives his fortunes
The Israeli prime minister takes out a terrorist foe, puts Iran’s Soleimani on notice and effectively sinks rival’s chances to form a new government — not a bad week.
Can Trump, Erdogan pick up the pieces in Syria?
Putin gains from the fallout in US-Turkey ties and the Kurds are still counting on US influence with Ankara.
Iran not letting Iraq go without a fight
Iraqi protesters have had enough of Iran’s heavy hand, but don’t expect the Iranians to pack up and go home.
How Lebanon is setting the standard for a new social contract in the Middle East
Sectarianism gives way to economics and governance.
Iraq on low boil in anticipation of renewed protests
The crisis in Syria has only made Iraq’s problems worse.
Why Egypt’s economic reforms aren’t enough to win over the street
A new report shows significant progress in Egypt, but demonstrations are placing new pressures on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to do more to battle corruption.
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.
