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.
Iraqi youth to government: We’re not going to take it
As young Iraqis vent against their government, Iran is already positioning itself for the fallout, as its proxies hit the streets.
UN Syria envoy opens door to resolving 8½-year war
The establishment of a constitutional committee is a big step, but UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen knows he is just getting started.
Two to watch at the UN General Assembly: Turkey’s Erdogan and Iraq’s Salih
Turkish leader meets Trump ahead of safe-zone deadline; Iraqi president offers new direction for Iraq and region.
Iran sends a powerful signal to counter Iraqi nationalist trend
Iraqi populist Muqtada al-Sadr’s trip to Iran presents opportunity for the United States.
Putin can’t save Erdogan from Idlib quagmire
The Russian president ultimately sees Bashar al-Assad as the solution to Turkey’s border crisis, but is playing a long game.
Rouhani says he doesn’t want photo-op with Trump — but maybe he should
French President Emmanuel Macron, the man in the middle, is appealing to both sides for compromise.
US influence on the line if Israel has 'free hand' to bomb Iraq
Israeli attacks in Iraq signal need for some red lines with Iran.
Putin’s Gulf security plan depends on Trump
The Russian president plans to roll out his regional initiative to calm Gulf tensions next month — but are the United States and the EU ready to let Putin step up in the Gulf?
Why Egypt matters — maybe more than ever
The US-Egyptian partnership deepens in Sinai, but human rights issues won’t go away.
Tinderbox: Israeli military attacks in Iraq could complicate US strategy in Middle East
Washington may need to draw some red lines to protect its larger regional interests.
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.
