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.
Shadow war: Egypt and Iran battle for influence in Gaza
It looks like Khamenei and Hamas leaders agree on everything ... but is the reality more or less than meets the eye? Iran gains traction even with the PA; Egypt looks to take the diplomatic lead; closing the Iranian margins.
While the world focuses on Iran, a tragedy is ‘unfolding before our eyes’ in Idlib
Trump asks Putin to protect Idlib; Putin seeks options to capitalize on impasse in Syria safe zone talks; Russia wins on S-400 sale to Turkey.
Traps abound as Iraq charts independent course based on ‘national vision’
Iraq's new foreign policy vision promotes noninterference and economic integration; Turkey's bombing of PKK sites in Iraq's Qandil Mountains tests Baghdad's resolve.
Anniversary of Iran Air 655 tragedy offers lessons for US-Iran diplomacy today
Iran Air 655’s bitter legacy; Iraq as front line; Iran should talk … but it needs off-ramps.
The Art of the Deal: Trump turns to Putin on Iran
‘A diplomatic way out’; Iran’s patience runs out; Trump has ‘all the time in the world’; Oil for Food 2.0?; Iraq, Afghanistan and prisoners: Steps in the right direction?
The Other Big Story: With world’s eyes on Iran, Putin moves to avert conflict between Turkey and Syria
A "disaster unfolding" in Idlib; for now, Putin has Assad’s back; exhausted Syrian Army seeks to take the highways; eyes on Osaka.
Erdogan seeks lifeline from Trump to salvage US-Turkey ties
It will take Donald Trump to close a deal with Turkey on a Syrian "safe zone."
Beneath tough exterior, Putin may be ready to deal on Iran
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to hold all the cards in the region, but is Moscow ready to show its hand?
Why Khamenei’s 'no' on talks with US could lead to 'yes'
Expect chatter of Iran-US dialog to pick up in the coming weeks, even though Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says he adamantly refuses to negotiate with the Trump administration.
Iran vs. US: From Talk of War to Talk of Talk
Trump repeats his offer of talks with Iran, but Iran is not interested.
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.
