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.
Putin’s next act: Syrian-Turkish rapprochement
The Russian president still needs the United States to keep the pace, and the peace, in Syria.
Trump buries the hatchet with Erdogan over Syria
The US troop withdrawal could also lead to a return of the 'art of the deal' with Putin.
Hamas goes on offense in West Bank
Palestinian protests continue in Ramallah over Israeli incursions.
Does the US want a war with Iran over Syria?
Despite Trump’s initial caution about an indefinite military commitment, the risks of the United States getting drawn into the Syria conflict are growing.
US sanctions unlikely to crack Iran’s support for Syria
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have perfected low-budget warfare; Putin draws his own red line with Israel and Iran; Erdogan’s zero-sum approach to Syrian Kurds.
USAID money diverted to Syrian terrorist group
"Numerous instances" of diversion reported by US watchdog agency; US sanctions between Iraq and a hard place.
Erdogan vows to crush US allies in Syria
The Turkish president weighs military options to defeat what he calls a “terror outfit” in Syria.
Putin pivots to Europe for next play on Syria
Russian president intensifies diplomatic push; Erdogan goes "big" to leverage the Khashoggi murder with the Trump administration; Oman emerges as Israeli-Palestinian broker.
Is Bibi’s restraint on Gaza a sea change, or last act before war?
Israeli prime minister, for now, claims “no interest” in toppling Hamas.
Hariri turns witness for MBS defense
Crowd laughs at Saudi crown prince’s joke about Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s captivity; Can Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold the moral high ground in Jamal Khashoggi case?
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.
