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 changes conversation on Syria with cease-fire plan
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the de-escalation zones are linked to US safe zone discussions.
Erdogan tests Trump with attack on Syrian Kurds
US-Turkey relations sink further following airstrikes; Russia’s expanding military presence in Syria.
Does Erdogan expect Trump to ditch Syrian Kurds?
US and Turkish presidents talk, agree to meeting in Washington; Saudi-Iraqi ties hit Iranian ceiling; Turkey sees al-Bab as safe haven for displaced Syrians.
Assad’s departure still non-starter for Putin
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comment on "orderly" transition could offer a face-saving spark for Syria political talks; Hezbollah’s No. 2 disavows "ambitions" in Syria; did Iran benefit from US missile strike? Sistani seeks restraints on Iraqi armed groups looking to fight in Syria.
After US missile strikes, can Tillerson find common ground with Russia in Syria?
US strategy to defeat Islamic State in play as secretary of state heads to Moscow and UN secretary-general calls for restraint.
Did the US, Turkey reach understanding on Assad?
Turkey declares an end to Syrian military intervention; alarm over possible US military support to Gulf coalition in Yemen war.
Idlib — more than Raqqa — may be decisive Syria fault line
Russian-Turkish agreement under strain in key northern city.
Israel weighs response to Hezbollah rocket threat
For now, deterrence holds on Israel’s northern border; Iran ready to "fight to the last man" in Syria; Why does Erdogan go easy on Putin over Syrian Kurds?
Putin gets some payback with 'alternative project' for Libya
Why Putin backs Hifter; Barzani’s Sinjar dilemma; Israel’s missing Gaza policy; GCC moves to the margins on Syria.
Could Turkey’s misstep in Manbij provide template for Raqqa?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest threat complicates Pentagon planning to oust the Islamic State from its so-called capital; United States provides intelligence for Iraqi strike in Syria.
Iran, misreading Trump’s resolve, escalates conflict in Yemen ahead of US midterms
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Trump links Iran to the war on terror, vowing it will “never, ever have a nuclear weapon.”
Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks
Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor.
Trump’s strategy on Iran may be paying off
Through far-sighted diplomacy and a durable new regional architecture, Trump has cornered Iran between alignment and atrophy.
Iran-linked militias seek to draw Iraq into regional war
“Iran’s logic is the logic of war,” a Gulf regional official tells Al-Monitor.
