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.
US-Saudi nuclear cooperation makes sense because of China, not just Israel
The Biden administration plays the long game with China in the Middle East; prospects for a GCC gas grid; Hydrogen race is on in the Gulf.
Is Biden’s reset on Iran paying off?
Republicans say no; four benchmark dates to watch.
The missing peace between Syria and Turkey
Erdogan, Assad and the West all seem to be accepting a low-level grey zone conflict in Syria.
Biden considers raising stakes for escalation with Iran in Gulf
Iraq’s quiet may be misleading; Israel-Hezbollah tensions increase; Russia depends more on Iran than the reverse; Raisi visits Africa.
Iran should be catalyst for Israel-Saudi normalization
Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations could also give a financial and political boost to the moribund two-state solution.
Is Iran getting the Biden administration’s message on Russia?
Observers report internal debates in the Islamic Republic over supplying drones; Netanyahu racks up three invitations in one week to talk with counterparts in other nations.
US, West turn up heat on Iran over Ukraine
Also: An October benchmark for the Iran nuclear deal could turn into a showdown over Ukraine, while signaling the end of the JCPOA.
Iran’s new nuclear normal gets boost from oil exports
Also: The Islamic Republic cracks down on the hijab "conspiracy" while suffering brain drain; researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov abducted by Iraqi militia.
Putin’s Syria policy hangs on amid Russian crackdown on Wagner
Israeli-Saudi normalization linked to Netanyahu White House visit; Israel’s booming arms exports; Turkey-Sweden ties strained ahead of NATO summit; would an 'informal' Iran deal require congressional review?
Macron, MBS see future in French-Saudi partnership
Saudi crown prince spends an action-packed week in Paris, including Global Financing Summit; Gulf eyes greater share of crypto market; is Netanyahu losing control?; why Jenin and Nablus remain hotbeds of Palestinian resistance.
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.
