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.
Biden-Netanyahu spat more play to electorates than showdown over Gaza
The dispute won't shake 'ironclad' US support for Israel.
![BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-03/GettyImages-1730515787.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=xaEb5zNp)
Van Hollen: Israeli restrictions on Gaza aid 'not currently in compliance' with US policy
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he is concerned about the US getting drawn into planning of Israeli military operation in Rafah.
![US Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) questions Treasury Undersecretary For Domestic Finance Nellie Liang as she testifies before the Senate Banking Committee Feb. 15, 2022 in Washington, DC.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-03/GettyImages-1370731037.jpg?h=3c7c14d6&itok=AxtZBwG4)
Netanyahu holds firm, for now, against Biden pressure
Flashback to Ronald Reagan’s ‘come to Jesus’ talk with Menachem Begin; our reporting from Jerusalem, Rafah, Ramallah, Amman and Washington.
![US President Joe Biden meets with Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in Tel Aviv on Oct. 18, 2023.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-03/GettyImages-1730515132%20copy.jpeg?h=a5ae579a&itok=vAgjWeC9)
Biden administration backs ‘resilient’ Iraqi Kurdistan Region
Visit of Iraqi Kurdistan PM Barzani to Washington a message to Baghdad and Iran.
![US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center left) meets with KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Feb. 29, 2024.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-03/blinkenbarzani.jpeg?h=a5ae579a&itok=ijmGa8Rl)
As Hamas loosens its terms, can Biden pull Netanyahu toward deal?
Israel and Hamas appear to be narrowing on terms for a temporary cease-fire and prisoner exchange.
![Biden](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-02/GettyImages-2022943068_0.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=2u1wg_5Y)
Biden inches Netanyahu toward pause in Israel-Hamas war
Israeli PM protects right flank, but needs return of Israelis held in Gaza.
![US President Joe Biden (L), sits with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the start of the Israeli war cabinet meeting, in Tel Aviv on Oct. 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-02/GettyImages-1731162446.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Pv961t3c)
Blinken’s cease-fire shuttle diplomacy crashes in Israel
ICYMI, Netanyahu has no interest in pausing war.
![US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot (R) and former Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz in Tel Aviv on Feb. 8, 2024.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-02/GettyImages-1986239152%20copy.jpeg?h=a5ae579a&itok=y1hwpY3o)
Biden should respond to Iran with more than military strikes
The United States could reset the terms of engagement with Iran ahead of a Gaza cease-fire.
![US President Joe Biden greets military personnel on arrival at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, on Feb. 2, 2024, to attend the transfer of the remains of three US service members killed in the drone attack on the US military outpost in Jordan.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-02/GettyImages-1973391500.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=uwsFn37Q)
Iran says it won’t interfere in Lebanon-Israel border talks
Tehran will still need to sign off on deal if it happens; Iran and Sudan; Netanyahu is a prisoner of hostage talks; US rethinks its force posture in Syria and Iraq; and a US envoy says Israel must be ‘absolutely sure’ in Gaza military operations.
![JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-01/GettyImages-1942368749.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=3lneU2XR)
From Davos, all roads lead to the Middle East
At the World Economic Forum, Al-Monitor interviewed regional decision-makers on economics, energy, environment, governance and conflict across the region.
![(L-R) Bloomberg Television's journalist Francine Lacqua, Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan, President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde, Co-chairman of the private equity firm of The Carlyle Group David Rubenstein, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attend a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 19,](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-01/GettyImages-19367266211.jpg?h=3d024eaf&itok=TGhUoHVs)
Pagination
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.
![JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-07/GettyImages-1230516369.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=-Zxq4qmm)
Lebanon FM warns of 'devastating’ regional war if Israel escalates campaign against Hezbollah
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanon's top diplomat, Abdallah Bou Habib, adds that security in the south ultimately depends on a strong Lebanese army and an agreement on the border – not war.
![BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 15: Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib speaks to the media following talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on December 15, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. The two diplomats discussed mutual measures to prevent the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict from expanding to other regions, among other issues. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-07/GettyImages-1857491748.jpg?h=9855f42d&itok=rgoJZYYE)
US, Iran guarantors of shaky deterrence between Israel and Hezbollah
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is not ready to go to the mattresses over the killing of another senior commander on Wednesday, and Iran doesn't want a war while it favors the threat of confrontation as a deterrent.
![A portrait of Musa al-Sadr sits amid the rubble of a destroyed building in the heavily damaged, Hezbollah stronghold town of Aita al Chaab on June 29, 2024 in Aita al Chaab, Lebanon. Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been trading cross-border fire since the October 7 attacks, with the conflict escalating in May when the group launched a missile-carrying drone against Israel for the first time. The conflict intensified in June when Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets and drones at Israeli m](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-07/GettyImages-2159834748.jpg?h=4296c093&itok=iuOsSvRF)
G42-Microsoft partnership in Kenya 'just the beginning,' says UAE trade minister
In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi discusses momentum in UAE trade with the US, the benefits of economic diversification and Africa’s priority in UAE trade policy.
![Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) listens to a speech by United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (R) during the inauguration of the newly built floating solar power plant on the water that can generate 192 mega watts of peak electricity in cooperation between the Indonesian government and Masdar from the UAE, at Cirata Reservoir, West Java, on November 9, 2023. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP) (Photo by BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2024-06/GettyImages-1771551969.jpg?h=1dfc45c8&itok=YsgRPZu4)