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.
Familiar problems for Biden in Israel
The US is concerned about Israeli settlement policies, recent actions toward the Palestinians, and trade with China, but these issues are more likely to blow over than blow up.
![Biden Bennett](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-10/GettyImages-1234897198.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=eYDiu53v)
With Nile talks stalled, Ethiopia plans to fill dam, buy Turkish drones
Meanwhile, Sudan’s democratic transition faces ‘worst and most dangerous’ crisis.
![Sudan Nile](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-10/GettyImages-1230841511.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=iEIjDGP9)
Erdogan’s latest threats in Syria test limits with Biden, Putin
The Turkish president’s warnings are targeted as much at Washington and Moscow as they are at Syria’s Kurds.
![Turkish and Russian military vehicles patrol in the countryside of Rumaylan (Rmeilan) in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province near the Turkish border, on Sept. 16, 2021.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-10/GettyImages-1235290168.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=ws7EzEZV)
Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain
US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election.
![Iran nuclear](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-10/GettyImages-1235378067.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=5SsENExm)
Is US-Turkey alliance at a breaking point?
After meeting with Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slams US (again), but ties between Turkey and Russia have their own strains and limits.
![Erdogan Putin](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-10/GettyImages-1235574114.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=6PKRbOUY)
Sisi warns of ‘grave threat’ from Ethiopia over Nile dispute
Egypt in focus: The Nile and Climate Change; Blinken and Shoukry talk civil rights; Sex ed from "Mother Being;" Atheists, and sharks attacks…in less than 1000 words!
![Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi is seen on video screens as he addresses the annual gathering in New York City for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sept. 21, 2021 in New York City.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-09/GettyImages-1235408500.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=J23kSmIl)
Turkey faces gathering storm in Syria
Erdogan’s choices limited as Russian-backed Syrian forces increase attacks, weigh final assault on Idlib
![Turkey military](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-09/GettyImages-1235290369.jpg?h=1467a2aa&itok=EfWjQMdj)
Jailbreak unites Palestinians, confounds Israelis
And: required reading to understand the last two decades in the Middle East: the 'Axis of Evil' speech
![Arab Israeli protesters lift Palestinian flags and spoons, reportedly the digging tool used by six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from Israel's Gilboa prison, as they demonstrate in the mostly Arab city of Umm al-Fahm in northern Israel, on Sept. 10, 2021, to denounce punitive measures taken by the Israel Prison Service against Palestinian prisoners following the jailbreak.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-09/GettyImages-1235162975.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=rN6VITOg)
Boxed in: Bennett, Abbas can’t win despite ‘goodwill gestures’
Domestic politics are complicating any moves toward better ties, and Hamas is seeking an advantage by stoking resistance.
![Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett looks on during a plenum session on the state budget on Sept. 2, 2021.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-09/GettyImages-1235015663.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=jCCemOkB)
Are Syrian jihadis ready to take the fight to Afghanistan?
Afghanistan revives terror challenges for Washington; Russia anticipates security vacuum; Erdogan senses an opportunity.
![Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria celebrates Taliban's declared "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan"](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2021-08/GettyImages-1234775742.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=X83Rg2Oh)
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)