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.
Welcome to the beginning of the end of Iraq's post-Saddam era
For Iraq’s youth, it’s been a failure.
![A demonstrator wears a mask as he carries a sign with a picture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs, and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Wissm al-Okili REFILE - ADDING INFORMATION - RC1E4D782810](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/11/RTS2TDV5.jpg/RTS2TDV5.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=flLr0ata)
Against odds, Netanyahu revives his fortunes
The Israeli prime minister takes out a terrorist foe, puts Iran’s Soleimani on notice and effectively sinks rival’s chances to form a new government — not a bad week.
![Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC29AD910BSB](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/11/RTX78N50.jpg/RTX78N50.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=bJkVmXCa)
Can Trump, Erdogan pick up the pieces in Syria?
Putin gains from the fallout in US-Turkey ties and the Kurds are still counting on US influence with Ankara.
![U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attend the start of the NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium July 11, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC117DD2EDF0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/11/RTX6APIP.jpg/RTX6APIP.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=16TmKnGa)
Iran not letting Iraq go without a fight
Iraqi protesters have had enough of Iran’s heavy hand, but don’t expect the Iranians to pack up and go home.
![An Iraqi female demonstrator waves an Iraqi flag during an ongoing anti-government protest, in Baghdad, Iraq November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah - RC164BCA0C20](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/11/RTS2TSWN.jpg/RTS2TSWN.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=X_Jyti7G)
How Lebanon is setting the standard for a new social contract in the Middle East
Sectarianism gives way to economics and governance.
![Demonstrators carry Lebanese flags during an anti-government protest in the mainly Druze town of Hasbaya, Lebanon October 25, 2019. REUTERS/Aziz Taher - RC1D8675FAA0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/10/RTS2SS01.jpg/RTS2SS01.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=c3XRHCpZ)
Iraq on low boil in anticipation of renewed protests
The crisis in Syria has only made Iraq’s problems worse.
![A member of Iraqi federal police stands guard in a street in Baghdad, Iraq October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Wissm al-Okili - RC160EF8FEE0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/10/RTX76KU9.jpg/RTX76KU9.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=9wUog6YE)
Why Egypt’s economic reforms aren’t enough to win over the street
A new report shows significant progress in Egypt, but demonstrations are placing new pressures on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to do more to battle corruption.
![21 September 2019, Egypt, Cairo: Protesters shout slogans during a rare anti-government protest in Downtown Cairo. (Best quality available) Photo: Oliver Weiken/dpa (Photo by Oliver Weiken/picture alliance via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/10/GettyImages-1169917311.jpg/GettyImages-1169917311.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=RhfGvzG3)
Iraqi youth to government: We’re not going to take it
As young Iraqis vent against their government, Iran is already positioning itself for the fallout, as its proxies hit the streets.
![Demonstrators gather at a protest during a curfew, two days after the nationwide anti-government protests turned violent, in Baghdad, Iraq October 3, 2019. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC17F2432F10](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/10/RTX75XLN.jpg/RTX75XLN.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=sNDG1vYP)
UN Syria envoy opens door to resolving 8½-year war
The establishment of a constitutional committee is a big step, but UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen knows he is just getting started.
![UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in Damascus, Syria in this handout released by SANA on September 23, 2019. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. - RC1563B6A370](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/09/RTX749CX.jpg/RTX749CX.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=ET_VA4UA)
Two to watch at the UN General Assembly: Turkey’s Erdogan and Iraq’s Salih
Turkish leader meets Trump ahead of safe-zone deadline; Iraqi president offers new direction for Iraq and region.
![Iraq's President Barham Salih gestures during a news conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (not pictured) at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq March 11, 2019. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani - RC168FC63C00](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/09/RTX6QMIN.jpg/RTX6QMIN.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=WuOL4tuC)
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)