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.
Iran sends a powerful signal to counter Iraqi nationalist trend
Iraqi populist Muqtada al-Sadr’s trip to Iran presents opportunity for the United States.
![19170.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/09/19170.jpg/19170.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=OkL_knAI)
Putin can’t save Erdogan from Idlib quagmire
The Russian president ultimately sees Bashar al-Assad as the solution to Turkey’s border crisis, but is playing a long game.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak during their meeting on the sidelines of the MAKS-2019 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky outside Moscow, Russia, August 27, 2019. Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via REUTERS - RC147D99BA60](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/09/RTS2O2LW.jpg/RTS2O2LW.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=txGrZNvp)
Rouhani says he doesn’t want photo-op with Trump — but maybe he should
French President Emmanuel Macron, the man in the middle, is appealing to both sides for compromise.
![French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during a joint press conference at the end of the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer - RC128C49AAC0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/RTS2NYMG.jpg/RTS2NYMG.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=RraGrOYF)
US influence on the line if Israel has 'free hand' to bomb Iraq
Israeli attacks in Iraq signal need for some red lines with Iran.
![Members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) stand guard at Popular Mobilization Forces Media Center in Baghdad, Iraq July 2, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily - RC11A11145C0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/RTS2KJ2V.jpg/RTS2KJ2V.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=rpjsPzjs)
Putin’s Gulf security plan depends on Trump
The Russian president plans to roll out his regional initiative to calm Gulf tensions next month — but are the United States and the EU ready to let Putin step up in the Gulf?
![The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson conducts flight operations while underway in the Arabian Gulf in this U.S. Navy handout photo dated April 4, 2011. He may have been America's enemy number one, but after U.S. forces killed him in Pakistan, Osama bin Laden was afforded Islamic religious rites by the U.S. military as part of his surprise at-sea burial on Monday. The body was transported to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which brought him to his final resting place somewhere in the north](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/RTR2LX4A.jpg/RTR2LX4A.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=QivWbP4u)
Why Egypt matters — maybe more than ever
The US-Egyptian partnership deepens in Sinai, but human rights issues won’t go away.
![U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC1EB24996A0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/RTX3H7ON.jpg/RTX3H7ON.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=fJi8MoQ6)
Tinderbox: Israeli military attacks in Iraq could complicate US strategy in Middle East
Washington may need to draw some red lines to protect its larger regional interests.
![Israeli Air Force F-35 flies during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim air base in southern Israel December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1B826A4350](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/RTX6JWQZ.jpg/RTX6JWQZ.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=yNyxW6tK)
Shadow war: Egypt and Iran battle for influence in Gaza
It looks like Khamenei and Hamas leaders agree on everything ... but is the reality more or less than meets the eye? Iran gains traction even with the PA; Egypt looks to take the diplomatic lead; closing the Iranian margins.
![TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 22: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY MANDATORY CREDIT - "IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei (2nd R) meets Saleh al-Arouri (3rd R), deputy leader of Hamas, in Tehran, Iran on July 22, 2019. (Photo by IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/GettyImages-11571975421.jpg/GettyImages-11571975421.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=lnkgMB-I)
While the world focuses on Iran, a tragedy is ‘unfolding before our eyes’ in Idlib
Trump asks Putin to protect Idlib; Putin seeks options to capitalize on impasse in Syria safe zone talks; Russia wins on S-400 sale to Turkey.
![IDLIB, SYRIA - JULY 16 : Smoke rises after airstrikes by Assad Regime hit the de-escalation zone of Maar Shurin village in Idlib, Syria on July 16, 2019. At least 9 civilians were killed and 14 injured. (Photo by Izeddin Idilbi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/GettyImages-1155888177.jpg/GettyImages-1155888177.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=BYhErhT-)
Traps abound as Iraq charts independent course based on ‘national vision’
Iraq's new foreign policy vision promotes noninterference and economic integration; Turkey's bombing of PKK sites in Iraq's Qandil Mountains tests Baghdad's resolve.
![LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: The President of Iraq, Barham Salih meets with UK Prime Minister, Theresa May (unseen) at 10 Downing Street on June 25, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe - WPA Pool/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/GettyImages-1151857846.jpg/GettyImages-1151857846.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=KsJEbqec)
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)