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.
Christmas trees in Aleppo?
A new roof in Bethlehem, a desecrated altar in Diyarbakir, Christmas trees in Aleppo and an appreciation of “fellow travelers” in faith.
![Syrians gather around a Christmas tree in Aleppo's government controlled Aziziyah neighbourhood on December 31, 2016. / AFP / George OURFALIAN (Photo credit should read GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/12-1/GettyImages-630715962.jpg/GettyImages-630715962.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=aIxsma_m)
Is Trump’s Jerusalem decision winner for Iran?
Islamic Jihad gains momentum in the Gaza Strip, US-Jordan relations are shaken, US-Turkey relations worsen and Iran reaps the benefits without lifting a finger.
![Worshippers sit around before Friday prayers on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, as Palestinians call for a "Day of Rage" in response to President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital December 15, 2017 REUTERS/Ammar Awad](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/12-1/RTX3SCAJ.jpg/RTX3SCAJ.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=enM_8Ntg)
Has US given up on Middle East diplomacy?
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calls on Saudis to "consider consequences" of actions; Is Lebanese President Michel Aoun making the right call on Hariri?
![United States ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley addresses the U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S., December 8, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid - RC1606383520](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/12-1/RTX3NDRC.jpg/RTX3NDRC.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=0zKBuPAi)
Israel 'will not blink' on Iranian missiles
The Israel Defense Forces set new red lines for Iran; Erdogan still waiting for Russian dividend on Kurds; Russia expands use of private military companies in Syria; the Islamic State and al-Qaeda at war in the Sinai Peninsula.
![RTX37KIM.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/11-1/RTX37KIM.jpg/RTX37KIM.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=MXFKleOf)
Is Saudi crown prince winning or losing in the Middle East?
With Saad Hariri staying on as prime minister in Lebanon, the Saudi crown prince has suffered another setback in his efforts to counter Iran.
![RTS1IVM9.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/11-1/RTS1IVM9.jpg/RTS1IVM9.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=WMJ38Tpp)
Can Lebanon handle truth about Hariri, Saudi Arabia?
Saad Hariri faces his own court of conscience; US-Iran relations revert to axis of evil days.
![Posters depicting Saad al-Hariri, who announced his resignation as Lebanon's prime minister from Saudi Arabia, is seen at airport high way in Beirut, Lebanon November 19, 2017. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi - RC119900A480](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/11-1/RTS1KLIS.jpg/RTS1KLIS.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=9YCFY2vv)
Is US counseling restraint to Saudi crown prince?
Saudi Arabia claims two "acts of war" in one week; Israel and Syria both back the Druze.
![Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) speaks with members of the royal family during an allegiance pledging ceremony in Mecca, Saudi Arabia June 21, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1D46E7F800](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/11-1/RTS184CT.jpg/RTS184CT.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=gqhVJhns)
Putin, Khamenei agree they need each other
Iran and Russia deepen energy cooperation; Iran has Hezbollah’s back; does the CIA have a back channel to Assad?
![Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to meet with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia October 30, 2017. REUTERS/Kirill Kudryavtsev/Pool - RC1E30F1E010](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/11-1/RTS1HOD4.jpg/RTS1HOD4.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=aGEQ1bRT)
Putin resets Iraqi energy landscape as Barzani steps aside
Russian moves maximize leverage as US stumbles on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units; Massoud Barzani resigns as Kurdistan Region president; Syria and Russia take initiative with regard to local governance in Syria.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia September 7, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - RC1584AB80C0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/10-1/RTX3F2TM.jpg/RTX3F2TM.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=8Owast7v)
Are Russia, Iran outflanking the US in Iraq?
Russia deftly manages potentially choppy ties with Iran, while the United States claims Iran "subverting Iraq."
![Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attend a signing ceremony following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 28, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - LR1ED3S15XREP](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2017/10-1/RTX332TJ.jpg/RTX332TJ.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Ob-4Ejak)
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)